Tim Bavinton

Tim Bavinton is a proud Canberra local and has lived in the nation’s capital for his whole life. After a K-12 public education, he studied languages and history at the Australian National University before earning a teaching degree at the University of Canberra. He is a strong advocate for accessible education and lifelong learning for everyone.

Tim has devoted his career to community work. He was involved in setting up youth health education programs and services in Canberra, including the Junction Youth Health Service. He later established the Sexual Assault Men’s Support Service Australia (SAMSSA) at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. For almost two decades, he worked as an educator, trainer, and advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT.

Tim is now bringing his community experience and a strong vision for an inclusive Canberra into local government.

Tim and his family, including two teenagers, live in Canberra’s north.

Helping relationships flourish

Most people find it easy to form friendships. We rarely stop to think about the complexity of the process, the skills required, and when and how long it took us to learn these skills.

For many reasons, people with disability may not have had the same opportunities to learn and practise the skills necessary to find and keep close friends. As a result, many people with disability don’t have a rich social life and close connections typical of other people their age.

Tim Bavinton’s session explored what can be done to help people with disability develop and maintain friendships. He discussed ways to provide the social support that might be needed at each phase of relationship-building and what families can do to help relationships flourish.

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

• Webinar 1 – Decision-making in everyday life – Janet Klees
• Webinar 2 – Medical safeguarding – Jo Massarelli and Cathy Ludlum
• Webinar 3 – Now is the time for vision – Darcy Elks

Main conference

• Never too late to get a life – Cathy McMahon and Josey McMahon
• The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction – Margaret Ward
• What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
• Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making – Helen Connolly
• The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-making – Kim Roots
• Dream big! – Laura Esplin and Bernadette Esplin
• Building bridges to neighbourhood – Sarah Faulkner
• Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the future – Helen Neale
• Finding and safeguarding a job – Jan Kruger
• What’s the plan? Estate planning consideration for parents and carers – Stacey Bell
• Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey – Rebecca Altaffer
• It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world – Ann Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
• How to set your Executor up for success – Stacey Bell
• Safeguarding the future: A sibling’s perspective – Libby Ellis
• Dispelling myths about the Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance, and employment income – Paul Kruger
• Your money, your future – Carolina Albornoz
• Helping relationships flourish – Tim Bavinton
• Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need? – Kane Morgan
• Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for One – Sheree Henley
• Emma Davidson MLA
• Planning future finances – Chris Oates
• Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – Karen Caldwell, Cameron Zellner, and Markus Zellner