We are excited to announce Czeslaw Lawicki from Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Tuggerah!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Czeslaw at Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast 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 Tuggerah Local Hero is:

Czeslaw Lawicki

Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast

Charismatic. Community-minded. Compassionate.

Czeslaw (Czes) Lawicki has dedicated the past six years to enriching the lives of disabled individuals through his love of the ocean and surfing.

As vice president of the Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast, Czes ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can experience the thrill of riding a wave.

The association hosts a series of surfing days throughout the year. Each surf session brings together approximately 200 volunteers and 60 surfers. The local community and businesses support the events by supplying goods and services.

“Providing opportunities to those less fortunate and bringing together community-focused people drives my enthusiasm to encourage a more inclusive society,” says Czes. Participant numbers continue to grow each season, with many surfers travelling from Sydney and further afield to access these events.

Czes takes on the challenge of managing a large group of people in an aquatic environment without fear and says that “safety and enjoyment are paramount” to his team.

Czes has an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in his other endeavours, volunteering with Emergency Rescue Services (MRNSW and SLSA) since 2002, and teaching at St Peter’s Catholic College for 25 years.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Tuggerah Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast will use the grant to purchase modified surf and beach equipment and pay running costs such as insurance.

---

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

Erin Jacob from Coast Shelter

Erin Jacob is dedicated to supporting disengaged young people. As the community, wellbeing, and education manager at Coast Shelter, she coordinates in-school programs across four schools identified by local police as needing additional support. Participants learn power and control, shame, choice, empathy and emotional regulation.

Helen Chisholm from SPCC Young Parents Central Coast

Helen Chisholm is dedicated to helping young parents break generational cycles and improve their futures. At SPCC Young Parents College, she addresses issues like domestic violence, mental health, and parenting struggles. Helen's classes on parenting, sexual health, cooking and nutrition aim to empower young parents to thrive.

---

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

Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Tuggerah nominees and their organisations.