By Goya Dmytryshchak
A Yarraville resident and Sunshine Hospital health worker has been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with children with disabilities.
Timothy Chiu was honoured in the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards for his volunteering with junior sport and recreation camps held twice a year.
“It might be campfire cooking activities or we might go down to the beach and take them surfing,” he said.
“Then, in the winter, there’s a ski camp which is held at Falls Creek and we take the kids –not all of whom but many of whom are in wheelchairs – and we take them skiing or snowboarding.”
Mr Chiu started volunteering with the camps 27 years ago.
“I’m a physiotherapist by training and I was at university then and I saw a notice on the physiotherapy notice board seeking volunteers,” he said.
“I’ve always love school camps and I thought combining that with what I was learning at the time … might be a good match.
“Essentially, it’s still the same in terms of getting children involved and trying to build their independence and confidence and social interactions with other children with disabilities.
“It’s incredible. The children are usually between the ages of eight and 17, so they have different needs at different ages.
“The main thing that I see them get out of it is not only just having a great time and having fun, but the ability to challenge themselves and do something different in a very safe environment.”
The awards will be formally announced as a virtual event on December 3.
