Community
At Westfield, we know our centres are more than just shopping hubs. They are lifestyle destinations where people come to connect, share and inform. Our centres are safe and welcoming, and we engage with our communities through a host of programs and services including the following:
Westfield Local Heroes
Every year we shine a spotlight on individuals who make a positive impact to their local community or environment and provide more than $1.2 million in grants to support their work to grow. Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted by their communities, and they represent a diverse range of sectors. This year, Westfield will award one Westfield Local Hero per Westfield centre a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent. Two finalists for each centre will receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation or group.
To learn more about the program, visit the Westfield Local Heroes website. Or meet your Geelong Local Heroes alumni by clicking on each year: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.
Quiet Time
Westfield Geelong aims to create an inclusive environment for all customers and offer a shopping experience where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
Through our Quiet Time initiative, we look to make a difference to those who face the challenges of shopping in a high sensory environment.
Every Tuesday between 10.30am - 11.30am, the lighting is reduced, the music is changed to a softer playlist and the volume is adjusted to limit sensory over-stimulation. Beyond the common areas in Westfield Geelong, many of our retailers will also participate by dimming the lights and lowering the music in their stores during Quiet Time.
Quiet Time
Every Tuesday, 10:30am-11:30am
Community partnerships
We partner with many local groups and individuals to showcase those things that are relevant to the community; and we work with key leaders to recognise and help address challenges facing the local area. If you would like to understand more about our community engagement partners and activities, please get in touch by referring to the 'contact us' information on this page. You can also read our Responsible Buisness Report here.
Youth engagement
Through our portfolio-wide Youth Resilience Plan, we identify opportunities to help young people to build resilience and to thrive. At a local level, we regularly collaborate with youth and youth services, we engage with schools and run events throughout the year to entertain and educate young people. For more information click here.
Contributing to our local communities
We provide a dedicated space in all Westfield centres for community-focused groups (i.e. not-for-profit sports groups, community groups, charities and welfare organisations) to connect with people in the local area.
Meanwhile, our staff are passionate about giving back and we support them to do this in a variety of ways through Workplace Giving and Volunteering. For more information on any of our programs or services, please call for more information.