Westfield Local Heroes 2019

Westfield Local Heroes is a recognition and awards program that connects and enriches communities in Australia and New Zealand. The program discovers and celebrates individuals who make a positive impact to their local community and/or environment.

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

Brooke Wilkie

*Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation *
__Inclusive . Passionate . Selfless __

Keen footballer Brooke Wilkie leads a large team of disability support staff at western Sydney charity NADO. In 2013 she spent much of her own time setting up NADO’s Penrith Touch Football team after she realised many fans were being relegated to the sidelines because of their disabilities. Through her devoted support, the team now has 70 players who experience the joy and tears of winning and losing as well as gaining ball skills and learning about teamwork. “Young people who once had little to talk about to friends and family now have their own proud story to tell,” says Brooke.

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Christy Hartlage

YAWN Program
__Enthusiastic . Caring . Knowledgeable __

When Christy Hartlage moved to the Blue Mountains from New Zealand, she had a 10-month-old son who didn’t sleep and no support in the area. “I would often cry wishing we had a grandmother nearby who wanted to hold the baby so I could have a shower or something to eat.” YAWN (You Ask, We Nurture), was born eight years ago out of Christy’s desperation “and the amazing community support we eventually found”. Christy runs YAWN as part of Connect Child and Family Services and links volunteers with parents who need a helping hand.

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Nicole Celeban

*Nepean Therapy Dogs *
__Tireless . Selfless . Empathetic __

Imagine an anxious child waiting to give evidence in court, a lonely person in a nursing home or an isolated school student. That’s where Nicole Celeban, President of Nepean Therapy Dogs, and her team of well-trained human and canine volunteers step in. They live the charity’s mission statement, “always there to show they care”, by comforting people of all ages at hospitals, nursing homes, special needs schools and courts throughout western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The visits are extremely rewarding, says Nicole, who regularly takes her four dogs to visit hospital patients and witnesses.

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