Westfield Local Heroes 2019
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.
Genevieve Mora
Voices of Hope
__Passionate . Visionary . Selfless __
Genevieve Mora life’s mission is to help others by sharing her story of fighting anorexia nervosa, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder during her teen years. Aged 24, she is a co-founder of Voices of Hope, which promotes mental well-being and recovery. The organisation supports young local people, works within the community to destigmatise mental illness and produces internet videos that tell healing stories to an international audience. “If sharing my story and vulnerability can help make someone else's journey easier, then my years of fighting my own mind were so worth it,” says Genevieve.
Nicholas Loosley
Everybody Eats
__Committed . Passionate . Humble __
In two years, Nicholas (Nick) Loosley has saved 15 tonnes of good food from landfill and provided more than 15,000 restaurant-quality meals to people who could not afford to pay. Thousands more have paid a reduced rate at his Everybody Eats restaurant or have paid enough to help subsidise others’ meals. The volunteer-run restaurant promotes connection by using communal tables and breaks down social barriers with people from all walks of life enjoying a meal together. “We invite anyone and everyone to join us, and they all get treated and served equally,” says Nick.
Peter Leilua
Global Hope Missions
__Determined . Dedicated . Selfless __
Peter Leilua left the security of his full-time position at the Department of Justice to work in community and youth development with Global Hope Ministries. Supported by his wife, Tiliilagi, his work involves after-school programmes, health workshops, academic mentoring, home visits and connecting youth and families to social services for help. Their team also advocates for local people at the courthouse and school board meetings. “I knew it was going to be challenging, especially when both Tiliilagi and I have left our full-time jobs,” says Peter. “But we believe it will benefit the whole community.”
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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