The whau local hero portrait is in its second year as part of the whau arts festival. Each year the call out is put to the community who nominate and vote for their local hero, the winner gets their portrait painted. This year's winner was Anne Riley nominated for her good Samaritan work feeding the vulnerable in Avondale. Last year the painting was of Regina Tovia

who was nominated for the great influence she has had on people's lives through her role as a teacher at the local intermediate. I have painted the first two portraits to get the project going. Next year

the batton will be passed to another portrait artist. Hopefully in about 10 years time we will be able to have a Whau local heroes portrait exhibition.