We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Hurstville.

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

Your 2022 Westfield Hurstville Local Hero is:

Rhonda Brown

3Bridges Community
Passionate. Energetic. Humble

Energetic Rhonda Brown puts a spring in the step of hundreds of seniors through her popular social groups.

Rhonda works for 3Bridges Community, a charity that enriches the lives of children, families and older people.

Rhonda goes above and beyond when planning more than 30 weekly social groups that collectively attract 500 people aged 65 and older.

She is widely admired for taking the time to ask the seniors what activities they want. As a result, the different groups cater to various interests, including exercise, trivia, music, dancing, outings, art and cooking.

By bringing people together, Rhonda reduces loneliness and promotes wellbeing. She also goes out of her way to acknowledge participants’ diversity by celebrating their significant cultural days.

When COVID temporarily shut the groups, she leapt into action and developed an at-home program that she recorded onto 2000 DVDs. She dropped these off on people’s doorsteps along with fresh snacks and newsletters.

Rhonda considers it a privilege to work in a community where seniors are valued and welcomed, including those with dementia and physical disabilities.

“I am passionate about demonstrating to seniors who have contributed to building and strengthening our communities that they are still appreciated and respected,” Rhonda says.

3Bridges Community Will put the grant towarrds special outings, a garden project and essential equipment.

We also congratulate our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Jacqui Gildaly from The Burdekin Association
Caring Jacqui Gildaly digs deep to keep life regular and happy for children in out-of-home care. In her role with The Burdekin Association, she is always willing to go the extra mile to find carers nearby children’s original community so they don’t need to change schools and can see their friends.

Jane Marsh from St Vincent de Paul Society
Jane Marsh is someone people can count on when facing a crisis or needing help navigating one of life’s challenges. As a Support Centre Coordinator for the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) in Hurstville, she goes above and beyond to help people maintain their dignity regardless of their circumstances

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

Recognising all our 2022 nominees

View all of the Westfield Hurstville nominees and their organisation