Young Samuel Thomas, founder of the Gosnells-based not-for-profit Sam’s Spares, has been named the 2024 Westfield Carousel Local Hero, taking home a $20,000 grant for his organisation.
In 2022, at 17-years-old, Samuel, a self-taught IT repairman, founded Sam’s Spares, where he and his volunteer team repair and refurbish computers, laptops, mobiles, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices, offering them free of charge to individuals requiring support across WA.
Now 20 years old, Samuel said he was humbled to be named the Westfield Carousel Local Hero of the Year and is grateful for the positive impact it allowed him to have on individuals and communities.
“Sam’s Spares started as a way to help those who needed technology, but it’s become so much more—a way to bridge the digital divide and empower people in my community,” he said.
“Being recognised for something I’m so passionate about is a reminder that the work we’re doing is making a real difference, and that feels incredibly rewarding.”
Being neurodivergent himself, Samuel knows how important access to technology can be for personal development and empowerment.
“Whether it’s giving a student their first laptop or mentoring neurodivergent youth to develop their IT skills, I know we’re helping to change lives,” he said.
“Watching someone gain confidence because they finally have access to technology or the support they need is something I never get tired of.”
In just six and a half months earlier this year, Sam’s Spares provided over 2,500 pieces of technology to individuals and organisations in need, achieving their goal of distributing $1 million worth of free technology while diverting it from landfills and into the hands of those who need it most.
Thanking his mother, along with the volunteers, corporate partners, and the entire local community, Samuel believes none of this would have been possible without their unwavering support and dedication.
Despite the remarkable success already achieved, Samuel would like to see the organisation grow further.
“Our big goal is to find a forever home for Sam’s Spares—a space that will allow us to continue growing without the worry of relocating,” he said.
“We want to create a lasting hub for repairing and refurbishing IT e-waste, tech training, and community support, ensuring that we can keep making an impact for years to come.”
For the past three years, he has used his personal Ute for donations, so he plans to invest the $20,000 prize money in a new collection van.
“Having a dedicated van will help us increase our capacity and efficiency, allowing us to collect more IT e-waste and distribute more tech to those in need,” he explained.
“It’s a big step forward for us in expanding our operations.”
Other finalists for the 2024 Westfield Carousel Local Hero award, each receiving a $5,000 grant, included 73-year-old Joan Sutherland, who founded The Haven Centre in East Victoria Park to provide essential support such as meals, fresh food, toiletries, and showers to those in need, as well as Leah Atkinson, the founder and chairperson of Operation Sunshine WA, recognised for her commitment to helping women and children affected by violence and crisis.
