Westfield Local Heroes is a recognition and awards program that connects and enriches communities in Australia and New Zealand. The program discovers and celebrates individuals who make a positive impact to their local community and/or environment.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.

Kym Meers

The Epilepsy Centre SA
__Humble . Devoted . Selfless __

Kym Meers could not find guidance and support when her daughter Izla was diagnosed with a catastrophic form of epilepsy at the age of four months. She decided she wanted to save other families from the same anguish and founded a movement known as Izla's Purple Crusade in honour of her daughter. In the past six years, Kym has raised more than $140,000 to support children and families with Epilepsy all over South Australia. “We bring communities together,” says Kym, whose work is closely aligned with The Epilepsy Centre SA. “Our journey has created a huge amount of awareness, understanding and fundraising.”

Find out more >

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Rikki Cooke

Treasure Boxes
__Passionate . Dedicated . Kind __

Social worker and regular foster carer Rikki Cooke has a phenomenal drive to nurture children in need. Following a challenging experience when four emergency foster children arrived without any necessities, Rikki started a charity, Treasure Boxes, that provides free clothing, toys, books, linen, cots, car seats, prams and homewares to families escaping domestic violence or for children going into foster care. “I created Treasure Boxes based on a huge need in the community to give back while acknowledging that there are over 22,500 children living in disadvantage in South Australia alone,” says Rikki.

Find out more >

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Barry Nitschke

Le Fevre Community Children's Centre
__Generous . Selfless . Hardworking __

Barry Nitschke lives next door to the Le Fevre Community Children's Centre and has been helping out in one way or another since it opened in 1969.His volunteering became more formal and regular when he retired from his job as a port worker about 30 years ago.He’s a 24-hour caretaker, bike and toy repairman, groundsman and sausage sizzle turner. Not only that, he shares his yard with the centre, allowing the children to play under his large Norfolk pine.“By doing all these jobs I save the centre a few bob,” he says.

Find out more >

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Recognising all our 2019 nominees

We congratulate all of our finalists and nominees and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.
View all of the finalists, nominees and their organisations

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