What do you do for Collaborate and why?

I am the videographer/vlogger for Collaborate and my aim is to grow our reach and impact through videos in order for us to connect with more people and get more people involved.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background

I am currently studying my Master of Software Development and will be finishing that up this year. I have had an interest in photography for a number of years and it has become a major hobby of mine (check me out on Instagram @tdj.photography) 

Videography is something I have always been keen to get more into, I have worked on a few short films with friends in the past and I am keen to get into some more video making with this new role.

What volunteer opportunities have you been involved in or are you currently involved in?

In the past I have helped friends, family and community organisations at working bees and events. Volunteering is something I have been trying to get more involved in the last couple of years which is why I was excited when I found out about Collaborate. I am not currently involved in volunteering anywhere else but that could change.

Why do you volunteer?

I am volunteering to give something back to the community and make a difference to other people as well as to learn new skills and build on my existing ones.

Who is your biggest hero or inspiration?

In terms of filmmaking one of my biggest inspirations has been Peter Jackson as he started out baking alien heads in his mother’s oven in Pukerua Bay and went on to make some of my all time favourite films. If I’m able to put a fictional character, I would say Walter Mitty from the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty as that film inspired a lot of ideas that now consume my day dreams. “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.”

What is your mantra or what is the most important value you live by?

When nothing is sure, everything is possible.

What do you love about Collaborate?

I love that Collaborate is about making volunteering easier and more fun. I think everybody has something to offer and it is really cool that Collaborate was built so that people could share their skills to make a difference in their community.