Six St George residents are in the running for one of three $10,000 grants and the title of Westfield Hurstville's 'local hero'.
The six local finalists in Westfield's Local Heroes community grants program were announced last Tuesday.
Each was nominated for their work in the community, and this year's finalists are honoured for bringing the arts to those with mental illness, helping those with dementia, working with a youth club, putting together food hampers for the needy, helping children with autism and raising money for brain cancer research, support and awareness.
The Westfield Local Heroes community recognition and grants program is now in its third year.
This year 247 finalists from 42 Westfield centres are in the running to win a $10,000 grant. Three are awarded for each centre, as voted by the community.
The grants are awarded to those whose work - either individually or as part of an organisation - has a positive impact on their local community and/or environment.
The program recognises and promotes community role models whose work or activities create positive benefits for others in one or more of the following ways: nurturing a sense of belonging and inclusion, helping in times of community crisis, building community resilience, promoting positive health and well-being, improving access to community services and groups, and protecting the local environment.
The Westfield Hurstville finalists are:
Carlee Heise, who gives young people an opportunity to find their voice through the arts. She plans to use the grant to help Shopfront Arts Co-op present 48 film, drama and visual arts workshops facilitated by artists trained in mental health first-aid.
Dragana Bozinovski is changing the lives of people with dementia and helping them to keep their passion for life and stay socially engaged. The grant will allow 3Bridges Community to help financially disadvantaged families participate in the program.
Jenny Sammut has been president of Kogarah RSL Youth Club for 25 years and wants to use the grant to buy equipment and train coaches.
Liz Diab takes unwanted food and uses it for hampers for those who don't qualify for government support. She will use the money to buy or rent a refrigerated van for The Crateful Group so volunteers don't have to use their own vehicles.
Najwa Sawan spent several years volunteering at the Aspect South East Sydney School, where her son was a student, providing support to families whose children have autism. She wants to buy literacy kits for the school to support the students' academic progress.
Sue-Ellan Vasiliou is raising funds for brain cancer research, awareness and support. She co-founded Little Legs Foundation with her husband in memory of their daughter Alegra. The grant will help fund hospital equipment and support families.
Voting is now open and closes Monday, September 14. To vote click here.
The winners will be announced October 27.
