Photos | Finalists announced in the 2019 Westfield Local Heroes

Following a public nomination period earlier this year, Westfield has nominated everyday heroes who are in the running to receive one of three $10,000 grants for their chosen organisation.

These 12 finalists from St George and Sutherland Shire have been making a positive impact to promote social well-being and harmony within their community.

They represent initiatives and programs that support a range of different community values, opportunities and challenges, including homelessness, at risk youth, domestic violence, cultural awareness and disability support networks.

Westfield Hurstville centre manager Michelle Fragias says it's been heartwarming and inspiring to see the nominations coming through.

"We are excited to see support the incredible work these people do day in and day out for our community, through the Westfield Local Heroes program," she said.

Voting is open from July 30 and closes August 12.

Each Westfield centre's three successful grant recipients will be announced on October 1.

Vote here

Keaton James is a professional wrestler, but his moves outside the ring are having the most significant impact. By night, he is known as 'Captain Keato' in the wrestling world, but he spends his days working as Top Blokes Foundation mentor for young people. Known for his authenticity, he has helped more than 250 young men in the past three years, encouraging them to develop their self-confidence.

If successful, Top Blokes Foundation will be able to put on four 16-week mentoring programs at Endeavour Sports High School and Cronulla High School, supporting 48 young men.

Kim Hiron knows first-hand that granting a sick child's wish does more than create a special moment. It can help them heal. She has dedicated countless hours over many years to Make-A-Wish Australia and is a leader at the south Sydney branch. As a former 'wish' mum herself, she has experienced the positive impact wishes can have on children and their families.

"My greatest joy is being able to help grant cherished wishes," the teacher said. She loves working with children and builds personal connections with the families she helps.

If successful, Make-A-Wish Australia will put its grant towards one or more of the nine wishes on which the South Sydney branch is working.

Not only is Craig Scott a widowed dad raising two sons while working full-time for Sydney Trains, he is also a Scout leader for his group of girls and boys and a regional special needs advisor, helping to make Scouts inclusive for as many people as possible. One of his roles is to provide group leaders with strategies to cater for Scouts with special needs.

"My aim is to provide opportunities for each Scout to challenge themselves physically and intellectually, develop leadership skills and feel a sense of belonging and community," he said.

If he is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, The Scout Association of NSW will provide mental health first aid training, train leaders to help people with special needs and develop a sensory needs kit for camp activities.

International student Iveta Kohutova arrived in Australia from Slovenia seven years ago, and is making a significant difference as a youth worker and volunteer mentor. She has degrees in law and social work, believes individuals can make a positive contribution in the community and is committed to halting the cycle of juvenile crime. She is an enthusiastic activities officer in three programs at the St George Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC); Fit For Life, Fit For Change the Traffic Offenders Intervention Program.

If successful, PCYC will replace the worn and obsolete equipment used for the Fit for Life program as well as provide meals for participants.

Jenny Bombardieri responded to a request from parents of children with disabilities 32 years ago, and started a Friday night swimming class at Roselands Pool. That class, which is still running, was the catalyst for Jenny to start the non-profit Recreation Sports and Aquatics Club (RSAC), which has become a way of life for hundreds of people with disabilities. It operates from several venues and has 10 staff and 80 volunteers and provides dozens of sports programs as well as dance, drama, cooking classes, social clubs, camps holidays and family outings. She was also an OAM recipient in the 2019 Australia Day Honours.

If successful, RSAC will invest in professional set design, costumes and a professional video recording for the 50 young dance and drama participants in the club's public performance to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability 2019.

Macedonian immigrant Kiro Pasovski arrived in Australia in the 1960s with only a suitcase. He worked in factories and built a life for himself and his family, rising to a senior position at the Rockdale Council where he was in charge of 40 parks. He also immersed himself in the Macedonian community and has been a volunteer for eight charities. Now in his 80s, he is proud to have been a founding member of the Macedonian Australian Welfare Association (MAWA), which supports the Macedonian community in Australia - more than 30 years ago and is still on the board.

If successful, MAWA will hire a project worker and extend and develop the seniors nursing home visiting program.

Meni Pefkos lives and breathes diversity and inclusion. This passion led to the launch of her social enterprise, Diversity Kids, which provides bilingual and Indigenous support teams to schools and children's services. They help educators to include children who are facing barriers to participation because of language, culture or disability.

"We all know that feeling included and having a sense of belonging contribute to our wellbeing," she said. "Children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse abilities may require additional support and a voice to enable their full inclusion and authentic participation."

If successful, Diversity Kids will run a series of supported playgroups for culturally and linguistically diverse children with speech and communication delays. It will also host a community forum on the seven secrets to inclusion and engagement for children's services providers.

Nicole Scobie has dedicated her 35-year working life to supporting young people. About 28 years ago, she was a founding member of 2Connect Youth & Community, a non-profit organisation that runs social inclusion and anti-racism programs for people aged 10 to 25. She is as inspired as ever to promote social well-being and harmony, with many of the people she works with needing a helping hand to re-engage with school, work or the community. She provides practical assistance, advocacy and appropriate referrals.

"I contribute by being a consistent and reliable source of support," she said.

If successful, 2Connect Youth & Community will develop a social enterprise program to help at risk and unemployed young people create small business and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Andrew Barrs makes a point of being there for children who might otherwise miss out because their mum or dad has a mental illness. As a volunteer camp leader at the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation, he has helped hundreds of vulnerable children. He has volunteered at more than 50 of the foundation's camps over the past 12 years, providing participants with support and opportunities to form lasting connections.

"When the young people return from our weekends, families report positive changes, deeper understanding and conversations about the mental illness in their families," he said.

If successful, the foundation will enhance its volunteer program by offering regular connection through social gatherings and training.

Diane Manns is dedicated to eliminating domestic violence and assisting those who have lived through it. She is the chief executive of Sutherland Shire Family Services and leads a team of 40 social workers, psychologists, mothercraft nurses, teachers, law specialists and others who help families recover from trauma. In the 17 years she has been at the service, she has taken its impact to a new level by becoming a vocal campaigner for reducing the causes of family violence.

"We aim to provide safer outcomes for our children, young people and families," she said.

If successful, Sutherland Shire Family Services will convert a room at its offices into a purpose-built care centre for children recovering from trauma.

Rob Cook is on a mission to supply healthy hot meals to hungry people in Sutherland Shire, but his work is about more than food. Rob is a founding member of the Sutherland team at One Meal - It Makes a Difference, leading a group of volunteers who provide up to 60 meals a week to people experiencing homelessness. Food is just one aspect of the task. The volunteers also help patrons find services to get back on their feet.

"Our ultimate aim is to assist and support our patrons to return to independence," he said.

If successful, One Meal will cover the increasing operating costs of its growing service and buy a deep freezer and food handling equipment.

Shantelle Tagg believes no one should be stopped from enjoying the magic of dance because of disabilities or a lack of money. She operates Shimmy Shakes Dance Studio, which keeps its fees low and welcomes dancers who cannot join regular classes. Her inclusive classes have sign language interpreters, a high staff to student ratio and a sensory-friendly environment designed for children who would be overwhelmed in conventional studios.

"By creating an inclusive program, we aim to break down barriers for children with challenges," the former professional dancer whose oldest daughter is disabled, said.

If successful, Shimmy Shakes will provide accredited disability dance training to all staff and hire more teachers.