Local heroes, big impact

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Posted on 22 Oct 2024

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

Ordinary Australians who go above and beyond to help others in the community and the organisations they help make a difference, have been celebrated and financially rewarded as part of a nationwide recognition program.

A total of 126 community groups across Australia and New Zealand will share in $1.25 million in grants distributed under the 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program.

Now in its seventh year, the initiative is designed to shine a light on people nominated by the public for making a positive impact on their local community or the environment.

Forty-two Local Heroes - one from each Westfield shopping centre location - secured grants of $20,000 for their organisations following a community vote to nominate candidates and determine the winners. Finalists will each receive $5,000.

The winners ranged from a volunteer at a Melbourne soup kitchen to the founder of a Brisbane-based Muslim charity foundation.

Lisa Milkvoci, food coordinator at Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support in Narre Warren, Melbourne volunteers up to six days a week, sources donations, organises deliveries and offers comfort to guests.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

"I simply love Transit. It's more than just a place – it's a genuine community," she said.

Milkvoci said being named a Westfield Local Hero meant a lot to her.

"It brought tears to my eyes - not because of the recognition for myself, but because of what this grant will mean for Transit,” she said.

"My heart was so full of excitement and joy for our entire team and the incredible people we serve. This place means the world to me, and knowing that this recognition would bring more support, resources, and hope to our community was overwhelming."

"With this extra funding, we can buy more fresh food and groceries, allowing us to reach more people who need it.”

Transit Soup Kitchen food coordinator Lisa Milkvoci.

Serena Gamble

Feed it Forward Incorporated

Perth

Serena, a volunteer with Feed it Forward since 2019, collects food donations, diverting thousands of kilos from entering landfill, and distributes them from a community pantry at her home. She also prepares emergency hampers, distributes donated fruit to schools and supports parenting groups. Feed it Forward plans to use their $20,000 grant money to pay for volunteer and public liability insurance, marketing material and petrol vouchers to assist volunteers. 

Elizabeth Spanos

Penrith Community Kitchen

Sydney

As a volunteer and committee member at Penrith Community Kitchen, Elizabeth helps dish up nutritious meals to more than 500 socially isolated people in need every week. The $20,000 grant is expected to help with the recent expansion of kitchen services to support families in 12 local schools by providing pantry food and meals.

Gayle Dye

Share Space Inc

Melbourne

Share Space was founded by Gayle during the Covid pandemic to provide essential items to those in need. The organisation has since expanded to offer playgroup sessions, a community garden, art therapy, social meetups, and food relief to more than 750 people each month. Despite her own health issues, Gayle remains passionate about helping others and said the $20,000 grant would help purchase a delivery van to collect donated goods and deliver items to people in need. 

Jodi Traves

Bridgecare Limited

Brisbane

Bridgecare provides support for homeless people, weekly food hampers and in-house help with gardening and odd jobs. CEO Jodi Traves leads a team of 80 volunteers and two part-time employees all dedicated to providing judgement-free support to people facing challenges. Bridgecare Limited will use its $20,000 grant to expand its capacity to purchase and store food supplied by OzHarvest.

Yusuf Khatree

Muslim Charitable Foundation

Brisbane

For the past 15 years, Yusuf Khatree has supported underprivileged community members through the Muslim Charitable Foundation (MCF), providing emergency housing, food aid and financial assistance. He plans to use the $20,000 grant to help pay for 125 food hampers every month and provide rental assistance to those in need. 

Milkvoci said Transit would use the $20,000 grant to purchase a new commercial stove and oven.

"Our current one is pretty old and unreliable, and it’s been causing a lot of headaches for us. With a new one, we’ll be able to cook more efficiently and with way less stress for our volunteers, which means we can get meals out faster and easier."

People in need line up for help at Transit Soup Kitchen.

The extra cash will also help cover rising food costs, helping Transit to meet increasing demand from as many as 1,500 cash-strapped families each week.

"With this extra funding, we can buy more fresh food and groceries, allowing us to reach more people who need it,” said Milkvoci.

"(But) it’s not just about providing food—it’s about giving families healthy, nourishing meals, and this grant will help us do that on a larger scale."

Pam Wilson, national community experience manager at Scentre Group (owner of 42 Westfield shopping centres) said that since its launch in 2018, the Westfield Local Heroes program has contributed $8.6 million to more than 860 community organisations.

“Our heroes across Australia are making a difference in their communities through their tireless work in areas such as domestic violence support, emergency aid, and youth development,” said Wilson.

"Their dedication is truly remarkable, and we're honoured to support their impactful initiatives.

“As we round out the seventh year of the program, we continue to be amazed by the incredible contributions these individuals make, and we’re excited to shine a light on their achievements.”

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