Meet Timothy Chiu: DSR Kid’s Camp Volunteer

[Image ID: A portrait of Timothy Chiu smiling. He is wearing a wind breaker, has short dark hair and is of Asian descent. In the background in a line of thick trees with light frost.]

If you’ve been to a Disability Spor & Recreation (DSR) Kid’s camp, you know Timothy Chiu. Tim has been an essential part of what makes DSR Kid’s Camp a fun adventure for all for roughly 28 years. An achievement that was acknowledged when Tim won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards for his work at the DSR kid’s camp.

Inspired by International Volunteer Day, we’d like to once again celebrate everything Tim does at DSR. We also took the opportunity to ask Tim a few questions about volunteering and DSR Kid’s Camp.

[Image ID: Timothy Chiu is helping a child string a bow and arrow for an archery activity. Tim is wearing sunglasses, a cap and a blue shirt. The child is wearing a bucket hat, a black hoodie and is a wheelchair user. In the background is grass and tall gum trees.]

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself

“I am trained as a physiotherapist, but now work in public health. I love participating in outdoor activities including rock climbing, sailing, mountain biking, skiing, four-wheel driving, camping and hiking.”

Q: What motivated you to start volunteering?

“I started volunteering when I was a physiotherapy student and felt that getting involved with children with disabilities would help me be a better physiotherapist whilst at the same time supporting kids to be able to participate in the sort of activities I love.

Q: How long have you been volunteering and why do you keep volunteering?

"I started volunteering in December 1993, when DSR was called Wheelchair Sports

Victoria; so that makes it 28 years!”

Q: How did you get involved with Disability Sport & Recreation?

“At school, I always got so much out of camps, whether it be social development, trying new activities, promoting independence or building confidence. These are things that all children should have the opportunity to experience and develop. At that time, many schools did not have the ability to support children with disabilities on camps, which meant that they missed out, so I saw these camps as a way to support children with disabilities to give them the same opportunities.”

Q: What is the best part of the DSR camps?

“At every camp (and I’ve been on a lot of camps) I see kids achieving things they never thought they would be able to do or experience something new. The best part about DSR camps is seeing how proud they are of their achievements and seeing them connect with other children with disabilities.”

Q: What would you say to anybody thinking of volunteering?

“I would warn anyone thinking of volunteering that they will experience feelings of guilt when they realise they are having as much fun on the camps as the kids. One could argue that the volunteers get as much out of the camps as the kids!”

[Image ID: Timothy Chiu assisting a DSR kids camper at the end of rope course and flying fox. The child is has a blue helmet, a harness and is suspended in a specialty wheelchair above the ground. Tim is holding a rope taught while talking to the child. He is wearing a blue shirt, cap and sunglasses. They are in the bush on a sunny day]

Looking for an Adventure this Summer?

Summer camp is a fun and exciting opportunity for kids with a disability to improve on independence, social skills and to make lifelong memories. This year’s camp is taking place in February and will be held at YMCA’s accessible venue, Camp Manyung in Mt Eliza, 18 February 2022 - 20 February 2022. Find out how to get involved here.