Tim says thanks through tricks

Tim Webster from Narre Warren has used his magic tricks to “break the ice” with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory

By Kelly Yates
A NARRE Warren man is taking magic all the way to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
Tim Webster is known as “the magic man,” Tim Webster has spent the past 14 months in Darwin and Alice Springs with the Centrelink Indigenous Response Team.
Using magic to “break the ice” with the communities, the 27-year-old says his tricks have helped him break down communication barriers and build trusting relationships during visits to locals.
Mr Webster, who has been living in the City of Casey for more than five years, said his passion for magic came after he was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two.
Mr Webster said he knew first hand how the support and generosity of others could help people deal with difficult situations.
“I made a decision when I was sick that when I was old enough I would find a way to give back to the community,” he said.
“This is my way of saying thank you to all the people who helped me.”
Mr Webster’s innovative approach to building relationships and his commitment to customer service led him to winning Centrelink’s prestigious National Ross Divett Memorial Award.
He has also been a volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation, Challenge Cancer Support Network and the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital.
Mr Webster said the reaction to his magic tricks had been overwhelming.
The budding magician, who has been perfecting his craft for more than five years, says he doesn’t like to receive money from his magic shows.
Mr Webster forked out more than $12,000 to travel to Africa and Bali to perform in orphanages.
“The smiles on the children’s faces were a spectacular sight. Some of them have never seen a magic trick before,” he said.
Mr Webster is preparing to jet set to India in December with the Australian Volunteers International organisation, where 14 Australians aged between 21 and 28 have been selected to work on a 10-week community development project.
He said the project would focus on social issues, career development and education.