ZEST AWARDS: WINNERS 2023

Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation was founded in 1980 to assist all Aboriginal people who had been directly affected by past government policies; being separated from their families and culture through forced removal, being fostered, adopted or raised in institutions. Link-Up (NSW) supports the healing journeys of those removed; delivering professional, culturally sensitive and confidential research, reunions and Social, Emotional and Wellbeing services to those over the age of eighteen. In 1983 Link-Up (NSW) received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs, this enabled the establishment of the first Link-Up NSW building and employees. In 1984, Link-Up was formally incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act.

Maria Losurdo is a qualified counsellor, manager, mentor, social advocate and community leader, specialising in family crisis work, child protection, domestic violence and community development. She has worked for over 35 years in community services, mostly in the Hawkesbury and across greater Western Sydney. Currently the Manager of the Women’s Cottage, a domestic and family violence support service for women and children in the Hawkesbury area, Maria also works as Group Facilitator at Cara House in Homebush. A tireless advocate for the rights of women and people from diverse backgrounds, Maria is a stalwart of the Hawkesbury community.

Elfa Moraitakis is CEO of SydWest Multicultural Services, a community organisation in Western Sydney that provides a wide variety of support services to newly arrived migrants and refugees. She is also a Director of Settlement Services International and a Director of the NSW Council of Social Services and she sits on a number of Advisory Committees across the sector. Elfa has been involved in the sector for the past 30 years and has an extensive background in developing services for linguistically disadvantaged communities, with a focus on engaging community and stakeholder participation. Elfa works tirelessly for the community sector and continues to be a strong advocate for the various issues that those communities face.

Sara Mansour has founded, directed and led significant cultural institutions and events throughout Western Sydney for the past ten years. In 2013, Mansour cofounded Bankstown Poetry Slam that is now regarded as the largest regular spoken word event in Australia. Since then, she has coordinated high school programs for young people, established Australia’s first ever National Youth Poetry Slam and pioneered Muslim Agenda – a two-day festival platforming the voices of Muslim women. As a full-time lawyer and mother, Mansour’s decade of volunteering has built
communities, created lasting connections and uplifted the voices of Western Sydney that now reverberate across Australia.

The Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre, located in the heart of Oran Park, is owned and managed by Camden Council. The centre operates under a co-located model of service delivery, enabling streamlined collaboration between multiple youth services to provide holistic supports for local young people. This operating model currently enables the co-location of 12-youth services at no cost to the organisations, ensuring that young people are supported and have access to outreach supports within the Camden community. The centre was also awarded the “NSW Youth Service of the Year” at the NSW Youth Work Awards in 2022.

The 2022 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize is a creative writing
competition instigated by WestWords in collaboration with WestLit Libraries. In its second year it was open to everyone aged 10 and above from across Greater Western Sydney. The prize asks people to respond to theme Things Unsaid in a short story, poem, memoir or work of non-fiction. Judges are drawn from the local community. The competition attracts over $10,000 in prize money and supported by 50 free writing workshops in libraries across the region. The competition culminates in the launch of the book showcasing 128 highly commended and winning entries.

Bhabish is an exceptional international student who has made remarkable contributions to the Western Sydney region’s social and cultural development through his voluntary roles and work for the Nepalese community. Bhabish is a champion for the welfare and wellbeing of international students in Western Sydney, ensuring they feel supported and empowered throughout their journey, especially in his capacity as National Deputy Coordinator at the NRNA Student Advisory Council. As a Research Member for the Reference Group for Nepalese Community Mental Health, he has actively advocated for mental health awareness and support within the community. He was also an organiser of the program ‘Connecting Community through Interaction’ at Granville, working with the Nepalese Embassy and the Hon. Consulate General of Nepal to deliver the program, which allows international students a platform for voicing their concerns and contributing to meaningful change.

The nominee Harinder Kaur is a volunteer, an exemplary community leader, CEO, educator and an advocate for alleviating human suffering. A stalwart of support, particularly for women and children, she is an extraordinary crusader in fighting against domestic violence, mental health and family empowerment. Harinder is passionate, dedicated, and a staunch supporter for those with pronounced vulnerability. She cofounded a charity named Harman Foundation 10 years ago when her eldest son died in a car accident at the age of 27. She turned her grief around by dedicating her life to support the community via Harman Foundation’s activities.

Community Minded Kids (CMK) is an innovative community building program has been run in over 30 schools (over 2500 Stage 3 students) across Western Sydney. Run over a term or 2 school terms students gain community knowledge, skills, and inspiration to ‘think’ and ‘be’ community minded, creating increased sense of belonging and connection to school and community.

Haneen Zreika is an influential Australian athlete known for her exceptional skills in Australian rules football. As the first Muslim woman to play in the AFLW, she has broken barriers and inspired diversity in the sport. Zreika’s leadership extends beyond the field, as she actively advocates for women’s rights and multiculturalism, encouraging young girls from underrepresented communities to participate in AFL. Her impact as a role model and her dedication to promoting inclusivity have made her a trailblazer in both sport and social equality. Off the field, Haneen is a teacher’s aide working with vulnerable children with disabilities and utilises her football skills to play with them. 

Dr Kim Loo is a GP in Riverstone, Chair Hills Doctors Association, NSW AMA and GP Council, Chair NSW Doctors for the Environment NSW. Kim is a prominent advocate for the social and environmental determinants of health in the context of climate change, receiving the 2022 AMA Presidents Award. She is a frequent guest speaker on radio, television, podcasts, at large events and to community organisations. Kim’s project is healthcare -protecting vulnerable people, particularly those with existing medical conditions, with mental health concerns, the aged, children and renters, from urban heat.