Your 2026 Westfield Tea Tree Plaza Local Hero is:

Sandy Stone

Inclusive. Selfless. Caring.

Sandy has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, I-CASPA Singing and Performing Arts.

Through Sandy Stone’s inclusive performing arts program, people with disabilities have the chance to perform and share their talents with the wider community to nurture understanding and inclusion.

With a deep passion for the performing arts, Sandy co-founded I-CASPA Singing Performing Arts Program to help people with intellectual disabilities explore singing and performance skills through community event showcases.

She is motivated by the growth she sees in those involved. “What drives me at I-CASPA is witnessing the profound impact on individuals. Seeing participants gain confidence, find their voice, and take pride in their achievements is deeply rewarding,” she says.

Sandy's work reaches beyond the performers, to families, carers, volunteers and the public audiences who attend performances. As a result, she raises awareness and champions inclusion within the community.

Sandy explains, “The greatest challenge is helping the public understand life with a disability. Participants may communicate through speech differences, alternative methods, or non-verbal cues, which can be misunderstood.”

Through her work, Sandy is dedicated to fostering better community understanding of those differences, by challenging perceptions, celebrating ability and giving performers the chance to shine.

“I-CASPA’s work breaks down barriers, nurtures compassion, and ensures every voice, regardless of how it is expressed, is heard, valued, and celebrated,” says Sandy.

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

Marial Machar

Rams Sports Group

Dedicated. Purposeful. Transformative.

Marial Machar founded Rams Sport Group to build a place for belonging and opportunity for young people from culturally diverse and marginalised communities; something he felt was missing during his childhood upbringing. His basketball program engages hundreds of young people each week through sport, mentoring and wellbeing support.

Terry Davenport

Surrey Downs Men's Social Group

Committed. Compassionate. Determined.

Terry Davenport helps people across Surrey Downs find connection, support and community. Through the Men's Social Group and other programs including Chat Seat program, counselling and live-music sing-alongs, the retired counsellor is tackling social isolation and helping people access support when they need it most.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Tea Tree Plaza 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.