Your 2026 Westfield Geelong Local Hero is:

Amy Hunter-Flint

The Outpost

Compassionate. Strategic. Courageous.

Amy Hunter-Flint has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, The Outpost.

Under Amy Hunter-Flint's leadership and through her personal commitment, a vital support service for people in need has grown to meet escalating demand during the cost-of-living crisis. The Outpost provides over 76,000 meals and drinks annually to people experiencing hardship, along with clothing, hygiene products and a safe dignified space. These services help up to 120 people every day, from those facing homelessness to families in financial difficulties, people encountering domestic violence, the elderly and students.

As Board Chair, Amy has guided The Outpost through the past year’s enormous growth in service demand, expanding its reach and ensuring it can offer meals to those in need every single day of the year. She actively fosters community partnerships and fundraising, and build awareness of genuine need. Amy's personal empathy also sees her volunteering every week at the Sunday night shift. She spent a week on the streets, living rough side by side with people experiencing homelessness, to raise awareness and understanding of their challenges.

“The guests of the Outpost are the strongest, most generous and grateful people I have ever encountered,” says Amy. “It is their strength and resilience against the odds that motivates me to advocate for a group of people who are stigmatised, misunderstood and often villainised,” she adds.  

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

Nicki Dunne

Wombat's Wish

Caring. Dedicated. Impactful.

Nicki Dunne has spent 35 years supporting vulnerable children and families across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. Now leading at Wombat's Wish, she provides early grief support to children aged five to 17 who have lost a parent. Through free, accessible help - including counselling and family days - Nicki guides young people from isolation towards connection and emotional wellbeing.

Scott Smith

Geelong Stars Sport Club

Passionate. Fair. Patient.

Scott Smith’s Geelong Stars gives children and young people living with disabilities a welcoming place to play sport, build confidence and belong. Through adaptive programs including football, basketball, gymnastics, golf, cycling, running and walking, Scott helps make participation possible for every family.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Geelong 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.