Presenting your 2020 Westfield Local Heroes

We are excited to announce your three 2020 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Helensvale.

These inspiring local leaders were nominated and voted for by the community and will now be awarded a $10,000 grant for each of their affiliated organisations to help their important work to grow.

Westfield Local Heroes is a community recognition and grants program, connecting and enriching local communities. Launched in 2018, the program spans our 42 trade areas across Australia and New Zealand. In 2020, we are awarding $1.26 million to 126 local organisations.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.

Your three Westfield Helensvale Local Heroes are:

Amy O'Rourke

Children's Tumour Foundation
Courageous. Empathetic. Admirable

Amy O’Rourke’s son William has Neurofibromatosis (NF), a condition that causes benign and malignant tumours to form throughout the central nervous system. As a mental health nurse, Amy’s first instinct has been to fight for greater understanding of the condition and to advocate for him and other families living with NF. Despite being a busy Mum and working full-time for Queensland Health, Amy has taken on a leading role with the Children’s Tumour Foundation who represent families with NF. “I use my time to help others understand NF, to fundraise for a cure and to support families of newly diagnosed children in particular. It is a lonely journey, but I hope my positivity helps others to get through the tough times," Amy says.

Find out more >

Jane Padden

Christmas Presents for Kids in Care
Inspiring. Hardworking. Dedicated

Teenagers in residential care are often the forgotten children of the welfare system and may be longing for a foster home. Jane Padden is doing what she can to ensure that nearly 400 young people feel remembered this Christmas, thanks to her charity Christmas Presents for Kids in Care. While Jane can’t meet the kids because of their circumstances, their carers report the gifts are eagerly anticipated and bring huge smiles to their faces. “By providing a gift for them on Christmas Day, we want them to know that someone is thinking of them with kindness and love and wishing them the very best life can give them.”

Find out more >

Melanie (Mel) McKenzie

Harrison's Little Wings
Compassionate. Passionate. Available

Melanie Mckenzie is devoted to supporting mothers who have been given a grim diagnosis during pregnancy. She founded Harrison's Little Wings in 2010 following the birth of her fourth child, Harrison, who lived for only 28 hours due to an incurable condition. As Harrison had been diagnosed at his 20-week scan, Melanie and her family faced months of emotional turmoil before this birth. "Harrison's Little Wings is designed to hold the hand of these families, providing them with compassion, understanding, guidance and friendship," says Melanie. Melanie also successfully advocated for the Gold Coast University Hospital to improve its model of care.

Find out more >