A photo finish in Bali

Bondi-based television host Mitchell Tomlinson come home after spending 10 days teaching the art of photography to underprivileged orphans in Bali.

Tomlinson joined the Bali Volunteer House program to help give more than 40 Balinese children essential skills to use in their future working lives.

“I’ve always wanted to volunteer at an orphanage, so helping out these kids was motivation enough for me,” he says. “Surfing all day and then volunteering in the afternoon was pretty special.”

The organisation is run by Bonnie Manning, sister of professional surfer Luke Stedman. Ms Manning says volunteers like Mitchell provide invaluable support and mentorship to the children.

“Mitchell’s work was extremely important to the kids,” says Ms Manning. “It inspired them to focus on their dreams and build on their crafts.”

When not busy talking action and adventure on ABC3’s Rush TV, Tomlinson pursues his passion for photography.

“I have always loved taking photos and I always have a camera in my hand wherever I go,” he says. “I do a bunch of lifestyle, music and fashion shoots and run a photography website with my best mate.”

Despite being strangers to photography, Tomlinson says the kids learnt to love the camera in no time.

“Some of them were a little bit shy at first, but 15 minutes into the class and they were having the time of their life.

“Most classes go for about an hour but mine ended up going for two hours. I would stay for dinner and they would still be running around snapping shots.”

Tomlinson also donated a printer and photo-editing program to the organisation but goodwill aside, he says the best part of the journey was the kids themselves.

“All the boys and girls were so inspiring. They have nothing and yet continue to be so happy and full of life,” he says.

“On the last day they took a photo of themselves and gave me the image. That was pretty special.”

Tomlinson will be heading back to the Bali Volunteer House later this year and is looking forward to doing volunteer work around the world.
– By Sheenal Singh