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.

Your three Westfield Woden Local Heroes are:

Robert de Castella

Indigenous Marathon Foundation
Passionate . Inspirational . Determined

Marathon great Robert de Castella is proud of his sporting feats but says his greatest achievement has been helping Indigenous Australians. The Commonwealth Games marathon champion and Olympian founded and directs the Indigenous Marathon Foundation. Through its Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) and Deadly Running Groups, which include over 5000 runners, the foundation promotes running for a healthy lifestyle. “Indigenous Australians are significantly disadvantaged compared with other Australians, highlighted by an approximate 10-year gap in life expectancy, lower education levels, unemployment and chronic disease,” says Robert, who was Australian of the year in 1983.

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Kristen Pratt

Capital Nordic Walking
Pioneer . Dynamic . Altruistic

Kristen Pratt is on a mission to get people of all ages to improve their health while having fun. She founded Capital Nordic Walking to share her passion for Nordic fitness walking, which involves walking poles and specialised techniques. Kristen has arranged free walks for over 1000 Canberrans, including those with serious illnesses and the frail elderly. The comradery gives people the motivation to make exercise a habit, reduce stress and their risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, she says. “We see the life-changing benefits of Nordic walking every day.”

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Thomas Campagna

PARTY Program
Strong . Brave . Resilient

After surviving a terrible car crash caused by a drug-affected driver, teenager Thomas TJ Campagna wants to keep other young people safe on our roads. TJ shares his story with other young people through the PARTY Program, a charity that helps school students understand the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The talks are held at Canberra Hospital, where doctors, nurses and trauma patients help educate the students.“My mum shares my story on my behalf,” says TJ, who has raised $10,000 for the hospital and PARTY Program through a fund-raiser dinner.

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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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