Local Hero Recognition Program

What is a Local Hero?                                                             

A Local Hero is an individual who has performed a self-sacrificing act of courage and bravery that significantly impacts the local community or another person’s life.

Glen Eira’s Local Hero Recognition Program commenced in 2023 to acknowledge and honour those Glen Eira residents who have acted selflessly to protect other people or the community from risk of danger or harm. These heroes demonstrate care for others, the importance of social connection and provide inspiration for the broader community.

Local Hero 2023

Our first ever recognised Local Hero is Kate Beckett. Kate has been recognised for her efforts to save her neighbours. On a Sunday in March 2022, at her home in Caulfield North, Kate was cleaning the windows of her flat when she was alerted by some ash that passed her window. She looked out and noticed a house was on fire. Kate, being a mother and intensive care nurse, responded immediately and with great bravery. Kate ran to the house, knocked on the front door, and a reluctant elderly woman answered. Kate helped the woman and her husband out of their burning house to safety.

Kate saved two lives that day and we acknowledge her bravery as a Local Hero.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a Local Hero nomination, the nominee must:

• be a Glen Eira resident;
• have performed an act of bravery in Glen Eira or elsewhere that has made a significant impact on the local community or a person(s) life due to their heroic behaviour; and

• have given their permission to be nominated.

What is the nomination process?

Nominations are open all year round.

1. Nominations are made using the SmartyGrants portal [https://gleneira.smartygrants.com.au/LocalHero24].
2. Nominations are assessed to determine whether they meet the Local Hero criteria.  
3. A Council Officer will contact both the nominator and nominee to confirm details.
4. All eligible Local Hero nominees will be recognised with a letter from the Mayor.
5. All eligible nominees will be invited to the annual Community Awards event and be presented with a certificate to recognise their heroic act.
6. The Local Hero may be contacted by a Council Officer to arrange a possible interview for an article to appear in the Glen Eira News and other publications. 

Conditions of entry

• Nominations must be made online using the SmartyGrants portal.
• The name of at least one witness/corroborator must be supplied.
• Nomination information and material submitted will remain the property of Glen Eira City Council.
• The decision of Glen Eira City Council in relation to the award will be based on sufficient substantiation of the information provided.

For further information, email communityawards@gleneira.vic.gov.au or phone 9524 3333.