Announcing your 2023 Westfield Local Hero
We are excited to announce Gareth Williams from The Boxing Shop: Boxing Beyond Barriers as your 2023 Westfield Local Hero for Mt Gravatt!
Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Gareth and The Boxing Shop: Boxing Beyond Barriers 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.
Nominations for the 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program are open now. If you know someone who's making an impact, nominate them as a Westfield Local Hero - nominate here.
Your 2023 Westfield Mt Gravatt Local Hero is:
Gareth Williams
The Boxing Shop: Boxing Beyond Barriers
Dedicated. Inspirational. Selfless.
Compassionate Gareth Williams positively influences thousands of youth with his innovative school-based boxing program, The Boxing Shop.
Gareth is the founder and leader of The Boxing Shop, a successful gym from where he runs an outreach program at 30 schools and community groups for disengaged youth.
Known as Boxing Beyond Barriers, Gareth’s program helps his students turn their lives around and learn respect, discipline and self-belief.
Gareth uses boxing training as a backdrop to give life lessons that encourage his young students to find their passion and chase happiness.
By engaging the children in his fun, educational and fitness-oriented activities, Gareth is the perfect role model to motivate them to want more for themselves and others.
Gareth leads by example with his exemplary work ethic and provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe to share their story.
There are many success stories, and Gareth loves the example of a student who was known for getting into fights at school. After attending Boxing Beyond Barriers, he turned this around and became known for breaking up fights.
Gareth is proud to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “I hope to continue my work with disengaged youth for many years ahead,” he says.
The Boxing Shop: Boxing Beyond Barriers will be able to reach an additional five schools and will start a scholarship program to reward youth who are making good progress.
We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...
Jo Westh from 4 Voices Global Limited
Jo Westh is the founder of the 4 Voices Global, an organisation she create to find her own voice and help other women find theirs. The volunteer-run charity offers digital and social connection in three vans that park at 16 Queensland locations.
Yasmin Khan from The Bangle Foundation
Yasmin Khan is the founder of The Bangle Foundation, where she has spent 10 years as a beacon of hope for hundreds of local South Asian Australian women affected by domestic violence. Yasmin’s volunteers are on call 24 hours a day and have the cultural knowledge and language to understand the unique needs of migrants.
If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14
Recognising all our 2023 nominees
View all of the Westfield Mt Gravatt nominees and their organisations.
What's happening
What's happening
Enter daily between 13 May - 26 May via the Westfield app for more chances to win.
From 29 April - 26 May 2024, park your car using our Valet service to enjoy this offer.
Escape the Cold. Get $50 Off Jackets and Coats.
Discover the new UNIQLO store and take advantage of exclusive opening offers.
Purchase Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum and receive FREE deluxe minis
Find your new glasses from Coach eyewear.
Book an eye test for your child
Feed the whole fam, from only $49.90.
Time for a check up?
Find your perfect pair today with up to 50% off frame and lenses* at OPSM.
Uniqlo is opening at Westfield Mt Gravatt
The Pantone Color Institute teamed up with Zara to create a unique palette for Zara’s newest collection.