{"id":105754,"date":"2024-10-22T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=105754"},"modified":"2024-10-21T13:12:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T02:12:11","slug":"local-heros-crowned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/local-heros-crowned\/","title":{"rendered":"Local heros crowned"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST MARY’S Sporting Club Geelong’s Damian McKeegan has been crowned the 2024 Geelong Westfield Local Hero, receiving a $20,000 grant.<\/p>\n

The program recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations who are dedicated to their local community and environment.<\/p>\n

Mr McKeegan is a board member and welfare officer at the club, where he initiated a support program addressing mental health, drugs and bullying following the suicide of a young player.<\/p>\n

“It was something that we thought would be beneficial to other club members to realise that there is help out there for people with mental health,” he said.<\/p>\n

With the money from the grant, he will enhance some of the mental health programs throughout the club in the juniors, seniors and women’s program.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Damian McKeegan has been named a local hero and will receive a $20,000 grant to enhance mental health support at the St Marys Sporting Club. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr McKeegan said it was a “real privilege” to receive the grant and to be recognised for the work the club is doing around mental health.<\/p>\n

Lifeline Direct’s LeeAnne Edwards was also named a Local Hero after spending the last four years volunteering and will receive a $5,000 grant.<\/p>\n

Foundation 61 founder Robert Lytzki will also receive a $5,000 grant after dedicating almost 20 years to supporting people in overcoming addiction.<\/p>\n

Wesfield Geelong centre manager Lauren Frew said it was a thrill to announce the Westfield Local Heroes grant recipients.<\/p>\n

“As we round out our 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.”<\/p>\n

Nominations for the 2025 Westifeld Local Heros are now open.<\/p>\n

For more information, head to westfield.com.au\/local-heroes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ST MARY’S Sporting Club Geelong’s Damian McKeegan has been crowned the 2024 Geelong Westfield Local Hero, receiving a $20,000 grant. The program recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations who are dedicated to their local community and environment. Mr McKeegan is a board member and welfare officer at the club, where he initiated a support program […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":220,"featured_media":105877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-105754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLocal heros crowned - Geelong Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"St Mary's Damian McKeegan wins 2024 Geelong Westfield Local Hero for his mental health program at the club. 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