Presenting your 2021 Westfield Local Heroes
We are excited to announce your three 2021 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Albany.
Each of the affiliated organisations of the successful heroes will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work to thrive. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.
For further information or to discover the Westifield Local Heroes at other Westfield centres, visit the Westfield Local Heroes website.
Your three Westfield Albany Local Heroes are:
Jan Nichols
Harbour Hospice
Compassionate. Inclusive. Focused
Former oncology nurse Jan Nichols has a challenging but rewarding job as CEO at Harbour Hospice. She is passionate about helping patients with a life-limiting illness enjoy every moment they have through caring support and symptom control. Thanks to Jan’s team, over 1200 patients enjoyed a better quality of life in 2020 alone.
Rebecca Nelson
Te Kiwi Māia
Inspiring. Effervescent. Passionate
Rebecca Nelson jumped to establish charity Te Kiwi Māia when she discovered there was no service to support first responders and defence personal injured on the job. In just 18 months, the charity has made tremendous progress and plans to open a working farm offering rehabilitation services and mental health care.
Ronda Amende
TimeOut Charitable Trust
Inspiring. Brave. Dedicated
Ronda Amende set up the TimeOut charitable trust in 2016 to gift people with a terminal diagnosis a holiday with their family so they can create precious memories. She has inspired Kiwis to generously donate time in their holiday or beach houses, with over 130 homes now on offer to families.
We congratulate our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.
Garry Learmonth from WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust
Police officer Garry Learmonth has saved countless families from the anguish of having a relative with dementia or autism go missing. He co-founded WanderSearch Charitable Trust, which provides people with a tracking device in a pendant that increases the odds they’ll be found safe and well and reduces the time and cost of searching for them.
Jane Hunter from North Harbour Community Patrol
At 73 years of age, Jane Hunter is an active member of the North Harbour Community Patrol. She is one of 37 volunteers who work closely with the police. She trains other volunteers and works into the early hours of the morning, patrolling crime hot spots in residential neighbourhoods and commercial areas.
Rikihana Clark from Victim Support North Shore
Rikihana Clark was determined to make a difference in his community and found the perfect fit with Victim Support North Shore. Rikihana is regarded as a rock for people in need, helping them through some of the most difficult times imaginable, including crime, family violence and suicide.
If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 0800 543 354.
Recognising all our 2021 nominees
View all of the Westfield Albany nominees and their organisations