A Westmead Hospital NICU nurse has been announced as the 2025 Parramatta Westfield Local Hero.
The Westfield Local Heroes Program celebrates individuals and their organisations who have made a significant contribution and impact to their local community.
Ebony Badman was last week announced as the successful recipient of the Westfield Local Heroes program in Parramatta, receiving a grant for $20,000.
Through her work as a NICU nurse at Westmead Hospital, Badman supports 21,500 babies and their families every year, offering care beyond medicine.
She develops parent-baby bonding through her ‘readathon’ initiative and at her own expense brings decorations, book and prizes to the ward to make it warmer and friendlier.
The $20,000 will be used to purchase critical medical equipment for infant intubation and phototherapy in the NICU.
Westfield Parramatta Centre Manager, Matilde Princiotta congratulated Badman and the two runners-up for their continual hard work in the Parramatta community.
“Ebony from Westmead Hospital’s NICU goes above and beyond to bring comfort, connection and care to babies and their families during their most fragile moments,” Princiotta said.
“Her compassion, creativity and dedication make the hospital a warmer, more hopeful place for everyone she supports.
“As we round out the eighth year of the program, we continue to be astounded by the selfless contributions these individuals make, and we’re pleased to be able to recognise their achievements and grow their impact through the program.”
The two runners-up will both receive $5,000 to go towards their respective organisations.
One runner up was Kalil Gibran Henrichs Pinto, Founder of the Kaizen Foundation.
Pinto founded the Kaizen Foundation to teach Brazin Jiu-Jitsu to disadvantaged youth, offering them the chance to build discipline and resilience in a supportive community.
His programs, inspired by his own positive experiences with Jiu-Jitsu, help up to 700 children.
The other runner-up was Nicole King from Riding for Disabled Association Tall Timbers.
For three decades, King has helped young people with physical, cognitive or social disabilities to participate more in society through equine programs.
Starting as a volunteer and now program coordinator and staff coach, she leads therapeutic horse program initiatives that help with life skills, social skills, speech and importantly, mental health.
Nominations for 2026 Westfield Local Heroes are now open, offering more opportunities for grant support to benefit local communities.
