Annually, Westfield recognises and awards individuals across Australia and New Zealand who impact their local communities in positive, lasting ways.
Westfield have announced the winners of the Westfield Local Heroes program.
Across 42 Westfield locations, a hero is celebrated and given a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and finalists each receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation. Altogether, the Scentre Group, owner of Westfield destinations, are giving away $1.24 million from a total of 125 grants.
The 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Westfield Hornsby is Sian Gordon from The Burdekin Association.
Sian has worked with The Burdekin Association for five years. The organisation is a volunteer-run crisis refuge for youth based in the Northern Beaches. Sian provides accommodation, teaches life skills, and manages youth housing across Hornsby and the Beaches. She was named a Local Hero for her dedication to tacking youth homelessness.
‘Many of these young people have never had a positive adult in their life,’ says Sian. ‘By really listening and being consistent, we enable them to trust.’
Finalists for the award at Hornsby Westfield will receive a smaller $5,000 grant.
Aileen Mountfield, Founder and Executive Director of the Lisa Harnum Foundation, which supports women and children facing domestic violence, was a finalist.
Lisa Rowling, National Support Services Co-ordinator at the Children’s Tumour Foundation, was another finalist.
Nominations for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program are open.