From helping children discover volunteering to improving eating-disorder awareness and getting food onto family tables, three North Brisbane community leaders are being recognised through Westfield Chermside’s 2026 Local Heroes program.
Carolina Puleston of Commonkind, Mia Bannister of Ollie’s Echo: Pathways to Prevention and Suki O’Dea of Nexus Care are the three finalists representing Westfield Chermside. Voting closed on 20 September, with the successful Local Hero due to be announced on 20 October.
The successful finalist will receive a $20,000 grant for their organisation, while the other two finalists will each receive $5,000.
Carolina Puleston creates young volunteers
Carolina Puleston founded Commonkind to give children and families more opportunities to take part in practical community service. The North Brisbane charity runs volunteering projects that allow young people to contribute directly to causes including food relief and family support. Activities have included packing breakfast boxes, sorting donated goods and helping organisations responding to hardship.
Puleston has said the organisation grew from a desire to help children understand social issues through participation rather than simply hearing about them. Commonkind’s programs are designed to involve families together, giving younger volunteers structured ways to contribute while learning about the needs of people outside their own immediate experience.
Its Learn by Heart program has included hands-on service projects connected with community organisations, including initiatives supporting families experiencing financial pressure.
Mia Bannister turns loss into prevention
Mia Bannister’s work began after the death of her 14-year-old son, Ollie. He died by suicide in January 2024 after experiencing anorexia. Bannister later established Ollie’s Echo: Pathways to Prevention, with a focus on earlier recognition of eating disorders, particularly among boys and young men.
The organisation works across schools, health settings, businesses and community groups, providing education around eating disorders, body image, mental health and early intervention. Bannister has also taken part in wider discussions about the ways eating disorders can present differently in boys and how symptoms may be missed when public understanding is shaped mainly around girls and young women.
Ollie’s Echo was registered as an Australian charity in 2024 and operates as a health-promotion charity.
Suki O’Dea keeps food moving
For Suki O’Dea, the work is immediate and practical. Through Nexus Care, she coordinates volunteers helping prepare and distribute thousands of food parcels and breakfasts to North Brisbane households experiencing financial hardship. Westfield says O’Dea helps oversee the delivery of more than 4,500 food parcels and 20,000 breakfasts each year from Nexus Care’s Everton Park operation.
Nexus Care began in Everton Park in 2011 and has since expanded its services, including food relief, emergency financial assistance, employment support and school breakfast programs. Its Fresh Start Food Program provides food parcels through Everton Park and Sandgate to eligible households under financial pressure. The organisation has also documented rising demand linked to pressures such as higher living costs, rent and tighter household budgets.
Different needs across North Brisbane
Puleston, Bannister and O’Dea are working in different parts of the community, but each finalist has built practical programs around a clearly identified need.
Commonkind introduces children and families to volunteering, Ollie’s Echo focuses on earlier recognition and prevention of eating disorders, and Nexus Care provides direct food support to households under pressure.
The successful 2026 Westfield Chermside Local Hero will be announced on 20 October.
Published 21-Sept-2026
