Your 2026 Westfield West Lakes Local Hero is:

Denny McCloud

CHATS

Compassionate. Generous. Dedicated.

Denny has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their organisation, CHATS.

During Denny McCloud’s nursing career, she cared for thousands of people; she now pours that compassion into volunteering with CHATS, supporting people experiencing homelessness, social isolation or financial hardship.

CHATS stands for Community Help and Togetherness, which is exactly what Denny personifies as she prepares the charity’s free Friday breakfasts every week and delivers life’s essential items to those without a home.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, and to have their basic needs met, such as food, shelter and access to medical help,” says Denny. She adds, “They should never be judged, just genuinely cared about."

Denny’s care for her community extends over and above the CHATS organised activities. She checks in on vulnerable people, visits hospital patients and regularly contributes clothing, bedding and toiletries to those in need.

“It never ceases to warm my heart when people finding life tough show their gratitude,” she says.

“But when we see someone pick themselves up from being so low, it is truly heartwarming and inspires us as volunteers.”

As well as helping people in need, Denny is described as the glue that connects the team of more than 30 volunteers, always offering her warmth and encouragement.

“There are so many beautiful volunteers at CHATS,” she says. “They continue to inspire me week after week.”

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

Chelsea Daughtry

Semaphore Surf Life Saving 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.

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.

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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.

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.