“Our guests are the heart of this camp, and it is a privilege to welcome them each year and share in the joy that defines the Sony Camp experience.”John Anderson, Deputy Headmaster and Camp Coordinator
For two decades, the Toowoomba Grammar School Sony Foundation Children's Holiday Camp has been creating unforgettable experiences for children living with disability.
At the same time, it has shaped generations of young men through one of the School's most significant service learning opportunities.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Sony Camp at Toowoomba Grammar School, a milestone that reflects far more than the longevity of a successful program. It represents 20 years of friendship, compassion and service that have enriched the lives of campers, families, students, staff and volunteers alike.
Introduced to the School in 2007 by former staff member Tim Kelly, Sony Camp has become one of the most meaningful traditions in the School calendar. More than 1,300 Year 11 students have volunteered as companions over that time, providing support, encouragement and friendship to young campers while sharing in a weekend filled with fun, laughter and adventure.
Current Sony Camp Coordinator John Anderson said the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary relationships at the heart of the program.
"At its heart, the Sony Camp is about one simple but powerful goal: providing our guests with a fun, safe and memorable holiday experience," he said.
For Tim Kelly, seeing the camp reach its 20-year milestone is a source of immense pride.
"What makes this milestone so significant is that it represents far more than the longevity of a school program," he said.
“It reflects two decades of care, service and connection that have touched the lives of countless children, students, staff and volunteers.”— Tim Kelly, former Sony Camp Coordinator
Over the years, Sony Camp has fostered strong partnerships between Toowoomba Grammar School, The Glennie School and Fairholme College, with students and staff from all three schools working together to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for campers.
While the camp delivers enormous benefits for guests and their families, its influence on students is equally profound. Each companion is entrusted with the care of a young camper throughout the weekend, requiring maturity, patience, resilience and selflessness. Many students arrive unsure of what to expect, but leave with a broader perspective, deeper empathy and a greater understanding of the importance of serving others.
Former companions frequently describe Sony Camp as one of the defining experiences of their school years. Reflections collected as part of the 20-year anniversary project reveal the lasting influence the camp has had on former students, many of whom credit the experience with shaping their personal values, career paths and understanding of leadership. One Old Boy, now the principal of a school for students with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities, described Sony Camp as one of the most impactful initiatives of his time at Toowoomba Grammar School.
John Anderson believes the camp's greatest legacy lies in the relationships it creates.
"It is not the activities, costumes, discos, games or swimming sessions that define the camp," he said.
“Rather, it is the human connection that develops between guests, families, volunteers and staff that gives the experience its lasting significance.”— John Anderson, Deputy Headmaster and Camp Coordinator
The impact extends well beyond the students involved. For many families, Sony Camp provides a rare opportunity to rest and recharge, knowing their child is safe, supported and enjoying a memorable experience. Volunteers, community organisations and local supporters have also played an important role in creating special moments over the years, from visits by emergency services personnel to unique experiences made possible through the generosity of local businesses and community members.
As Toowoomba Grammar School celebrates this significant anniversary, the focus remains on the values that have sustained the camp for 20 years: kindness, inclusion, compassion and community. While campers may remember the activities, costumes, discos, games and adventures, those involved consistently point to the relationships formed during the weekend as the program's most enduring legacy.
Twenty years on, Sony Camp continues to demonstrate that some of life's most important lessons are learned through caring for others. For generations of Grammar boys, it has been a powerful reminder that leadership begins with service and that genuine human connection has the power to change lives.
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