Presenting your 2020 Westfield Local Heroes

We are excited to announce your three 2020 successful Westfield Local Heroes for West Lakes.

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 West Lakes Local Heroes are:

Arman Abrahimzadeh

Zahra Foundation Australia
Influencer. Passionate. Caring

After Arman Abrahimzadeh OAM tragically lost his mother to family violence, he and his sisters set up the Zahra Foundation Australia in her honour. Their vision is to instil hope and optimism in the lives of women and children and to provide financial and educational opportunities. “We help break the cycle of violence by preventing women and their children from returning to their abusive environments. We provide financial counselling, which helps women stay on track,” says Arman. He has received several honours and awards for his role in community education about domestic and family violence.

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Mae Johnson

Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Selfless. Determined. Compassionate

Mae Johnson is in Year 12 and has cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. She is a youth ambassador of the Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has raised more than $33,000 for research, most recently by holding Mae’s Tea Party, which 325 people attended. Mae truly shines when she is sharing her story and encouraging others to adopt her positive
approach to managing adversity. But her big hope is a cure. “It would mean we could have the same opportunities as everyone else.

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Pep Rigano

Australian Company of Performing Arts
Passionate. Compassionate. Dedicated.

Pep Rigano has started a dance revolution at the Australian Company of Performing Arts (ACPA), where he has been a teacher for 12 years. The boys' dance classes he introduced several years ago have normalised dance as something boys can and should do. "It started with five little superstars and has grown to over 150 boys doing dance in our school," he says. "This is enormous and quite a rarity." "I guess what I have designed has encouraged boys to develop themselves, their personalities. It also allows them to feel comfortable and supported."

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