Westfield Airport West – Kelly Pudge, Helping Hands Mission Op Shop
Communities across Australia and New Zealand are ready to celebrate their local heroes as record number of votes are cast to award $1.25m in grants to 126 individuals and their organisations
Westfield destinations across Australia have announced the Westfield Local Heroes for 2024, welcoming communities to celebrate the incredible contribution these individuals make to their local community.
The Westfield Local Heroes for 2024 at Westfield destinations across Australia include:
New South Wales:
- Westfield Bondi Junction – Rachael Natoli, Lokahi Foundation
- Westfield Burwood – Melissa Holmes, Stepping Out Program
- Westfield Chatswood – Brenda Lin, The Survivor Hub
- Westfield Eastgardens – Charlie Gallico, South Sydney Juniors
- Westfield Hornsby – Sian Gordon, The Burdekin Association
- Westfield Hurstville – Zoe Ong, Shopfront Arts Co-op
- Westfield Kotara – Jan Bynon, Got Your Back Sista
- Westfield Liverpool – Antoinette Sulfaro, Ladies Like to Lunch
- Westfield Miranda – Blake Johnston, Surfing Sutherland Shire and Cronulla Surfing Academy
- Westfield Mt Druitt – Marti Fletcher, Blacktown Women’s Shed through BACC
- Westfield Parramatta – Jaxon Taylor, New South Wales Power Chair Football
- Westfield Penrith – Elizabeth Spanos, Penrith Community Kitchen
- Westfield Sydney – Lottie Dalziel, Banish
- Westfield Tuggerah – Czelaw (Czes) Lawicki, Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast
- Westfield Warringah Mall – Guy Morel, The Mind Cafe Narrabeen
ACT:
- Westfield Belconnen – Victorya Jenkinson, YWCA Canberra
- Westfield Woden – John Pratt, Parkinson’s ACT (PACT)
Victoria:
- Westfield Airport West – Kelly Pudge, Helping Hands Mission Op Shop
- Westfield Doncaster – Jayne Clarke, Imagine Re-Evolution
- Westfield Fountain Gate – Lisa Milkvoci, Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support
- Westfield Geelong – Damian McKeegan, St Marys Sporting Club Geelong
- Westfield Knox – Gayle Ace Dye, Share Space Inc
- Westfield Plenty Valley – Mark Muscat, South Morang Football Club
- Westfield Southland – Georgia Hocking, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay
Queensland:
- Westfield Carindale – Stephanie Hinrichs, Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc
- Westfield Chermside – Jodi Traves, Bridgecare Limited
- Westfield Coomera – Belinda Tessieri, Gold Coast Youth Service
- Westfield Mt Gravatt – Yusuf Dawood Khatree, MUSLIM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
- Westfield North Lakes – Paulus Petrus (Paul) Toonen, SVDP Give A Child A Chance Conference Margate
South Australia:
- Westfield Marion – Tracey Clark, Still Aware
- Westfield Tea Tree Plaza – Shane Martin, Para Hills Cricket Club
- Westfield West Lakes – Kellie Finlayson, Jodi Lee Foundation
Western Australia:
- Westfield Booragoon: Serena Gamble, Feed it Forward Incorporated
- Westfield Carousel: Samuel Thomas, Sam’s Spares
- Westfield Innaloo: Kate Buchan, STARZ Dance WA
- Westfield Whitford City: Kate Bettenay, Hero Hunter
Now in its seventh year, the Westfield Local Heroes program recognises and celebrates the individuals and organisations dedicated to their communities and environment. The successful hero from each of the 42 Westfield destinations is awarded a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent, with remaining finalists each receiving a $5,000 grant.
Earlier in the year, Australians were called upon to nominate local heroes who go above and beyond to make a positive impact to their local community or environment. A public vote saw a record number of votes cast by 71,500 community members, selecting the successful grant recipient at each Westfield destination.
Scentre Group National Community Experience Manager, Pam Wilson said: “We are thrilled to announce the Westfield Local Heroes 2024 grant recipients and recognise the positive change they are driving in our communities.
“Our heroes across Australia are making a difference in their communities through their tireless work in areas like domestic violence support, emergency aid, and youth development. Their dedication is truly remarkable, and we’re honored to support their impactful initiatives.
“As we round out the seventh year of the program, we continue to be amazed by the incredible contributions these individuals make, and we’re excited to shine a light on their achievements.”
This year, Westfield is awarding 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand through the Westfield Local Heroes program, totalling $1.25m. Since its inception in 2018, the program has contributed $8.6 million to over 860 community organisations.
Westfield destinations across Australia will be celebrating their Local Heroes from 14 October. For more information, visit www.westfield.com.au/local-heroes or your local Westfield centre website.
Nominations for 2025 Westfield Local Heroes will open from 15 October.
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