Upcoming Events

Darwin to Melbourne “Thank You” Camel Expedition 2008-2009

The Darwin to Melbourne "Thank You" Camel Expedition will leave Darwin on Easter Sunday 2008. It will make its way through the Western, Northern Territory and South Australian Deserts, Country Victoria to Government House in Melbourne. On 22nd of November 2009, the Expedition will leave Government House for the Royal Children's Hospital, as a show of thank you to Moira Kelly, Children First Foundation and its associated bodies and volunteers.  The Expedition will end at the Children First Foundation Rehabilitation Farm in Kilmore, Victoria for the children in residence to meet the camels. 

Aims:
• To create heightened awareness of the Children First Foundation
• To raise (target $100,000) funds along route for the Children First Foundation with the intention of assisting a child / children in need
• To gather as many people along the route to walk with the Camel Expedition through the towns and cities as a show of 'thank you' to Moira Kelly, the Children First Foundation, associated bodies and volunteers for their work and efforts.

Objectives:
• Complete a transcontinental expedition
• Create positive media attention to the Children First Foundation
• Complete the $100,000 fundraising target
• Recognise sponsors of the Expedition
• Involve residents of towns and cities in the Australian wide community based "Thank you" Expedition. 

The Camel Expedition will:
• Take approximately one and a half years to complete
• Cover approximately 6000 Kilometres
• Trek through some of Australia's remotest deserts
• Cross the continent from north to south
• Find those who can say "thank you" to Moira Kelly and her teams of volunteers
• Help some children with critical illnesses from countries where their future otherwise would be doubtful
• Involve corporations and individuals in a fund-raising expedition
• Celebrate people and organisations such as Children First Foundation for what they do from their hearts

For more information, updates or to contact the Camel Expediation, visit http://dundeecamels.spaces.live.com

Larrikins, Laughter and Lavish Fare
Our annual Gala Event was held on Friday 29th August at St Kilda Town Hall. Over 320 guests enjoyed a delicious meal and heard some of Melbourne’s best known comedians and sports people debate the topic, “Is Comedy Better Entertainment than Sport?”

On the night we had over three hundred and twenty guests and sixty main and silent auction items. Neill Mitchell AO was a wonderful MC and guests were entertained by our larrikin panel: Simon O’Donnell, Mark Bradtke, Leigh Colbert, Tony Wilson, Adam McKenzie and Monty Franklin, who entertainingly debated, “Is Comedy Better Entertainment than Sport?” It was the comedy team who were able to convince the crowd of the merits of their argument in the end!

The night raised over (net) $60,000 for the Foundation.

Farm Open Day
The annual Farm Open Day was held on Sunday 13th April.   The weather was lovely and a large number of people had an opportunity to meet the children, explore their surroundings, see the new recreation facility and enjoy a sausage sizzle. 

Fun, Food and Philanthropy at The Boathouse
On Friday 22nd of February, over 100 people attended a gourmet dinner at The Boathouse Restaurant on the Maribyrnong. The event was organised by the Moonee Valley City Council, in response to the public fund raising appeal for the conjoined twin girls from Bangladesh, Trishna and Krishna. The evening was an overwhelming success and raised over $18,000 for their care.

Chefs, Gary Mehigan from Fenix and The Boathouse, Adrian Richardson from La Luna in North Carlton and George Calombaris from The Press Club Restaurant and Bar, came together for a night of fine dining, cooking demonstrations and entertainment. Moira spoke of the girls and the Foundation’s work with other children.

Moira and the Board would like to thank Moonee Valley City Council, particularly Cr Paul Giuliano and Fiona Hando for their efforts in co-ordinating this outstanding dinner and The Boathouse Restaurant for the wonderful venue. To the chefs, Gary, Adrian and George, thank you for your cooking, good humour and time. A big thank you to Crittenden’s for donating the wine, and all the other supporters who contributed their time and goods to make the night a tremendous success.

Not only did guests have an entertaining and enjoyable evening, but two very special little girls lying in hospital also benefited!

Gala Dinner
The Children First Foundation Gala Dinner was held on Saturday 21st July at ZINC at Federation Square. On the night we had over two hundred and fifty guests and sixty main and silent auction items. Tom Gleisner was a wonderful MC and guests were entertained by renowned soprano Vanessa West and comedy auctioneer John Canavan. Moira talked about her vision for the future, Emmanuel Mustafa-Kelly sang a memorable duet with Vanessa and Ahmed Mustafa-Kelly moved guests with his inspirational story.

The night raised over (net) $50,000 for the Foundation. This money will be used to support six children in the Miracle sMiles Program with all the necessities (food, non-surgical medical treatment, medicine and travel) they require during their stay in Australia.

A BIG THANK YOU to the following people who made the night possible.

Our Special Guests:
Master of Ceremonies: Tom Gleisner
Guest Speaker: Christian Brizard
Auctioneer: John Canavan
Special Guest Artist: Vanessa West
Special Guest Accompanist: Angus Grant

Major Supporters:

And Other Supporters:

Aaron Baddley, Afghan Restaurant, AFL, Allinda Winery, Anne Esposito, Bridge Road Florist, Brown Brothers, Buckleys Beer, Catherine Grounds, Charles & Calypso, Collingwood Football Club, Complete Skin Care and Electrolysis Centre, DeBortoli, Domaine Chandon, Drew Gregory, Essendon Football Club, Fergusson Winery, Fran Bailey, Garry Holloway, Genesys Wealth, Global Ballooning, Graeme Miller Wines, Grounds Jewellery, Hail O Nails, Hirch Hill, Incarus Furniture, Jan Logan, Julianne, Kidzone, LaManna Nursery, Lawrencia Cycles, Loric Photography, LuLo Restaurant, Maria Urdampelli, Mary Hanly, McWilliams, Mitchelton, Moxie, Orlando Wines, Rathbone Wine Group, Rendezvous, Rochford Wines, Roxbury Hairdressing, Skin Alive, St Huberts, St Kilda Football Club, Sticks, The Green Book Company, Time Inc, TPG, Tremayne, TSL, Victorian Racing Club, Zinc Gifts and Lifestyle, ZINC at Federation Square.

Our Gala Dinner Committee Members:
Judy Balloch, Gracie Fonti, Deb Goldsmith, Fiona Langley, Angela LaManna, Kim McDonnell, Merryn Maher, Margaret Smith, Rhonda Ross, Emma Vibert, Deb Virgona, and John Ward.

and the Volunteers who helped everything run smoothly on the night: Jennifer Brook, Bianca Collier, Eliza McDonald, Armen & Ervis Prendi, Melinda Oliver, Natalie Langlands, Sally Nodj, Katia Sanderson, Daniel Sharpe & Belinda Smith.

Open Day 2007
On Sunday April 29th this year, the annual Farm Open Day was held. Although it was cold and wet, volunteers, donors and friends from far and wide attended. Visitors enjoyed a sausage sizzle, were able to see the house first hand, talk to the children and Moira.

Garden Party raises money and awareness for the Foundation
Children First Foundation, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Kew's Garden DesignFest, held a glorious Garden Party in the grounds of 'Friesia', the former German Consuls' residence in Hawthorn on the weekend of the 18th and 19th of November, 2006.

Visitors were able to enjoy a Devonshire Tea on the lawn with music from string quartets from Ruyton and Fintona Girls' Schools and Trinity Grammar. The formal rooms of the house were also open for those who were interested in taking a step back in time.

We would like to specially thank the sponsors – Jellis Craig, Kids on Collins, Leo's Fine Foods, Baker's Delight, and Mt Franklin; our army of dedicated volunteers and Warwick Forge and Sue Roberts-Forge for opening their beautiful home and making the weekend such an outstanding success.