We are excited to announce Shane Martin from Para Hills Cricket Club as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Tea Tree Plaza!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Shane at Para Hills Cricket Club 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.

Your 2024 Westfield Tea Tree Plaza Local Hero is:

Shane Martin*

Para Hills Cricket Club

Inclusive. Selfless. Inspirational.

Shane Martin believes community sporting clubs can foster inclusion, opportunity and belonging while encouraging healthy habits and establishing friendships. That's why he volunteers his time to the Para Hills Cricket Club.

Shane helps in many areas of the club, including working as cricket director, junior coordinator and mental wellbeing officer. His commitment to the club has led to significant improvements in inclusivity and participation, especially among junior girls and women. Shane has also been instrumental in developing the club's first A-grade premiership for senior girls and establishing an inclusive cricket league for those with intellectual disabilities.

Shane is motivated from a desire to provide a space for all people to enjoy sport and feel supported. "I believe that by putting community aspirations at the heart of a club, you create a space for people to feel safe, included and offer the ability to forge friendships that last a lifetime,” he says. Shane’s leadership has increased the club's diversity by almost 40% and achieved an 89% retention rate for juniors.

Beyond his coaching roles, Shane actively supports the club by managing sponsorships, overseeing the canteen and ensuring smooth game-day operations. Shane was awarded club person of the year in 2023 for his dedication.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes isthe Westfield Tea Tree Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Para Hills Cricket Club will use the grant to upgrade facilities so they are more accessible to people with disabilities.

---

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

Alan Howard-Jones from The Rotary Club of Modbury Golden Grove

Alan Howard-Jones is dedicated to community support and improvement. As president of The Rotary Club of Modbury Golden Grove, he has enhanced youth and school programs, partnered with local sports organisations, and increased membership. Alan exemplifies the club's commitment to unity, service and leadership.

Gabrielle Jury from Talk Out Loud

Gabrielle Jury is dedicated to empowering youth and destigmatising mental health. As a volunteer mentor with Talk Out Loud, Gabrielle shares her experiences as a sexual abuse survivor to raise awareness of the mental health implications that survivors face. Her resilience, empathy and generosity inspire others to overcome their own adversity.

---

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

Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Tea Tree Plaza nominees and their organisations.