Cr Chris Cahill said the centre was one Helen’s many notable achievements and it’s only appropriate that the centre which she worked so hard to make a reality, be known as ‘The Helen Westwood AM Community Centre’.
Ms Westwood was instrumental in establishing the centre which continues to meet the challenges of a changing community.
“She worked tirelessly over many years to make Bankstown a better place,” Cr Cahill said, while former Mayor Khal Asfour said “she was a passionate advocate for all members of our community and it’s appropriate we acknowledge her contributions to our City and to Local Government”.
“It is only fitting we name the centre in her honour,” he said.
“Surprised and delighted”, Ms Westwood said it was a really great project, and “will be there for generations… that’s the beauty of it – and it’s a centre for all”.
“It was designed to meet the challenges of a changing community,” she said.
“I’m so pleased we got it built and it has been so successful.”
Ms Westwood said establishing the centre was a lot of hard work but it was “wonderful to be a part of it, seeing how well the different levels of government and the community can work together”.
A community worker for various community-based organisations, Ms Westwood was elected in 1995 to Bankstown City Council where she served until 2007 when she was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council. During her time on the council, she was Deputy Mayor between 1997 and 1998 and Mayor of Bankstown City from September 2002 to May 2006.
