Meet your heroes: Six changemakers in Canberra
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Here in Canberra, we live in a community with so many outstanding people who strive to enhance the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of others around them, creating waves of kindness throughout the city.
Divided between the Westfield Local Heroes and The Spirit of Canberra Awards, six people and businesses have recently received recognition for their great acts of service for the local community.
Here, we introduce you to the Canberrans who have been giving back to the local community – from fundraising for important causes to creating social enterprises.
Westfield Local Heroes
In its eighth year of operation, the Westfield Local Heroes program recognises groups and individuals dedicated to their community who have made a significant impact. At each of its two locations in Canberra, one person receives this honour and a prize. The prize is a $20, 000 grant for the charity or organisation their working with.
The 2025 Westfield Local Heroes and recipients of the $20,000 grant are:
Anna Slavich, Camp Quality
Through her endless support of Camp Quality, Anna Slavich has raised more than one million dollars in funds for Camp Quality since 1989. Anna has created lasting, positive change in the lives of hundreds of young people across southern New South Wales and the ACT. Her deep empathy and genuine ability to connect with families brings hope and comfort during their most challenging times. Camp Quality offers cancer support to families across Australia, the foundation has specially designed programs and services for children up to the age of 15, and their families. This foundation has four branches of its services: a break for cancer, Helping understanding cancer, Online fun for kids, and Counselling and Support. Each designed to support children’s and family’s needs during the battle with cancer.
Margaret O’Donovan, Karinya House
Karinya House supports women who are pregnant or parenting a baby, making sure that they are never alone on their journey. This charity offers practical assistance and fosters self-confidence and personal development through empowering opportunities. Over 28 years ago, Margaret O’Donovan co-founded Karinya House, and since then, over 2,800 women and babies have lived at the shelter, which has been a safe and stable home. Margaret contributes countless hours, volunteering weekly to make sure mum’s and bubs get the best care they can across Canberra.
Spirit of Canberra
Presented by Lifeline Canberra, the Spirit of Canberra Awards honour the people and organisations making a real difference in our city. They celebrate peoples work who uplift Canberra’s social, economic, environmental, and cultural life, and invite nominations for people, organisations, colleagues, or other community members who embody dedication to helping the community and innovation deserving of recognition.
Café Stepping Stone, The Spirit of Hope Award
The Spirit of Hope Award is given to people or groups who have created an original and one-of-a-kind vision for Canberra’s future, as well as people who are actively working towards their goal for the future. Café Stepping Stone has been named the winner this year for their exceptional work with providing employment to migrant and refugee women facing barries to work. By giving these women practical skills through skill development and workshops in English, financial literacy, digital safety and wellbeing, they instil confidence and empower the participants.
Capital Chemist, The Spirit of Impact Award
The Spirit of Impact Award is awarded to any team, group, business, and organisation actively making a difference in Canberra. Capital Chemist uses their influence in the community for good, spending time in the community and elevating their staff and clients. This business has won the award this year for contributing over eight million dollars in financial, in-kind and practical support with partnerships in health, education, sport, disability, and local initiatives.
Chris Thompson Lang, The Spirit of Resilience Award
The Spirit of Resilience Award is presented to individuals who have overcome adversity and its challenges and are utilizing their experiences to enhance the Canberra community. This year’s award goes to a former combat engineer, Chris Thompson Lang. He worked in Timor Leste and was a troop commander in Afghanistan, but after being hospitalised with PTSD, Chris was medically discharged in his early 30s. By co-founding Frontline yoga, he provides free, evidence-informed support to so many veterans, first responders and health care workers.
Wombat Rescue, 2025 People’s Choice Award
The 2025 People’s Choice Award is voted by the community from the list of all finalists across all categories. This year’s award has been awarded to Wombat Rescue. Day and night, the team works endlessly to save and rescue injured wombats. They rehabilitate wombat orphans and provide long-term care to protect one of the ACT’s native species.
