Your 2025 Westfield Carindale Local Hero is:

Darren Playle

The Tukka Project

Driven. Passionate. Caring.

With one in five Australian households experiencing food insecurity – that is, a lack of consistent access to safe and nutritious meals - Darren’s pioneering work to ensure no child goes hungry at school is vital for the community. 

 Darren is a co-founder of The Tukka Project, which employs a unique method to provide free food for children across southeast Brisbane: meals are prepared and packed by volunteer students in schools and then delivered to children elsewhere who would otherwise go without. 

There is consistent and growing demand for this support, as Darren explains, “Our work benefits more than 500 school kids each week. We receive new requests on a weekly basis from schools asking us to provide nutritious meals to their students.” 

Without adequate regular nutrition, children might experience behavioural and social issues, a lack of attention span and poor educational outcomes. The service provided by Darren, and his fellow volunteers of all ages means that children experiencing hardship can lead a healthy and active life, with the opportunity to learn and thrive.

Having experienced food insecurity himself at a young age, Darren is acutely aware of the difference he can make. 

“We founded The Tukka Project to amplify the impact that our skills , experience and knowledge can have,  ensuring no child is left behind,“ he says.

The $20,000 grant will be used to fund food supplies and to purchase a commercial fridge, freezer and storage boxes.  

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We’d like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...

Drew Lochrie from 4 Voices Global

Drew volunteers with 4 Voices Global in Spring Hill, a mobile service supporting women affected by domestic violence. His calm, empathetic approach fosters trust in those who may feel initial distrust. Through his own lived experience, he helps women regain strength and independence. His presence shows men can play a positive role in rebuilding women’s lives.

Peter Grieve from The Cage Youth Foundation

Peter and his wife started The Cage foundation in 2001 to support disadvantaged young people in Redlands and families suffering isolation and hardship. Starting as events in skateparks, it’s grown into a community centre offering mentoring, meals, and crisis care. Self-funded and community-driven, Peter’s initiative sustains the charity through lawn care and graffiti removal services in the local area.

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

Recognising all our 2025 nominees

[View all of the Westfield nominees and their organisations.]