The 2026 Westfield Local Heroes have been announced, following a public voting process between three finalists per Westfield. The winners receive a $20,000 grant to support their organisation and projects, with the runners-up each receiving $5,000 grants.
Bronwen Simmons has been announced the Westfield Warringah Mall Local Hero. As the community relations manager at Bear Cottage, a children’s hospice in Manly, Bronwen brings together the community to support families of children with life-limiting illnesses and raises tens of thousands of dollars every year through initiatives that connect families, volunteers and supporters with Bear Cottage’s care.
Westfield Chatswood’s Local Hero is Peter Quinn from Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury. Peter founded the group Mates in Mind, supporting local sporting clubs to improve mental wellbeing and create cultural change. The group operates under a peer-led model, aiming to build mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and equip players and members with practical skills.
Peter aims to use the grant to support the launch of a pilot program aiming to support sporting clubs in addressing and understanding player mental health struggles.
The community is encouraged to nominate Westfield Local Heroes for 2027. ‘We encourage everyone to think about the inspiring leaders in their own community and nominate someone they know for the 2027 Westfield Local Heroes program,’ Scentre Group National Community Manager Pam Wilson said. Scentre Group owns and operates Westfield shopping centres.
View each of the local heroes on Westfield’s website.