Your 2025 Westfield Southland Local Hero is:

Yvonne Hong

Pets Of The Homeless

Dedicated. Hardworking. Kind.

While volunteering for an animal rescue and a local soup kitchen, Yvonne noticed a lack of support for pet owners experiencing homelessness and started personally distributing pet supplies to those in need. 

When she shared this on social media, the overwhelming response inspired her to set up her charity, Pets of the Homeless (POTH). 

Ten years on, POTH now helps around 1,500 people each year in the local area of Cheltenham, with a focus on keeping them together with their pets by providing essential pet food and care. As a knock-on effect, it reduces pressure on animal shelters. 

POTH has given out more than two and a half million pet meals in that time, assisted more than 2,300 pets with veterinary care, and provided nearly 38,000 days of safe shelter for animals.  

Yvonne has dedicated her life to this mission, because she believes wholeheartedly in the positive impact of the bond between humans and animals. 

“I’ve seen how a pet’s love can give someone the strength to keep going,” she says.  

“Every family we keep together and every pet we protect reminds me why this work matters, especially now, when the need is so great.”

The $20,000 grant will be used to expand their Pet Food Bank to deliver an additional 50,000 pet meals to people experiencing hardship. 

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

Jordan Berger from St John Ambulance Victoria

Jordan, a paramedicine student, volunteers with St John Ambulance’s in Monash Youth Division, training young people in first aid and showing them how to respond to emergencies. Through her volunteering, she is not only providing a vital patient service to the community but also building young people’s confidence and resilience.

Kieran McMahon from Brainwave Bikes

Kieran founded Brainwave Bikes in 2022 to recycle used bicycles, thereby reducing landfill waste, and make cycling available to everyone. The organisation also provides vital employment opportunities and a pathway to suitable jobs for young people with disabilities.

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

Recognising all our 2025 nominees

View all of the Westfield Southland nominees and their organisations.