We are excited to announce Amanda Giblin from Fierce Females Women’s Self-defence and Empowerment as your 2024 Westfield Helensvale Local Hero!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Amanda Giblin at Fierce Females Women’s Self-defence and Empowerment to continue to grow their impact in the local community.

The 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 125 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Your 2024 Westfield Helensvale Local Hero is:

Amanda Giblin

Fierce Females Women’s Self-defence and Empowerment

Inclusive. Welcoming. Compassionate.

Amanda Giblin provides essential self-defence and empowerment training for women.

Amanda established her organisation, Fierce Females, nine years ago. To date, it has equipped over 5,000 women and girls in the community, helping to reduce gender-based violence.

"I'm driven by the belief that everyone deserves to live free from fear and violence, and through Fierce Females, I am working towards creating a safer and more empowered community," Amanda explains. "Knowing that I play a role in breaking the cycle of abuse and fostering resilience in individuals who have faced unimaginable challenges is a powerful motivator. It's a privilege to be part of their journey towards healing and empowerment."

The Fierce Females self-defence program focuses on the critical 15 minutes between calling for help and the arrival of first responders. Her work reduces re-victimisation and fosters resilience, creating a sisterhood where traumatised women rebuild themselves and support others in the community.

Amanda has overcome many challenges to expand Fierce Females out of a garage and into a dedicated studio, including funding obstacles and gender stereotypes.

Amanda's dedication and compassion have significantly impacted the Northern Gold Coast and Helensvale community, ensuring a safer and more empowered environment for all.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Helensvale Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Fierce Females will use the grant to help to cover the wages of a new employee, allowing an additional 660 women to participate in the Fierce Females program.

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We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalist who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent.

Renee Brescianini from Enriching Lives Foundation

Renee Brescianini founded the Enriching Lives Foundation (ELF) in 2022 to support disadvantaged students by removing financial barriers to education. ELF has already sponsored 70 students this year, providing essential resources to keep them in school. Renee's passion for inclusion and education drives her work, aiming to expand ELF's reach to more schools.

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If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Helensvale nominees and their organisations.