Thank you for voting for your 2026 Westfield West Lakes Local Hero. We are excited to announce the successful hero on 20 October.

In 2026, the successful hero for each of our 42 Westfield destinations is awarded a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent, and each finalist receives a $5,000 grant for their organisation or group.

2027 nominations open 20 October.

Meet our Westfield Local Hero finalists

Chelsea Daughtry

Semaphore Surf Lifesaving Club

Empathetic. Committed. Transformative.

Chelsea Daughtry is making Surf Life Saving at Semaphore more accessible and inclusive for families of children with disabilities. As the club's voluntary Inclusion Officer since 2024, she has delivered the first inclusive carnival for junior lifesavers, expanded the beach wheelchair program and secured grants for additional resources - all driven by her own experience as a parent of neurodivergent children.

If Chelsea is successful, the grant will be used to fund and equip a mobile sensory tent designed to support up to 25 children with additional needs.

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Denny McCloud

CHATS

Compassionate. Generous. Dedicated.

After a career in nursing, Denny McCloud now volunteers to support people experiencing homelessness, social isolation or financial hardship. Through her work with CHATS – Community Help and Togetherness – Denny supports people in need with food, essential items and compassion. She helps prepare the Friday free breakfast, checks on vulnerable people in her community, visits hospital patients, and ensures every volunteer feels valued.

If Denny is successful, the grant will sustain CHATS' weekly food hampers, breakfast program and social events, as well as funding core operational costs.

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Ella Stratton

HAS Foundation

Courageous. Caring. Determined.

Ella Stratton founded HAS Foundation after her son passed away, to provide practical and emotional support to families navigating paediatric palliative care. She offers understanding and compassion alongside care packs, memory-making initiatives and bereavement sessions. Since starting the foundation eight years ago, Ella has built a network that reaches families across the state, through volunteers, donors and partnerships.

If Ella is successful, the grant will expand the foundation’s family support experiences, including grief workshops, wellbeing sessions and connection events.

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

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield West Lakes nominees and their organisations.