Benjamin Millar
Three inner-west recipients have been recognized as 2021 Westfield Local Heroes as part of the annual community recognition and grants program.
Now in its fourth year, the Westfield Local Heroes program recognises and promotes community role models whose activities help create positive outcomes for others.
Ali Halkic of Bully Zero, Alyshia Clarke of Dance 4 All and Jocelyn Bignold of McAuley Community Services for Women were the three winners of this year’s awards for the Airport West area.
Each Westfield Local Hero has been awarded a $10,000 grant to recognise the positive impact they are making to the local community.
Ali Halkic has reached more than 500,000 people with his bullying prevention workshops since he set up his Bully Zero organisation.
He has been combatting the dangers of bullying since his son Allem took his own life after being bullied by a former friend.
Dance teacher Alyshia Clarke set up Dance 4 All to break down barriers for children with autism, who often feel excluded from social and sporting programs.
She said dancing helps the children’s physical, cognitive and social development.
Jocelyn Bignold leads McAuley Community Services for Women, an organisation that helps more than one thousand women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness annually.
She is the driving force behind the non-profit, which operates a range of crisis to long-term accommodation, provides support and advocates for the women and children.
Westfield Airport West centre manager Karla Quinn said the Local Heroes program continues to recognise and reward everyday people doing extraordinary things in our communities.
“It’s fantastic for our broader communities to see first-hand what a Westfield Local Heroes grant can help to achieve,” she said.
“We thank our Airport West community for voting and supporting all of our nominees; it’s a privilege to continue to support those who have made a lasting impact on the future of our local community.”
