Presenting your 2022 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Southland.

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

Your 2022 Westfield Southland Local Hero is:

Simone Hardham

Mindful Makings Inc
Giving. Empathetic. Committed

Story body-Southland Simone Hardham

Generous Simone Hardham has developed a novel way to help local people struggling with mental illness or seclusion.

In addition to a demanding full-time role with Emergency Management Victoria and Department of Health, Simone is the founder of the non-profit Mindful Makings. This local volunteer-run initiative combines the benefits of mindfulness with enjoyable creative workshops led by experts in different crafts.

Driven by the motto of Create, Connect, Be Present, Simone helps people maintain positive mental health while experiencing community connection.
Although Simone launched Mindful Makings just before the start of the COVID pandemic, she has made a go of it. So far, the non-profit has held face-to-face workshops for more than 200 people from various local government areas.
The workshops are small and personal, with participants able to choose from activities including drawing, woodwork, painting, writing, gardening or macramé.

Simone has been a committed supporter of mental health charities since 2014 when her father passed away from suicide. She was named 2021 Kingston Woman of the Year in recognition of her volunteering efforts for mental health and community service.

“We have been able to create an environment where participants can put aside their mental and physical health concerns,” Simone says.

Mindful Makings will put the grant towards launching much-needed mindfulness programs for men and teens

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

We also congratulate our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Local Heroes P3 2022 Web Asset 2400x1028 - Southland - Main size

Mat Card from Acoye
Passionate Mat Card is determined to make a difference for the environment through Acoye, his small business that produces a concrete-like material called Ambicrete from recycled solar panels and other forms of waste glass.

Maureen Boaler from Story Dogs
Maureen Boaler has helped more than 300 local children learn to read over the past five years as a volunteer for Story Dogs. Children love reading to her non-judgmental basset hound, Milo.

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