Tony Sharp - Round 1, 2018 Champion

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Turning e-waste into a digital innovation hub

Tony Sharp is the founder of social enterprise e-waste recycling facility Substation 33 which supports people in marginalised communities to gain workplace experience and enhance their digital skills.

Creating a space welcome to all, Tony has generated opportunities for a wide range of people including those with a disability, long term unemployed or people experiencing barriers to employment, to university graduates and professionals wanting to give back to community.

Since its initial inception, Substation33 has grown to include eight mini-stations in local special schools, four social franchises around South East Queensland, and an innovation hub that allows people to work on technology projects and co-host events that help to build members’ digital skills. Volunteers learn how to disassemble electronic waste, refurbish and resell old computers, and build custom electronic devices from recycled components.

In recent years, Tony has been working with a team of innovators to develop solutions to social issues affecting Logan. These have included the development of affordable 3D printer prototype kits for schools, enabling students to learn how to build the machines themselves. In conjunction with Logan City Council and Griffith University, the team has also created more than 70 ‘Road Flooded’ signs that automatically advise both road users and the local authority of floods by a live feed, minimising community harm in times of a disaster. The signs use Smart Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Technologies (SEMAT), a form of wireless sensor technology that can remotely monitor environments to local water management systems. The project won the Road Safety Category of the 2017 National Awards for Local Government.

Tony is the founding and current Chair of the Independent Social Enterprise Network Logan. He was also the co-founder of the inaugural Logan Startup Weekend held at Substation33 in November 2017.

As a Community Digital Champion, Tony will continue to grow digital skills in the community and pursue innovative ideas in Logan by:

  • partnering with local businesses, government and universities to grow Substation 33 initiatives and assist young people with developing their digital and social skills
  • hosting digital skills events at Substation 33, such as Startup weekends and Logan Kids Coding Club
  • providing an innovation space for people to work on their projects, fostering digital solutions to local issues.


Tony is nominated by: Griffith University

Turning e-waste into a digital innovation hub

Tony Sharp is the founder of social enterprise e-waste recycling facility Substation 33 which supports people in marginalised communities to gain workplace experience and enhance their digital skills.

Creating a space welcome to all, Tony has generated opportunities for a wide range of people including those with a disability, long term unemployed or people experiencing barriers to employment, to university graduates and professionals wanting to give back to community.

Since its initial inception, Substation33 has grown to include eight mini-stations in local special schools, four social franchises around South East Queensland, and an innovation hub that allows people to work on technology projects and co-host events that help to build members’ digital skills. Volunteers learn how to disassemble electronic waste, refurbish and resell old computers, and build custom electronic devices from recycled components.

In recent years, Tony has been working with a team of innovators to develop solutions to social issues affecting Logan. These have included the development of affordable 3D printer prototype kits for schools, enabling students to learn how to build the machines themselves. In conjunction with Logan City Council and Griffith University, the team has also created more than 70 ‘Road Flooded’ signs that automatically advise both road users and the local authority of floods by a live feed, minimising community harm in times of a disaster. The signs use Smart Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Technologies (SEMAT), a form of wireless sensor technology that can remotely monitor environments to local water management systems. The project won the Road Safety Category of the 2017 National Awards for Local Government.

Tony is the founding and current Chair of the Independent Social Enterprise Network Logan. He was also the co-founder of the inaugural Logan Startup Weekend held at Substation33 in November 2017.

As a Community Digital Champion, Tony will continue to grow digital skills in the community and pursue innovative ideas in Logan by:

  • partnering with local businesses, government and universities to grow Substation 33 initiatives and assist young people with developing their digital and social skills
  • hosting digital skills events at Substation 33, such as Startup weekends and Logan Kids Coding Club
  • providing an innovation space for people to work on their projects, fostering digital solutions to local issues.


Tony is nominated by: Griffith University