Presenting your 2020 Westfield Local Heroes

We are excited to announce your three 2020 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Tea Tree Plaza.

These inspiring local leaders were nominated and voted for by the community and will now be awarded a $10,000 grant for each of their affiliated organisations to help their important work to grow.

Westfield Local Heroes is a community recognition and grants program, connecting and enriching local communities. Launched in 2018, the program spans our 42 trade areas across Australia and New Zealand. In 2020, we are awarding $1.26 million to 126 local organisations.

In February 2021, we will open nominations for the 2021 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference

Your three Westfield Tea Tree Plaza Local Heroes are:

Jodie Turpin

Lobethal Bushfire Recovery Centre
Selfless. Kind. Hardworking

Jodie Turpin was among the many standout volunteers in the Cudlee Creek Fires emergency disaster. She took on the challenging role of logistics manager at the Lobethal Bushfire Recovery Centre. Jodie was there to help set up the centre within 12 hours of the disaster, and she volunteered for more than 80 days after that. What touched many people, was that she always found time to give a hug and lend a listening ear. "I have always loved my community and to be able to help was a very rewarding experience that I will hold close to my heart," Jodie says.

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Samuel (Sam) Weavers

Childhood Cancer Association
Dedicated. Altruistic. Inspiring

Sam Weavers is only 12 years old, but he is inspiring other children to pitch in and raise funds for kids with cancer. In 2018 he established a fundraising program called Kids4Kids. Although initially nervous about public speaking, Sam gives talks to schools, encouraging other students to help sell his fundraising popcorn pails, with the profits going to the Childhood Cancer Association. So far, Kids4Kids has donated nearly $10,000 to the association.

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Sarah Bisbal

With Love Formal Wear
Resilient. Empowered. Uplifting

Sarah Bisbal was in Year 12 when her mum passed away and her aunt Joss Adele took her in. Ten years later, Sarah and her aunt have co-founded a charity that provides teenagers with free outfits for their Year 7 Graduation and Year 12 Formal. Their charity is called With Love Formal Wear. It brings joy and recognition to people in foster or kinship care, but any vulnerable student is welcome. "Our aim is to give young people a moment in time where they feel their best and get to be part of something big," Sarah says.

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