Your 2026 Westfield Carousel Local Hero is:

Elvie Yap

Visionary, Inclusive, Empowering

When Elvie Yap arrived in Perth as a migrant, she encountered the isolation that can come with a language barrier and an unfamiliar culture. That experience shaped her purpose. As founder and Chairperson of Culture Care WA, she now connects culturally diverse families with community events, health information and local services across Perth's south-east metropolitan area.

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

Pat Foster

Patient, caring, inspirational

Children who read with a dog beside them often find it easier to relax and try. As a local coordinator for the organisation Story Dogs, Pat Foster has given that experience to hundreds of local students, recruiting new dog-and-handler teams, connecting schools to the program, and organising events with her dog Fergus that bring in volunteers and donations.

Scott Duffield

Compassionate, dependable, pioneering

Six years of consistent mentoring, governance leadership, and hands-on commitment mark Scott Duffield's contribution to Leading Youth Forward. He has strengthened child-safe practices and championed changes to volunteer support. He is committed to ensuring young people have an outlet of fun and positive role models outside their home or school.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Carousel 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.