Your 2025 Westfield Knox Local Hero is:

Ray Siegersma

Rotary Club of Boronia (Youth Skill Shed)

Creative. Proactive. Positive

Every week during a school term at Boronia Heights Primary School, children spend time being instructed by tradespeople to learn a variety of new trade skills and techniques.  
 This is down to Ray, whose ‘Youth Skills Shed’ program brings enjoyment and a sense of achievement to the students, while teaching them practical and communication skills they might not otherwise learn from qualified tradespeople. 

The Shed was Ray’s idea, and to make it work, Ray finds a range of different volunteer tradespeople to share their time and knowledge. They are joined by mentors, often retirees, who assist the children with the weekly projects, allowing them to build relationships with the older generation. Overall, Ray’s initiative fosters a sense of community for all involved.  

Ray is motivated by seeing everyone benefit from the sessions. 
“I love seeing improvement in people, no matter what their age,” he says. “Through the support of the Boronia Rotary Club, our sponsors and tradies, I feel confident that this program can work for the benefit of many, many children. I love to see success and the enjoyment received by others.” 

The feedback for the Shed has been overwhelmingly positive, with children improving their social and communication skills along with the hands-on learning. Ray has plans to roll out the Shed to more schools, both locally and potentially further afield. 

The $20,000 grant will be used to mirror the Shed program in other schools, by providing tools, workbenches, supplies and equipment.

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

Marilyn Lambert from Outer East Foodshare

Marilyn leads a team of volunteers to source and rescue 24 tonnes of food every month, in order to support struggling families in Melbourne’s outer east. The goods they collect, including fruit, vegetables and dairy, are stored in a hub in Wantirna, and then distributed to 46 relief agencies that provide food to more than 5,000 people.

Tim Cook from Outside the Locker Room Charity LTD

Through his work with Outside the Locker Room, Tim shares his personal mental health journey to educate and support others. His outreach in sports clubs, schools, and businesses has impacted thousands of people in his Knox community. By promoting open conversations and tailored education, Tim helps to develop people’s understanding of mental health while simultaneously nurturing their wellbeing.

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Recognising all our 2025 nominees

View all of the Westfield Knox nominees and their organisations