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

Joan Sutherland

The Haven Centre

Committed. Compassionate. Humble.

73-year-old Joan Sutherland founded The Haven Centre to support those in need. At the centre, she provides meals, fresh food, pantry items, toiletries, showers, laundry facilities and sleeping bags. After recovering from a stroke in 2021, Joan's dedication continued, resulting in the distribution of over 100,000 kg of fresh food last year.

If Joan is successful in the community vote, the money will be used to provide more meals to those in need. Some funds will also pay for insurance, electricity and other essentials to keep the service running.

Leah Atkinson

Operation Sunshine WA

Prosocial. Humble. Inspirational.

Inspired by the challenges she has overcome in life, Leah Atkinson supports women and children impacted by violence and crisis. As founder and chairperson of Operation Sunshine WA, Leah provides emergency care packs to displaced women, children and young people. Under her leadership, Operation Sunshine benefits over 3,000 people annually.

If Leah is successful in the community vote, the funds will be used to purchase items for emergency care kits. Each kit contains brand new toiletries, clothing and comfort items.

Samuel (Sam) Thomas

Sam’s Spares

Humble. Driven. Compassionate.

Sam Thomas co-founded Sam’s Spares at age 17 to repair IT E-waste and donate it back to those in need. Sam also works with other neurodivergent volunteers, training them in IT repair skills. This year Sam has donated over one million dollars in free refurbished IT back to the WA community.

If Sam is successful in the community vote, the money will go towards buying a van, allowing the organisation to accept donations that require pick up which currently must be turned down.

Voting is now closed for Westfield Local Heroes.

The successful 2024 Westfield Carousel 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