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

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 Hurtsville Local Heroes are:

Liz Diab

The Crateful Group
Generous. Non-judgmental. Amazing

When Liz Diab was volunteering at a community food pantry about 9 years ago, she was dismayed that people were turned away because they didn't have a welfare card to show proof of need. So she started rescuing food to make hampers to ensure nobody falls through the cracks because they don't qualify for government support. She began providing generous hampers of fresh, nutritious food, often a treat to anybody in need. "Households can request a hamper once every three weeks, and all we ask is for a $3 contribution to help cover our running costs," Liz says.

__Find out more > __

Najwa Sawan

Aspect South East Sydney School
Inclusive. Considerate. Caring

Najwa Sawan spent several years volunteering at the Aspect South East Sydney School, providing support to other families and raising funds when her son was a student. After he graduated, the principal offered her a part-time position, and she jumped at the chance to stay on. "I love the work I do and often say that I don't feel like I'm working, just doing what I love," says Najwa, who has been in the role for five years. She also relishes the opportunity to support other parents. "I love to share my experience with families and provide hope to them," Najwa says.

__Find out more > __

Sue-Ellan Vasiliou

little legs foundation
Kind-hearted. Hardworking. Compassionate

Every day is a challenge for Sue-Ellan Vasiliou and her family after losing their beautiful daughter Alegra to brain cancer. But Sue-Ellan is doing everything she can to help support other families and is raising funds for brain cancer awareness and research. She does this through the little legs foundation she set up in memory of Alegra, who was diagnosed with brain cancer days before Christmas in 2016 and passed away 10 months later. "It is knowing that her fight helps others that keeps us going," Sue-Ellan says.

__Find out more > __

We congratulate all of our finalists and nominees and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

View all of the finalists, nominees and their organisations

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

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