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Announcing your 2024 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce Kerryn Thrupp from Woven Earth as your 2024 Westfield Albany Local Hero!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Kerryn Thrupp at Woven Earth to continue to grow their impact in the local community.

The 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 125 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Nominations for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program are open now. If you know someone who's making a positive impact, nominate them as a Westfield Local Hero - nominate here.

Your 2024 Westfield Albany local Hero is:

Kerryn Thrupp

Woven Earth

Determined. Hard-working. Compassionate.

Kerryn Thrupp is the founder and CEO of Woven Earth, a charity dedicated to creating loving homes for family violence survivors and their children. Woven Earth furnishes empty houses and provides practical support so survivors can safely rebuild their lives.

“Families are often forced to flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They are alive and physically safe, but they have lost everything. Leaving a violent relationship is not the end, but simply the beginning of a new, profoundly challenging journey,” Kerryn explains.

Kerryn understands the impact first-hand. “Inspired by the help I received, and experiencing first-hand the massive gap in support for families brave enough to break the cycle of abuse, I launched Woven Earth. Every home we furnish, every child we help, and every life we empower motivates me to never give up”.

Woven Earth harnesses the collective power of community, gathering pre-loved furniture and homewares, as well as new, essential household items – everything needed to fully furnish an empty house from the ground up at no cost to the family.

Under Kerryn’s leadership since Woven Earth was launched in 2019, they have created over 680 loving homes and empowered more than 2500 people across Tamaki Makaurau.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Albany Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Woven Earth will use the funds will help set up bedrooms for women and their children, including the cost of new linen and mattresses, as well as transportation fees.


We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...

Paula Beguely from Auckland Down Syndrome Association

Paula Beguely is the community liaison officer at the Auckland Down Syndrome Association (ASDA). After her daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, Paula became motivated to help other families. In her role, she provides families with key resources and opportunities for social connection. ADSA work with approximately 500 families across Auckland.

Robyn Walker from North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid

Robyn Walker is the general manager of North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid (CMA), a charity dedicated to providing companionship and activities for isolated older adults in Auckland. Under Robyn's leadership, eight CMA centres offer activities designed to foster friendship and alleviate loneliness for older adults, helping ensure they feel connected and supported.


If you need support, please phone Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354

Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Albany nominees and their organisations.

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We recognise the unique role of Māori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Scentre Group operates its Westfield Living Centre portfolio with a responsible business mindset across the four pillars of community, people, environment and economic performance. More information can be found in our 2023 Responsible Business Report.

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