Announcing your 2024 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce Georgia Hocking from It's Okay, Not to be Okay as your 2024 Westfield Southland Local Hero!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Georgia at It's Okay, Not to be Okay to continue to grow their impact in the local community.

The 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 125 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totaling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Nominations for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program are open now. If you know someone who's making a positive impact, nominate them as a Westfield Local Hero - nominate here.

Your 2024 Westfield Southland local Hero is:

Georgia Hocking

It's Okay, Not to be Okay

Courageous. Inclusive. Passionate.

After Georgia Hocking and her two sisters lost their brother, they set out on a mission to ensure that other people did not have to experience the same grief. Together they founded their not-for-profit, It’s Okay Not to be Okay which advocates for and creates positive change in mental health.

In her role as Director, Georgia runs mental health workshops in primary and high schools, workplaces and sporting clubs, provides grief packs for bereaved families and funds mental health sessions for those unable to afford them.

Georgia's efforts have grown It’s Okay, Not to be Okay to reach over 784,000 followers across multiple social media platforms and have a branded merchandise and clothing range. Supporters say that they often wear the branded clothing on hard days, or to mental health appointments, to give themselves courage.

"Our goal is to reduce stigma, start conversations and provide practical support," says Georgia.

Under Georgia's leadership, It's Okay, Not to be Okay impacted 3,833 people across 14 workshops in 2023. These workshops create a safe and interactive space people can build their mental health toolkit and create change in their own lives.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Southland Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. It's Okay, Not to be Okay will use the grant to pay for 27 workshops to be delivered in local schools, benefiting over 800 students and their families.

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

Alastair Leaver from Mums Supporting Families in Need Inc

Alastair Leaver leads over 60 volunteers and partners with over 80 support agencies to provide essential items to those in need through his role as operations supervisor at Mums Supporting Families in Need (MSFIN). His compassionate approach has fostered a positive environment, helping MSFIN assist over 8,835 people last year.

Amanda Mandie OAM from Koala Kids Foundation

Amanda (Mandy) Mandie OAM is the executive director and co-founder of Koala Kids Foundation. For almost 20 years, Mandy has worked tirelessly to bring happy moments and distraction to children undergoing cancer treatment. Her dedication has mobilised over 300 volunteers, benefiting over 500 children and their families annually.

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