Voting has now closed for Westfield Local Heroes

We congratulate all of our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

This year Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand totalling $1.25M. Now in its 7th year, the Westfield Local Heroes program will have contributed $8.6M to more than 860 successful Local Hero organisations since it began.

Voting has now closed and the Westfield Local Heroes will be announced 15 October.

Meet our Local Hero finalists

Jolene Ellat

Domestic Abuse Resource Training Group

Compassionate. Empowering. Visionary.

Jolene Ellat is the CEO and founder of the Domestic Abuse Resource Training Institute (DART). She advocates against gendered violence and has trained thousands of front-line workers to support survivors and engage users of violence, benefiting over 100,000 people impacted by domestic violence. Her programs bridge critical gaps in the system, raising community awareness and fostering informed responses to domestic violence.

If Jolene is successful in the community vote, the money will be used to support DART’s schools’ primary prevention and awareness program, benefitting hundreds of young people.

Michelle Forsyth

Port School’s Young Parent Centre

Motivating. Compassionate. Supportive.

Michelle Forsyth is dedicated to supporting young mothers achieve their educational goals. As the centre manager at Port School’s Young Parent Centre, she creates a safe, judgment-free learning environment. Michelle’s commitment includes offering counselling, organising events and providing transportation. Her efforts profoundly impact the lives of young mothers.

If Michelle is successful in the community vote, the money will go towards buying a vehicle or utilising a transport service to help get mums and their babies to school each day.

Serena Gamble

Feed it Forward Incorporated

Caring. Compassionate. Committed.

Serena Gamble has volunteered with Feed it Forward since 2019. She collects food donations, preventing thousands of kilos from entering landfill, and distributes them from a community pantry at her home. Roughly 150 households benefit from her efforts weekly. Serena also helps prepare emergency hampers, distributes donated fruit to schools and supports parenting groups.

If Serena is successful in the community vote, the money will be used to pay for volunteer and public liability insurance, as well as marketing material and petrol vouchers to assist volunteers.

Voting is now closed for Westfield Local Heroes.

The successful 2024 Westfield Booragoon Local Hero will be announced on 15 October. We congratulate all of our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community. Thank you for your votes.

If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14