What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Grammar School marked 20 years of Sony Foundation holiday camps last weekend, alongside Fairholme College and The Glennie School. The camp ran at Toowoomba Grammar School from Saturday 19 September to Monday 21 September 2026.
Children with disability spent the weekend with student companions, while their families received free respite. Part of Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camp Program, the event combined inclusive activities, friendship and opportunities to build independence. Similar camps also ran in Townsville and Brisbane, connecting school communities with children and families.
Why It Matters
The camps came as families faced uncertainty around National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms. More than 60 per cent of active participants are under 25, including around one-fifth aged eight or younger.
The planned changes include tighter eligibility and projected cuts of $37.8 billion over four years. These changes could place more responsibility on informal carers.
In an exclusive Q&A with The Toowoomba Minute, Sony Foundation chief executive Sophie Ryan-McPhee discussed families’ need for respite.
“With families facing uncertainty around NDIS supports and potential changes to eligibility, supplementary programs like Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camp can provide a valuable source of respite and connection.”
She also explained how respite can benefit siblings and the wider family.
“Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camps give children with disability the opportunity to spend a weekend away from home in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, while parents and carers have a chance to step back from their caring responsibilities. For some families, this also means parents can spend dedicated time with their other children, something that can be difficult to prioritise alongside ongoing caring responsibilities.”
Local Impact
Toowoomba Grammar School Deputy Headmaster John Anderson said the anniversary reflected a shared commitment across the partner schools.
“Celebrating 20 years of Sony Camp is a source of great pride for our school community. The program reflects our commitment to service, compassion and leadership, and over two decades it has provided hundreds of students with an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Especially significant, is our partnership with the Glennie School and Fairholme College and the collective effort by students and staff to make the camp a success.”
Ryan-McPhee also acknowledged the students whose contributions have supported families across the region.
“This year is particularly significant for Toowoomba Grammar School, The Glennie School and Fairholme College, who are celebrating 20 years as part of the Sony Foundation Holiday Camp program. Across two decades, thousands of students from the three schools have volunteered their time to create memorable camp experiences for children with disability and their families across the Toowoomba region.”
Former students’ memories were gathered through the school’s anniversary project, including accounts of the camp influencing later careers. One former student described Sony Camp as “undoubtedly one of the more impactful initiatives in my time at TGS”.
He now leads a school for students with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. He linked experiences such as Sony Camp with the direction of his life and career.
Long-serving volunteer Jenny Bazley has been involved in almost every camp since it began. She recalled a guest with complex needs responding to music, surprising even those who knew him best.
She remembered it as a truly magical moment. For Bazley, watching students connect with guests and create lasting memories remains the highlight.
Staff volunteer Stacey Smith offered another perspective through her experience as both a volunteer and parent. She highlighted the reassurance families gain from knowing their child is safe, supported and enjoying camp. Smith also valued how the camp encourages others to see each child as a person beyond their disability.
Anderson also recognised the staff, partner schools, health professionals, former students and community members who have supported the camp. Campers and their families were thanked for the trust they place in the schools each year.
By The Numbers
- More than 200 Year 11 and 12 students from eight Queensland schools were expected to volunteer as full-time companions.
- More than 100 children with disability were expected to attend the Queensland camps, giving their families free respite.
- Sony Foundation’s 2026 programme includes 22 camps, involving over 1,000 student volunteers and more than 440 children with disability.
Zoom In
At Toowoomba Grammar School, Year 11 companions take responsibility for supporting a young guest throughout the weekend. According to the school’s anniversary reflections, many initially question whether they can manage the role.
By the end, that uncertainty is often replaced by greater confidence, gratitude and understanding. Anderson said the experience teaches lessons that remain relevant beyond school.
“The camp provides our students with a powerful opportunity to serve others. Through spending one-on-one time with their campers, they learn the value of inclusion, kindness and human connection. It is an experience that often stays with them long after the weekend has ended.”
The students’ own reflections show how quickly those connections can form. One companion described the lasting effect of small acts of kindness.
“The weekend gave me a completely different perspective. Spending time with my camper helped me appreciate the importance of small acts of kindness, and the connection we built over just a few days is something I’ll always remember.”
Anderson said those relationships often become a defining part of students’ school experience.
“For many of our student companions, Sony Foundation Camp becomes one of the most meaningful experiences of their school years. They develop confidence, compassion and a deeper appreciation for the challenges and strengths of others, while forming friendships that leave a lasting impression.”
Another companion reflected on the patience and understanding developed during camp.
“The experience challenged me in the best way possible. I learned a lot about patience, understanding and gratitude, and I formed a genuine bond with my camper that made the weekend unforgettable.”
The school’s newsletter also recalled last year’s companions finding meaning in conversations, shared activities and a camper’s excited smile. Games, costumes, discos and swimming provide opportunities for those connections.
The camp’s three goals remain fun for guests, respite for families and learning through service. Alongside these goals, students learn responsibility, patience and resilience through caring for someone else.
Zoom Out
Beyond Toowoomba, the programme supports families across Australia and New Zealand through partnerships with schools and universities. Ryan-McPhee described its growth from a single Sydney school.
“For 27 years, Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camp program has helped bridge a gap in disability respite care, partnering with schools and universities across Australia and New Zealand to deliver free, multi-day camps for children and young people with disability. What began with one school in Sydney in 1998 has grown to more than 20 camps across Australia and New Zealand each year. In 2026, more than 1,000 student volunteers will create memorable experiences for more than 440 children with disability and their families across 22 camps.”
For Townsville’s Sean, 11, camp offered his father and full-time carer, Steven, a rare break. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Asher, also 11, was preparing for his first night away from home. His parents hoped camp would build his independence while giving their family much-needed respite.
Ryan-McPhee said the camps complement the wider support families need.
“While Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camp program does not replace the broader supports families may need, it provides a meaningful weekend of respite while giving children the chance to build independence and form connections with student volunteers and other children with disability. At the same time, volunteers gain firsthand insight into the experiences of people with disability, helping to build greater understanding and empathy among the next generation.”
What To Look For Next?
The anniversary reflections suggest the lessons from camp can continue shaping students’ lives long after they leave school. Ryan-McPhee linked that lasting impact to the schools’ ongoing commitment.
“The longevity of this program is a testament to the commitment of the schools and their students. Year after year, students bring energy, empathy and a willingness to learn, building genuine connections with campers and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves.”