Community connector

South West Multicultural and Community Centre Inc
Passionate. Selfless. Committed.

Malaemie (Mal) Fruean thrives on being a community connector and has helped many people during a volunteering and professional career that spans more than 20 years.

Mal is CEO of the South West Multicultural and Community Centre, where she takes a personal interest in everyone who walks through the door.

Mal listens to what people want and guides them into the centre's many programs.

If needed, she connects them with her extensive network of trusted social workers, caseworkers and other service providers.

Services at the centre include a mums and bubs group, exercise classes, language lessons, cultural engagement meetings and a seniors group.

Mal is particularly proud of her food hamper program, the demand for which has soared during COVID-19. She is also pleased with the centre's efforts to help released prisoners reintegrate with society.

Mal is committed to multiculturalism, but she is a proud Maori woman and the centre attracts many Pacific people.

"We encourage people to be proud of their culture but to also engage in the beautiful diversity that we have in NSW," Mal says.

"It is a blessing to do this work, and the reward is being able to open up a pathway for people."

Mal's nominator says: "Mal is committed to others and has assisted, supported, mentored and inspired hundreds of people from all walks of life."

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The community centre will use its grant to help cover the costs of trainers, facilitators and ongoing expenses.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here