Westfield Kotara is calling on the people of Newcastle and the Hunter to nominate a local hero who deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

It’s part of Westfield’s new Local Heroes campaign, which is open to individuals in all sectors, including business, government, education, sports, welfare, community and not-for-profit.

Nominations are open now until Wednesday 16 May 2018 with three grants of $10,000 each up for grabs.

Westfield Kotara Centre Manager, Sarah Sylvester said the campaign aimed to discover and celebrate individuals who promote social wellbeing and/or harmony in the local community through their work, programs or activities, across one or more of the three social values: family, youth opportunity and inclusion.

“All Local Heroes nominations will be assessed by a selection panel against the key criteria to create a shortlist of six local finalists,” Sarah said.

“Those finalists will be promoted in our centre and via our communication activities, with the community invited to vote for their preferred Westfield Local Hero.”

The three successful Westfield Local Heroes that result from the public vote will each be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their affiliated organisation’s work and programs to grow and thrive.

All nominees must be affiliated (i.e. volunteer, member, agent, employee) with an organisation or group that is a ‘registered entity’. This includes, but is not limited to, registered community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profits, schools, authorities, government bodies and commercial businesses.

To be recognised as a Westfield Local Hero, the nominee’s work, program or activity must benefit the local community.

The promotion of the six finalists and call fo the community to vote for their Westfield Local Hero will commence from 18 June 2018. The winners will then be announced on Monday 13 August 2018.

IMAGE | WestfiedKotara is looking for local heroes.