Congratulations to Astrid Hocking from Hearts and Hands Community Development, who this morning was named the 2025 Local Woman of the Year for Lake Macquarie, at the NSW Women of the Year Awards!

Astrid is a tenacious and passionate advocate for child protection, community empowerment and foster carers, both locally and overseas.

Since 2015, she has been actively involved in the Philippines, collaborating with organisations such as the Kalipay Negrense Foundation and Ikthus Redeemed working tirelessly to rescue children from trafficking and empower disadvantaged communities to achieve self-sustainability.

Closer to home, she spearheads child protection campaigns such as Umbrella Hearts Ribbon Campaign and fundraisers such as the Orange Ride for Child Protection Awareness.