Announcing your 2023 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce Marnie Robertson from Grainery Care Inc as your 2023 Westfield Local Hero for Kotara!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Marnie and Grainery Care Inc to continue to grow their impact in the local community

The 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million to support local communities.

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

Your 2023 Westfield Kotara Local Hero is:

Marnie Robertson

Grainery Care Inc

Motivated. Generous. Loving.

Generous Marnie Robertson works enthusiastically to provide food to hungry people across the Hunter Valley.

Marnie volunteers at Grainery Care, a charity that supports people in distress without judgment about their background.

Marnie is a domestic violence survivor who has risen from her challenges to become one of the most effective and committed volunteers at Grainery Care.

Nothing is too much trouble for Marnie, whose standard response to any request is: “Not a problem.”

Her main contribution is providing food to people in need through her many shifts at the Foodcare Centre in Mayfield over several years. In addition, Marnie regularly delivers food parcels across the Newcastle region, often at her own expense.

Marnie also gives her all to fundraising, cooking and serving guests at weekly community dinners. She has even helped renovate the new Grainery Care Centre, assembling cabinetry, repairing furniture and painting alongside the other volunteers.

With her soft and caring heart, Marnie wants people to feel wanted, loved and connected with their community. She feels honoured to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “I know what it’s like to be homeless. I just want to help others in the same way that Grainery Care helped me.”

Grainery Care will put its funds towards renovating accommodation for teenage mothers who want to complete their schooling.

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

Ann-Maria Martin from SURVIVOR'S R US

Ann-Maria Martin is a beacon of light and support for many local people who need relief from domestic violence, homelessness or unemployment. Ann-Maria is the founder and leader of Survivor’s R Us, a non-profit enterprise whose services include free psychosocial counselling, The Pantry discount store, an op-shop and free meals.

Claudia Tolhurst from Hunter Melanoma Foundation

Claudia Tolhurst is the local driving force behind preventing melanoma, catching it early and supporting those stricken by it. As the Executive Officer of the Hunter Melanoma Foundation, Claudia is on a mission to save lives with free popup Spot Checks and by teaching children and adults to be sun safe.

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