Your 2026 Westfield Marion Local Hero is:

Renee Staska 

Little Heroes Foundation

Compassionate. Brave. Inspiring.

Renee Staska has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, Little Heroes Foundation.

Renee is a single parent to three children, all diagnosed with a form of childhood dementia. In her volunteering as an ambassador for Little Heroes Foundation, she draws on her experiences and shares her story to help other families who are navigating serious childhood illness.

Little Heroes Foundation supports seriously ill children and their loved ones in South Australia through fundraising and advocacy. The organisation’s vision is to ensure children receive the very best care, no matter how rare their diagnosis.

Through her work for the organisation, Renee helps people feel less alone and better informed as they face complex decisions and long-term care needs. She demonstrates her understanding and compassion by speaking at events, which in turn helps raise awareness, increases community understanding and generates vital donations.

Renee explains, "My motivation comes from my three beautiful children. Their journey drives everything I do." 

She adds, “I would move mountains for them, and that same determination fuels my commitment to speak up for other families who may not be able to use their voice. I am driven to create meaningful, lasting change for all families navigating this incredibly challenging journey.”

In addition to her advocacy, Renee works closely with the Childhood Dementia Initiative to help develop practical resources that guide families through diagnosis, care, and ongoing support.

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

Neil Davis

Sammy D Foundation

Dedicated. Humble. Visionary.

For 18 years, the Sammy D Foundation has delivered evidence-based violence-prevention education across South Australia, with Neil Davis leading that work throughout. Through school presentations covering bullying, youth violence and decision-making, Neil and his team have reached hundreds of thousands of young people, helping them navigate challenges and make safer choices. 

Wendy Hall

Dementia Doulas Australia

Engaging. Knowledgeable. Caring

Caring for a family member with dementia can be isolating, but through Dementia Doulas Wendy Hall builds connections and practical support that help carers manage their daily challenges. Having founded the organisation, she now runs support groups and trains Dementia Doulas, non-professionals who provide emotional and practical support for people living with the condition and their families.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Marion 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.