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.

Anita Hinton

I Got Your Back Pack
__Inspiring . Passionate . Selfless __

Anita Hinton escaped domestic violence without any personal belongings. Once she found her feet, the single mother came up with a way to support other survivors; back packs filled with essential items so women and children have something of their own in their time of need. I Got Your Back Pack (IGYBP) is run by volunteers, many of whom are abuse survivors and find working together and helping others cathartic.“I work as a cleaner to live and eat, but my passion is IGYBP and being a positive role model for my daughter,” says Anita.

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Arletta Van Den Bosch

The Children's Autism Foundation
__Compassionate . Driven . Steadfast __

Social worker Arletta Van Den Bosch strives for a community where children and young people with autism have the best chance of achieving a meaningful life. As a family consultant at the Children's Autism Foundation, she uses an engaging combination of humour and practical, evidence-based strategies to help people achieve meaningful improvements in education, socialisation and community engagement. “Children and young people who are adequately supported are resilient, happier and more confident,” says Arletta. The foundation aims to provide families with the tools to manage on their own. But they can always call for help.

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Elizabeth York

Feeling Fab
__Nurturing . Innovative . Optimistic __

The day after Elizabeth York’s grandmother died, she lost her husband, Alan, in a car crash. She and her three young sons were grief-stricken and, for her sanity, she had to do something to help others. She took over the Women in Grief counselling charity. But after nine years, she needed a way to bring some joy to women experiencing grief, and started Feeling Fab. “I know the hole you get into when you lose a loved one. We all deserve to feel fab, especially in the midst of grief,” says Elizabeth.

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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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