Help choose Westfield Geelong’s Local Hero

WESTFIELD Geelong is encouraging the community to cast their vote to help determine this year’s Westfield Local Hero and the recipient of a $20,000 grant.

Now in its seventh year, the community recognition and grants program celebrates the unsung individuals and organisations dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and their communities.

To support their valuable contributions to the community, the finalist who receives the most votes will collect a $20,000 grant for group or organisation they represent, while the remaining two finalists will receive a $5,000 grant.

This year’s three finalists were announced on Tuesday this week. They are:

Damian McKeegan

Following the suicide of a young player, Mr McKeegan initiated a support program addressing mental health, drugs and bullying at St Mary’s Sporting Club Geelong.

If successful, Mr McKeegan intends to use the grant to fund further development programs within the sporting club, including mental health and cultural resilience sessions, and upgrade the club’s facilities to support women’s participation.

LeeAnne Edwards

A dedicated crisis supporter, Ms Edwards has spent the last four years volunteering for Lifeline Direct, offering emotional support to community members during some of their darkest moments.

If Ms Edwards is named this year’s Westfield Local Hero, the grant will help fund the costs associated with running the Lifeline Direct Hotline and provide both training and support to the non-profit’s volunteers.

Robert Lytzki

Mr Lytzki has been supporting people to overcome addiction for almost 20 years.

Inspired by his own battle with addiction from the age of 14 to 40, Mr Lytzki founded Foundation 61, Geelong’s first non-private, not-for-profit residential rehabilitation centre.

Earlier this year, the foundation opened House of Hope, a dedicated women’s residential rehabilitation centre and if successful, the grant will be used to cover the cost of providing support to eight women for six months.

“We’re excited to announce the 2024 Westfield Local Heroes finalists and invite our customers to take a couple of minutes to cast their vote for members of our community who are doing so much for others,” Westfield Geelong centre manager Lauren Frew said.

“Our finalists are driving positive change with the work they do, and every vote is a contribution to the potential impact they’re able to make.

“We welcome our customers to visit the exhibition in-centre to learn about the finalists’ stories and organisations and vote to show their support.”

Voting will close on September 9 and the Westfield Geelong Local Hero will be announced on October 15.

For more information on Westfield Local Hero or to cast your vote, head to westfield.com.au/local-heroes