We are excited to announce Samuel Thomas from Sam's Spares as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Westfield Carousel!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Samuel Thomas at Sam's Spares to continue to grow their impact in the local community.

The 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 125 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Your 2024 Westfield Carousel Local Hero is:

Samuel (Sam) Thomas

Sam’s Spares
Humble. Driven. Compassionate.

In 2022, at only 17-years-old, Sam Thomas co-founded his non-profit organisation, Sam’s Spares which aims to support the neurodivergent community and close the digital divide through repairing and redistributing donated IT E-waste. The organisation combined three of Sam’s loves: technology, the environment and helping others.

Through Sam’s Spares, discarded computer electronics are repaired, then distributed for free through partner organisations to ensure that the devices reach those who need it most. This year in just 7 months Sam has donated over one million dollars’ worth of free refurbished IT back to the WA community.

“Imagine waking up every day and doing the thing you love most in the world,” Sam says. “Imagine that your work not only aligns with your values but also has a profound impact on your community and the planet we all share. That’s what I get to do through Sam’s Spares.”

As a neurodivergent man with Autism and Tourette's syndrome, Sam is also working to challenge stereotypes about people with disabilities. He provides one on-one training in IT repairs to neurodivergent volunteers and gives them a sense of purpose as they contribute to a meaningful cause and work alongside like-minded individuals.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Carousel Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Sam’s Spares will use the grant towards buying a van, allowing the organisation to accept donations that require pick up which currently must be turned down.

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We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...

Joan Sutherland from The Haven Centre

73-year-old Joan Sutherland founded The Haven Centre to support those in need. At the centre, she provides meals, fresh food, pantry items, toiletries, showers, laundry facilities and sleeping bags. After recovering from a stroke in 2021, Joan's dedication continued, resulting in the distribution of over 100,000 kg of fresh food last year.

Leah Atkinson from Operation Sunshine WA

Inspired by the challenges she has overcome in life, Leah Atkinson supports women and children impacted by violence and crisis. As founder and chairperson of Operation Sunshine WA, Leah provides emergency care packs to displaced women, children and young people. Under her leadership, Operation Sunshine benefits over 3,000 people annually.

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If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Carousel nominees and their organisations.