Presenting your 2021 Westfield Local Heroes
We are excited to announce your three 2021 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Newmarket.
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 Newmarket Local Heroes are:
Charli Cox
Koha Apparel
Compassionate. Courageous. Magnanimous
Charli Cox has made it her mission to rescue quality clothing from landfill and divert it to people in need through her non-profit, Koha Apparel. She and a team of volunteer’s repair and wash the clothing before offering it to those in need in pop-up shops on a pay-what-you-can basis or for free. It’s good for people’s self-esteem, and it’s good for the environment.
Julia Plank
Elder Care Volunteers
Compassionate. Philanthropic. Enterprising
Julia Plank became the champion for a group of forgotten New Zealanders when she founded Elder Care Volunteers. Her charity has recruited and trained over 100 volunteers who visit 150 elderly care home residents to ease their loneliness. The program also benefits the volunteers, who learn new skills and gain knowledge from their elderly friends.
Sheila Budgen
Spirit of Adventure Trust
Enthusiastic. Compassionate. Legendary
Sheila Budgen is a much-loved volunteer crew member on the Spirit of Adventure Trust’s youth development sailing ship. Affectionately known as “Grandma” Sheila has dedicated more than 25 years to helping transform young people’s lives. With her help, they develop leadership and other skills that will steer them towards a brighter future during an epic 10-day adventure at sea. She has sailed on over 120 youth development voyages - not bad for a 76-year-old grandma!
We congratulate our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.
Bruce Scoggins from Cure Kids
Retired Health Research Council CEO Dr Bruce Scoggins has been hard at work as a volunteer for Cure Kids as chair of its Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee. Bruce is in his 80s and has volunteered at Cure Kids for 13 fulfilling years, five of which have been as a board member.
Doug Hanna from TimeOut Charitable Trust
Doug Hanna had made it his mission to gift every person with a terminal illness a memorable holiday with their family through his work with TimeOut. The charitable trust has a database of 100 holiday homes that are available to these families.
Tash Crosby from Talk Peach Gynaecological Foundation
Tash Crosby has saved lives since she established the Talk Peach Gynaecological Foundation in 2017 to raise awareness of the five gynaecological cancers. She is smashing the taboo surrounding the cancers so people are better placed to advocate for themselves.
If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 0800 543 354.
Recognising all our 2021 nominees
View all of the Westfield Newmarket nominees and their organisations