Westfield Hurstville and Miranda have announced their Local Heroes for 2018, as nominated and voted for by the Sutherland Shire and St George communities.
Each Local Hero has been awarded a $10,000 grant, for their organisation to put towards their community initiative.
The Westfield Local Heroes program recognises individuals whose work promotes social wellbeing and harmony across family, youth opportunity and Inclusion.
With hundreds of votes were received from the community for all finalists.
Westfield Hurstville
Steve Drakoulis, Autism Community Network:
Steve’s personal experience as a parent coming to terms with their child’s Autism diagnosis led him to launch the Autism Community Network, a group for parents and carers who meet regularly to seek support from one another.
Over the past eight years, Steve and his team have established 30 more parent groups across Sydney, catering for 1300 families and offering them a platform to escape isolation.
Steve says being voted a Westfield Local Hero is speciall.
“This is my local community and I’m blown away by the support.”
Natalia Esdaile Watts, Moving Forward
It took 10 years, but Natalia Esdaile-Watts finally found her voice and the courage to tell her story of family violence to help others in the same situation.
Natalia’s aim is to inspire all women to never give up, to stand tall and to believe in themselves, along with educating the community about the effects of domestic violence and promoting respectful and strong relationships, in the hopes to create a safer community for all.
“Being voted a Westfield Local Hero has been surreal and is absolutely amazing, as I can now give back in some way, other than just words,” Natalia says.
“To be able to contribute financially, knowing it will make a difference and create change that is so much bigger than me, is such a privilege.”
Ray Sun, Headspace Hurstville
Raymond Sun began volunteering at Headspace Hurstville, a national youth mental health organisation, four years ago, whilst completing his final year of high school. The organisation supports people aged 12 to 25 who are affected by mental health, physical health, work, study and substance issues.
“My parents named me Ray Sun, perhaps as a way to remind me to stay positive and be a ray of sunshine to myself and others,” says Ray.
Ray is surprised and grateful to be voted as a Westfield Local Hero. He said Headspace will use its $10,000 Westfield grant for a yoga and art group as well as staging community events, redecorating its centre and buying resources.
Westfield Miranda
Paulo De Nobrega, Sutherland Titans Football Club
The Sutherland Titans Football Club, which caters for people with special needs, was started in 2005 by a group of parents with the support of the Sutherland Shire Football Association.
“The unique system benefits both Titans players and members of the opposing teams, says Paulo, “Their players benefit by understanding that the game can be much more than winning and more about bringing a smile to a child that scores a goal or is able to feel good about being part of a team”.
Paulo is thrilled to be voted a Westfield Local Hero. The Titans will use $10,000 Westfield grant to buy equipment that they would otherwise not have access to.
Brook Stewart, Kingsway Community Care Inc
As the Community Outreach Manager at Kingsway Community Care Inc, Brook has a passion for helping people rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness.
Kingsway provides crisis accommodation for homeless people and families escaping domestic violence, along with providing medium-term accommodation for young people in need.
Brook says it feels good to be voted a Westfield Local Hero.
“I’m very proud of what we do, so it’s good to get the recognition.”
Kingsway will use the $10,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant to fund an employee to assist staff and guests with immediate needs, including pastoral care, mentoring and resourcing items.
Kirsty Mason, Dandelion Support Network Inc.
Kirsty Mason began volunteering for Dandelion Support Network Inc. following her battle with breast cancer and a strong desire to give back to her community.
The charity distributes pre-owned babies and children’s clothes, toys, cots, prams, car seats and other items to families in need. Every year Dandelion diverts at least 40 tonnes from landfill through rehoming, or recycling of goods that are not suitable to give away.
The recipients of these goods range anywhere from refugee families, people with physical disabilities or mental illness and those experiencing homelessness to families affected by domestic violence, trying to start over.
Kirsty is delighted to be voted a Westfield Local Hero and to be recognised by her community.
The cost of each support pack is about $130, so Dandelion will use its $10,000 Westfield grant to help more than 75 disadvantaged families.
