We are excited to announce your three 2021 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Kotara.

Each of the affiliated organisations of the successful heroes will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work to thrive. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

For further information or to discover the Westifield Local Heroes at other Westfield centres, visit the Westfield Local Heroes website.

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Your three Westfield Kotara Local Heroes are:

Christine Jones

LIVEFree Project
Selfless. Inclusive. Generous

Christine (Chris) Jones lives by the motto “always room for one more” and has dedicated her life to serving her local community for decades. Chris is the founder of the LIVEFree Project. She gives her time relentlessly, delivering weekly mentoring, doorstep check-ins, clothing parcels, household goods and furniture to people rebuilding their lives.

Find out more >

Lisa Greissl

Cure Cancer Australia Foundation
Loyal. Empathetic. Giving

Lisa Greissl has devoted the past five years to raising over $110,000 for Cure Cancer while juggling a young family and paid work. In 2018 Lisa started The Big Box Hug initiative, which sells beautiful gift boxes and donates the profits to the foundation. The boxes are gifted to cancer patients.

Find out more >

Luke Conners

#Talk2mebro
Inspiring. Dedicated. Influencer

Luke Conners started Talk2mebro in the Newcastle area in 2019 with the goal to end suicide. Teaching emotional resilience, active listening skills to support others and providing the resources to get support for yourself or others. The former soldier has reached more than 8000 Novocastrians through his work at seminars, retreats, schools, businesses and sports clubs.

If you need support, go to Talk2mebro or phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

Find out more >

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

Amy Harvison from Top Blokes Foundation
Top Blokes Foundation’s Head of Programs & Operations, Amy Harvison encourages thousands of young boys and men to look after their mental health and avoid risky behaviours. She uses her extensive knowledge to develop mentoring programs that help at-risk boys and young men become future leaders.

Ann-Maria Martin from Survivor's R Us Incorporated
Ann-Maria Martin founded Survivors R Us in 2017 to provide much-needed support for women experiencing domestic violence and others needing help to piece their lives back together. Her charity offers food relief, counselling, clothing and furniture.

Justine Russell from Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW
Justine Russell has dedicated the past 10 years to helping vulnerable young people turn their lives around with mentoring, education and support. Justine works and volunteers at the Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC). She goes above and beyond to ensure vulnerable young people have a safe place to play sport, create art and socialise.

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

Recognising all our 2021 nominees

View all of the Westfield Kotara nominees and their organisation