Your 2026 Westfield Airport West Local Hero is:

Philip Gatens

Caroline Chisholm Society

Empathetic. Kind. Dedicated

Philip Gatens has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, Caroline Chisholm Society.

For more than a decade, Phil Gatens has helped ensure vulnerable women, children and families across Victoria receive the support they need during some of life's most challenging moments. Through his leadership with the Caroline Chisholm Society (CCS), he helps safeguard services that give families a stronger start and children the opportunity to thrive.

As a long-serving board director, Phil brings essential financial risk and governance expertise that underpins the organisation’s ability to build healthy, stable and safe environments during a child’s first 1000 days.

The support provided by CCS includes practical parenting advice, home visits, access to essential baby items and support to attend medical appointments. Last year alone, Phil’s guidance helped safeguard these services for nearly 800 children, providing support when it was needed most to pregnant women, new mothers, and families.

He says, “The mission and vision of the organisation - to support pregnant women and families who are in vulnerable situations - is the largest motivator for the work I do.” He adds, “I am also motivated and proud to be part of a legacy in an organisation that empowers women. To hear the success stories motivates me to further to assist the organisation in helping more disadvantaged families.”

For Phil, every family supported is a reminder of the lasting difference compassion, opportunity and practical support can make.

We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent

Ann Butcher

Big Group Hug

Compassionate. Reliable. Selfless

Ann Butcher has devoted more than 1,500 volunteer hours to helping children experiencing hardship access the essentials they need to thrive. As Toy Supervisor at Big Group Hug, she volunteers at least three times a week, preparing personalised aid packs and supporting an organisation that helps 8,600 children every year.

Connie Tuddenham

1st Coburg Scout Group

Committed. Motivated. Inclusive.

Through 38 years of dedication to Scouting, Connie Tuddenham has helped more than 1,000 young people build confidence, develop life skills and discover a sense of belonging. At 1st Coburg Scout Group, she supports volunteers, organises camps, manages membership and fundraises, helping create opportunities for young people to learn, lead and challenge themselves.

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Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Airport West nominees and their organisations

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2027 Nominations Now Open

Do you know someone making a difference in your community? Tell us in 200 words why they should be a Westfield Local Hero and they could receive a $20,000 grant for their organisation.

Find out more here

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Westfield Local Heroes: A Financial Review award-winning program

Since its inception in 2018, the Westfield Local Heroes program has granted over $11 million to over 1,000 community organisations. In recognition of the program and its social impact, Scentre Group (owner and operator of Westfield destinations in Australia and New Zealand) was recently named as this year’s winner of the Financial Review Sustainability Leaders in the Retail, hospitality, tourism and entertainment category. Read more about the award and the program’s impact here.

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Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Airport West nominees and their organisations.