We are excited to announce your three 2019 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Westfield Kotara.

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 40 trade areas across Australia and New Zealand. In 2019, we are awarding $1.2 million to 120 local organisations.

In February 2020, we will open nominations for the 2020 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference

Your three Westfield Kotara Local Heroes are:

Carly Reasbeck

Got Your Back Sista
Dedicated . Supportive . Compassionate

Carly Reasbeck is a former Australian martial arts champion, but little compares to the pride she feels when helping women regain their confidence after domestic violence. Carly is a self-defence trainer at Got Your Back Sista and teaches women and girls how to protect themselves, which also improves their physical fitness and emotional well-being. “I am passionate about women's rights and empowering women through my work,” says Carly, who is a confidant, role-model and mentor to her students. Her lessons support the organisation’s goal of helping women to lead socially connected lives free from violence.

Find out more >

Philippa Woolf

NSW Police Legacy
Industrious . Compassionate . Dependable

Philippa Woolf was a member of the NSW Police for 26 years until her retirement in 2010 and her husband is still a police officer. Soon after her retirement, she volunteered for the NSW Police Legacy, which is the charity for the NSW Police Force and their families. Since then, Philippa has been working tirelessly across the Hunter region to ensure that everyone receives the care they deserve. She is patient and compassionate and regularly checks in on people of all ages and provides the charity with updates on their needs.

Find out more >

Steve Poulton

Soul Cafe
Compassionate . Hardworking . Generous

Steve Poulton was a rugby league star who won grand finals with Wests Newcastle in the 1980s, however, he also partook in unhealthy behaviours during this time. He has since given up his unhealthy habits and for the past 14 years has been volunteering for 20 hours a week at the Soul Café charity, collecting donated food from restaurants and cooking breakfasts for homeless people. “I like talking to the different people who come in. Some of these guys have no one else to talk to,” Steve says. “I also like working with the other volunteers.”

Find out more >

Recognising all our 2019 nominees

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

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