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MEDIA RELEASE

27 March 2023

WESTFIELD MIRANDA HOSTS FIRST ‘MODEL MATES’ EVENT TO CELEBRATE LOCALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Aligned with National Autism Awareness Month, Westfield Miranda is collaborating with local non-profit organisation, Autism MATES, to host the first ‘Model MATES’ event on Saturday 1 April. Model MATES is a unique event which aims to increase visibility and awareness of people on the autism spectrum. The event reinforces the need for inclusion and gives young people the opportunity to feel celebrated on the catwalk alongside professional models as they showcase the season’s latest trends.

Autism MATES, founded by Randa Habelrih, creates opportunities for people on the autism spectrum to participate more fully in public life, helping schools and workplaces become more inclusive. Model MATES is one of the many ways in which the organisation is creating opportunities and events that put young autistic people front and centre.

Randa Habelrih, Autism MATES founder said: “Everything we do at Autism MATES centres around empowerment. Through Model MATES, we put our young people front and centre and give them the opportunity to use their own voices and talents to advocate for themselves and to educate the community. We can’t wait to kick off Autism Awareness Month with a bang on the catwalk.”

Westfield Miranda and Autism MATES will work with 2020 Westfield Miranda Local Hero, Stellar Experiences, to engage the models and multi-award winning stylist, Bernadette Payne, to showcase the latest trends on the catwalk.

Opening the event will be Sutherland Shire Mayor, Carmelo Pesce, and award-winning author and disability advocate, Lisa Cox, will make a special appearance in support of the event.

On the Model MATES event, Lisa Cox said: “I’m thrilled to support the Model MATES event at Westfield Miranda which showcases people of all abilities having fun and living their best life. Creating consistent inclusivity is key to ensuring meaningful representation, and the Model MATES runway is another way we can show up to support our community.”

Westfield Miranda Centre Manager, Trish Dullard said: “We’re delighted to host our very first Model MATES event at Westfield Miranda and provide an opportunity for those on the autism spectrum to shine. Through our fashion retailer partners and Local Heroes program alumni, we are proud to celebrate National Autism Awareness Month with Autism MATES and look forward to inviting the community to support the Model MATES event.