Voting has now closed for Westfield Local Heroes

We congratulate all of our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

This year Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand totalling $1.25M. Now in its 7th year, the Westfield Local Heroes program will have contributed $8.6M to more than 860 successful Local Hero organisations since it began.

Voting has now closed and the Westfield Local Heroes will be announced 15 October.

Meet our Local Hero finalists

Kirsten Smedley

Dress for Success

Inclusive. Bold. Kind.

Kirsten Smedley helps women facing challenges by providing professional clothing and career services. As central manager at Dress for Success Auckland, she leads a team of 91 volunteers. Every year, the organisation empowers over 1,100 women to help them gain employment or commence study and achieve financial independence.

If Kirsten is successful in the community vote, the funding will cover the cost of providing specialist dressing and career services to 80 clients.

Sarah Ferens

Recreate NZ

Dedicated. Compassionate. Hopeful.

As the head of Recreate NZ’s employment program, Sarah Ferens empowers young people with disabilities. She is passionate about helping forge pathways for rangatahi (youth) towards independence and social inclusion. Through her leadership, Recreate NZ supports over 300 people annually, offering work skills education, employment opportunities and fostering belonging and inclusion within the community.

If Sarah is successful in the community vote, the money will be used to increase Recreate NZ’s program capacity and help more rangatahi with disabilities.

Starsha Samarasinghe

Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust

Passionate. Determined. Empathetic.

Starsha Samarasinghe overcame personal mental health challenges and now supports other rangatahi to do the same. As the volunteer coordinator at Youthline Auckland, she trains and supports volunteer counsellors who staff Youthline’s 24/7 Helpline. Her efforts ensure volunteers provide life-saving support to thousands of rangatahi.

If Starsha is successful in the community vote, the money will help pay for the annual cost of clinical supervision within the Helpline service. Clinical supervision supports volunteer counsellors to ensure they can manage the often difficult and emotional conversations that occur.

Voting is now closed for Westfield Local Heroes.

The successful 2024 Westfield Newmarket Local Hero will be announced on 15 October. We congratulate all of our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community. Thank you for your votes.

If you need support, please phone Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354