We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Woden.

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 Woden Local Hero is:

Fiona Allardyce

Epilepsy ACT
Attentive. Warm. Resilient

Empathetic Fiona Allardyce is the warm and friendly face of non-profit Epilepsy ACT, the only organisation supporting the 8000 Canberrans with the challenging neurological condition.

For the past six years, Fiona has been there to inform and comfort families at the start of their journey and to provide ongoing counselling and support for anyone affected by epilepsy.

As one of only two employees, she is a powerhouse advocate for people with epilepsy. She raises funds for the organisation, organises events to increase awareness, offers epilepsy first aid training to schools and workplaces and breaks down stigma in the community.

One of the challenges is that it can take six months after diagnosis to see a specialist, and Canberra doesn’t have a paediatric neurologist at all. So, one of Fiona’s roles is to fill the gap at a time when people have the most questions.

Another challenge is isolation, which Fiona tackles by arranging regular peer-support activities for people with epilepsy. Fiona loves seeing children's faces when they meet others with epilepsy for the first time and realise they are not alone.

“We offer a very personal service. People can be confused or fearful, and we help turn this around for them,” Fiona says.

Epilepsy ACT will use its funds to provide epilepsy awareness education and first aid training to staff at more than 20 schools.

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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.

Andrew Kerec from Spine Tingling Ride
Determined Andrew Kerec has raised $130,000 for disability charities and is about to embark on a solo 6551km mountain bike ride to raise more. Andrew rode 5450km in 2017 and is planning a bitumen-free route from Cape York in Queensland to South Point in Victoria to raise funds for Canberra’s Hartley Lifecare and SpinalCure Australia.

Angel Hellyer from Diversity ACT Community Services
Multitalented Angel Hellyer has many roles at Diversity ACT, including being a devoted advocate and trusted role model for members of the LGBTIAQ+ community. Angel has enhanced the organisation’s communications strategy, updated its policies, revamped its website and developed an advocacy campaign for greater LGBTIAQ+ inclusion.

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

Recognising all our 2022 nominees

View all of the Westfield Woden nominees and their organisation