Living out the Edmund Rice Vision...

The Adelaide Advertiser recently carried a story in its "local heroes special series" focusing on the volunteer and charity work work of Justin Chung, one of the teachers at Rostrevor. It is always difficult getting the balance right as to how much we need to "do our works of charity in secret" and how much we expose as genuine witness to the world that inspire others. This article seems to do it well...

T FIRST GLANCE Justin Chung looks like any other young professional. But behind his boyish looks, Mr Chung, 27, of Wynn Vale, has a passion for volunteering and charity work.

The popular Rostrevor College teacher - who attended the school in Adelaide's eastern suburbs - has been volunteering and helping disadvantaged people for more than 10 years.

As well as working full-time at the college, the science, maths and religion teacher says he spends, on average, about 10 hours a week working for the homeless and underprivileged.

Mr Chung has twice led a pilgrimage to India to work in charity homes such as Mother Theresa's Home for the Dying and Destitute, also known as Kalighat.

He also volunteers at a soup kitchen, Fred's Van, organised by St Vincent de Paul, on Tuesday nights and has been a board member for Edmund Rice camps for disadvantaged children as well as being a leader on the trips.

Mr Chung, who refuses to accept any accolades for his work, is the third person to be profiled in a special series in The Advertiser every day this week, saluting some of South Australia's local heroes.

Mr Chung said yesterday he managed to fit everything into his hectic lifestyle because he loved helping people out.

His inspiration came from his parents, who had taught him there were people less fortunate than him.

Mr Chung said he did not seek recognition - instead he was happy people less fortunate were being helped out.

"I don't do it for myself," he said.

"It is about getting people who are less fortunate to get out and see the world.

"I get pumped seeing other people get helped out."

Mr Chung said he took his students to volunteer at the soup kitchen so they could appreciate there were people in need. It helped the students learn about the real world.

"I always encourage them to get out of their comfort zones," he said.

The college's principal, Jeff Croser, said many students took inspiration from Mr Chung's charity work.

"He is just a great stalwart for giving and showing respect to everybody," he said.

"For someone to do what he does at such a young age is just extraordinary. He has got a lot more to give, it is just wonderful to see."