We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Whitford City

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

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Your 2022 Westfield Whitford City Local Hero is:

Bev Woolhouse

The Pantry WA Ltd
Inspiring. Caring. Generous

Inspiring Bev Woolhouse works 80 hours a week without pay to help feed 5000 people a month.

Bev is the volunteer CEO of The Pantry WA, a kind and welcoming charity that provides food hampers to people doing it tough.

Bev took on her role after stumbling upon the Pantry’s good work while doing some bookkeeping at the Reality Church in Wangara. She was awestruck and felt a strong need to help.

Bev soon took over as CEO. She put her heart into improving and growing the service, but it outgrew its premises. So, with little money and a big vision, Bev has rented a new home for the charity.

The Pantry not only offers a walk-in food hamper service, but also works with schools, the police and other partners to supply food to families, at-risk youth, homeless people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Pantry's vision is to Give Food, Offer Grace and Build Hope. One of the most heartening aspects for Bev is when grateful food recipients get back on their feet and return to make a donation.

“We believe we have created a safe and non-judgmental community where people can come and receive food hampers without feeling shame,” Bev says.

The Pantry WA will put the grant towards expanding its service with new freezers, packing equipment and delivery van repairs.

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We also congratulate our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Anne Curtis from Fostering Hope Australia
Kind Anne Curtis brightens the day of hundreds of foster carers and children. At the age of 83, Anne is the soul of the Fostering Hope Australia store in Wangara, which provides free clothing and other items to foster families. The children love Anne and look forward to the special treats she’s famous for.

Nicola Henderson from Zephyr Education
Retired teacher Nicola Henderson has single-handedly set up the Western Australian branch of a charity that provides local children with all their school requirements when they are forced to change schools because of domestic violence. As the WA coordinator of Zephyr Education Inc, Nicola raises funds and responds quickly to requests for any school-related items the children need, including uniforms, shoes, books, iPads and computers.

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

Recognising all our 2022 nominees

View all of the Westfield Whitford City nominees and their organisation