Mirandra Browne of The Entrance Food Hub has taken out Westfield Tuggerah’s Local Heroes Award for 2023, earning $20,000 for the community initiative.
Judges said Browne brought joy to her community through low-cost and free food through her volunteer-run The Entrance Food Hub.
“The Hub is open four days a week and provides food for about 600 people,” they said.
“Mirandra was driven to act when she saw that people around her needed help; everything grew from there.”
The announcement came as Westfield centres across Australia and New Zealand revealed their Local Heroes, as nominated and voted for by their communities in recognition of their outstanding work.
Celebrating its sixth year, the Westfield Local Heroes community recognition and grants program awards the successful hero at each Westfield centre a $20,000 grant for the group or organisation they represent, with the remaining two finalists each receiving a $5,000 grant for their group or organisation.
The other Tuggerah finalists, each receiving a $5,000 grant, were Kim Juresa of Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre and Sharyn Becker of Because We Care Boutique.
Retired nurse Juresa is the driving force behind the provision of food and connection for at least 1,000 locals as the President of the Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre.
The centre offers a food pantry and hosts communal meals and Brekkie on the Go gatherings for school children.
At Because We Care Boutique, Becker works tirelessly to help women overcome adversity with attire for different occasions.
Women visit the volunteer-run store for free consultations and to receive outfits for job interviews, court appearances, work or important appointments.
Many of the women are provided with full work wardrobes.
Westfield Tuggerah Centre Manager Melanie Smith said it was a pleasure to celebrate the remarkable work and contributions the women made to their communities.
“Each year, we are delighted to receive such inspiring nominations and as we celebrate the sixth year of the program, we want to thank those people who give back to our community, and our customers for their ongoing support in recognising and rewarding these incredible role models,” she said.
Source:
Westfield