Read about your Westfield Local Hero finalists

Westfield Local Heroes is a community recognition and grants program, connecting and enriching local communities.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the outcome of the public vote determining the three successful 2019 nominees for Westfield Whitford City. Each of the affiliated organisations for the successful three heroes will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work to thrive. In total, Westfield will be awarding 120 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.2 million.

Your Westfield Local Heroes will be announced here on 1 October

Your six finalists for Westfield Whitford City are:

Alex Wilson

Red Frogs Australia
Empathetic. Courageous. Purposeful

Alex Wilson struggled to find a clear direction after leaving high school, but knew he’d found the right vocation after volunteering for Red Frogs Australia. A formidable leader with an ability to see the big picture, Alex works around the clock to provide a support network for university students and school leavers — from acting as the sober friend at parties and organising alcohol-free alternatives to running first-year welcome seminars and helping kids with identity issues. “Our presence at university events means that students know there are a group of people who have their back if something goes wrong,” Alex says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Alex is successful, Red Frogs will boost its presence at Edith Cowan University Joondalup and employ a part-time team member to provide mentorship and training for student leaders. It will also fund alcohol-free events such as Chai, Chill and Tunes and the charity’s famous pancake cook-ups.

Cathy O'Brien

Share the Dignity
Uplifting . Hilarious . Kind

Accountant Cathy O’Brien was so impressed by Share the Dignity’s potential to make a difference in women’s lives that she became a volunteer.She works devotedly to collect donations of personal hygiene products for women experiencing domestic violence, homelessness or poverty.Cathy also established new collection points to increase donations and, as a result, her local area was able to meet all the charity’s orders.“By receiving these essential items, women improve their sense of dignity by not having to go without or make do with substitutes,” she says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Cathy is successful, Share the Dignity will increase the number of products distributed via charities and will investigate placing a free vending machine at a high-needs location.

Fraser Griggs

P2S RUGBYWORKS
Dedicated . Selfless . Caring

Fraser Griggs was inspired to set up P2S RUGBYWORKS following a trek across England to raise money for a similar charity.He found sponsors and high-profile ambassadors for the program, which uses the values of rugby union to help disadvantaged young people reach their potential.Spurred on by seeing his daughter bullied at school, Fraser aimed to break the cycle of aggression by creating employment and mentoring opportunities for at-risk children. “Our young people move into meaningful employment using the skills they have practised, such as teamwork, communication and trust,” Fraser says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Fraser is successful, P2S RUGBYWORKS will train volunteers in youth mental health and invest in branded clothing for participants.

Janine Wood

No Limits Perth
Dedicated . Caring . Gentle

Janine Wood co-founded No Limits Perth with two police officers to return hope to people through random acts of kindness. A single parent and survivor of domestic violence, Janine understands the struggle to make ends meet. The charity redistributes furniture, white goods, linen, toys and food to help people set up a place to live. Janine recruited volunteers to run the charity and saw the demand for its services treble within four years. “Our mission is to give everyone a second chance, without judgment and at no cost, and expecting nothing in return,” she says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Janine is successful, No Limits Perth will fund fuel and a driver to deliver practical items, non-perishable food, cleaning starter packs and small household appliances that are electrically safe.

Liz Povah

Woodvale Secondary College
Generous . Reliable . Kind

As a volunteer with Greyhound Adoptions WA, educator Liz Povah came up with the idea of introducing three greyhounds to Woodvale Secondary College as companion-therapy dogs for socially isolated children. Greyhounds are known for their intelligence and even temper, and the three animals — called Boots, Rush and Archie — have helped reduce anxiety and stress and improve student engagement over the last two years.Liz was also instrumental in developing the school’s wellness centre, where students can visit the dogs during their break and learn about mindfulness, relaxation techniques and the power of positive thinking.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Liz is successful, Woodvale Secondary College will set up dedicated facilities for the students and greyhounds in the wellness centre.

Mark Harrison

Mullaloo Beach Community Group
Passionate . Experienced . Dedicated

Decorated Red Cross volunteer and passionate environmentalist Mark Harrison dedicates his time to helping kids learn about coastal ecosystems while preserving Mullaloo Dunes for future generations.An experienced bush regeneration specialist, he is developing a program that encourages school children and special needs students to develop conservation skills and take ownership of small plots of land.He has designed a strategy to eliminate the onion weed that threatens to destroy the much-loved, 16-hectare sand dunes.“The purpose of the work is to include the local community in the environmental guardianship of Mullaloo Dunes,” Mark says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Mark is successful, Mullaloo Beach Community Group will employ contractors to advance the attack on weeds at Mullalooo and buy a drone to survey vegetation and better direct resources.

Recognising all our 2019 nominees

View all of the nominees and their organisation

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