They give their time, energy and heart to make a difference in your community. Now, with one simple vote, you have the chance to help them do even more.

With $30,000 in grants to be awarded at Westfield Chermside, your vote can help a local hero create an even greater impact. Meet your three Westfield Local Hero finalists and discover their stories behind the meaningful difference they're making in the lives of others every day.

How to vote

Simply scan the QR code in centre or click ‘Vote Now’ below.

Visit the exhibition space located outside Kmart on Level 1 from 25 August to 20 September to learn more about your three Westfield Local Hero finalists and the incredible work they're doing in the community.

Meet our Westfield Local Hero finalists

Carolina Puleston

Commonkind

Driven. Compassionate. Resilient.

Carolina Puleston built Commonkind to provide volunteering opportunities for young people and families in North Brisbane. Her programs – including packing breakfast boxes and mobilising community donations – help the next generation to understand social issues and become compassionate citizens, while also providing much-needed help to those in need.

If successful, the grant will be used for immediate food relief through the breakfast box program, benefitting 2,000 vulnerable children and expansion of the ‘Learn by Heart’ volunteer service program or long-term community impact.

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Mia Bannister

Ollie's Echo: Pathways to Prevention

Courageous. Purposeful. Pioneering.

Through Ollie's Echo: Pathways to Prevention, the charity she established in memory of her son, Mia Bannister delivers prevention education and advocates for earlier recognition and support of eating disorders. Mia works with schools, clinicians, businesses and communities to protect all young people, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked experiences of boys and young men.

If Mia is successful, the money will allow support for up to 3,000 students in 12 months, and will be used for governance and reporting to ensure sustainability and scalability.

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Suki O'Dea

Nexus Care

Driven. Compassionate. Resilient.

Every year, Suki O’Dea coordinates dozens of volunteers to deliver over 4,500 food parcels and more than 20,000 breakfasts to North Brisbane families living in hardship through her organisation, Nexus Care. Serving the community from a small kitchen in Everton Park, she ensures people get the nutrition they need and brings them inclusivity, care and a sense of dignity.

If Suki is successful, the money would provide 663 food parcels - the equivalent of 39,787 meals - with each parcel designed to feed a family of four for a week.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Chermside nominees and their organisations.