Your 2026 Westfield Southland Local Hero is:

Emily Daniel

Parkdale Pantry

Humble. Dedicated. Compassionate.

Emily Daniel has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, Parkdale Pantry.

Through her work with Parkdale Pantry, Emily Daniel rescues quality surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring it reaches the people who need it. When Emily started the food rescue initiative, it was a small neighbourhood project, but she has since grown it into a recognised and trusted local service. Under her guidance, Parkdale Pantry saves more than 250 tonnes of edible food from landfill and redistributes it for free through outdoor pantries, seasonal markets and a network of community organisations across Kingston, Bayside and surrounding suburbs.

Emily explains what drives her daily. “My parents, both trained chefs, inspired my love for food and community work, while Scouting and Guiding shaped my belief in service and giving back,” she says. “Over the last years, I've watched Parkdale Pantry grow into a thriving hub where old and young connect, share recipes, laugh, and bond.”

Over the past five years, Emily has built a dedicated volunteer team, established trusted systems and created a welcoming community hub centred on sustainability and connection. Today, Parkdale Pantry brings people together through food, creating a place where neighbours can connect, contribute and support one another.

“Each challenge strengthened both me and the pantry, and now our team can support more people sustainably,” Emily says. “Seeing the trust and support we've earned from strangers motivates me daily.”

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

Deb Brook

Bayside Community Emergency Relief

Resilient. Amazing. Strong.

When people and animals are facing hardship, Deb Brook helps ensure they don't face it alone. Through Bayside Community Emergency Relief, she coordinates a network of volunteers who provide essential supplies, practical assistance and comfort to vulnerable community members both locally and during emergencies across the state.

Nathan Scagliarini

Speak & Share

Empathetic. Adaptable. Inspiring.

Through his work with Speak & Share, Nathan delivers mental health workshops to thousands of young people each year. As a former teacher, he brings valuable experience to this work, drawing on his background to create safe spaces where students can build emotional skills and the confidence to tackle life’s challenges.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Southland 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.