Darwin to Melbourne Thank You Camel Expedition 2008-2009
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Moira says Ït is a funny world we live in really that determines what passport you own determines whether you live or die, so someone really has to change that....we really are not born equal."
Moira Kelly AO started her selfless contributions to the less fortunate at the age of 13. Since then, she has dedicated her life to underprivileged children from all around the world.
Moira has an impressive and extraordinary record of helping others. Some highlights include working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, AIDS volunteer in Victoria, helping Kalahari Bushmen in Botswana, working in soup kitchens in Johannesburg and nursing AIDS babies and feeding the homeless in the Bronx.
When Moria was 32 she organised two Bosnian children for medical treatment in Australia, in which the beginnings of the Children First Foundation were laid. Since then through the Children First Foundation, many hundreds of children from some of the poorest regions of the globe have undertaken life changing and life saving operations in Australia, America, England, Ireland and Canada because of the work and efforts of the Children First Foundation, associated bodies, medical specialists and a huge team of selfless volunteers.
For more information please visit the childrens first foundation website.
The Darwin To Melbourne Thank You Camel Expedition Trek Route
23/3/08 Easter Sunday
Leave Parliament House in Darwin at 10.00am, along Mitchell Street, Stuart Highway, through Palmerston, Adelaide River, Pine Creek to Katherine.
Katherine to Halls Creek (W.A.) along the Victoria Highway via Kununurra
Halls Creek to Wiluna via the Canning Stock Route and through some of the harshest deserts in the world.
Wiluna to Alice Springs Via the Great Central Highway and Yulara.
Alice Springs to Marla and along the Oodnadatta track through William Creek, Maree, Lyndhurst, Leigh Creek, Parachilina, Hawker, Peterborough and onto Mildura in Victoria.
From Mildura in Victoria the trek goes through Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca, Shepparton, Benella to Mansfield.
From Mansfield to Woods Point, Moe, Leongatha, Yanakie, Korrumburra to Frankston.
The final leg of the expedition before reaching the capital of Victoria, Melbourne City, travels from Frankston, through Seaford, Carrum, Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale, Mordialloc, Parkdale, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, St Kilda and to Government House.
22/11/09
Government House at 10.00am along Swanston Street to the Royal Children's Hospital to say Thank You To Moira Kelly and the Children First Foundation staff and Volunteers, associated bodies and organisations.
The Camels and the Cameleers
The Camels:
The six camels have been hand selected over a period of five years and especially trained for the expedition at the Explore the Outback Camel Safaris, William Creek, South Australia under the instruction of Australia's foremost cameleer, Mr Phil Gee.
The Cameleers:
Russell Osborne has been involved with camels and the industry since 1999. Involvement came about specifically with the expedition in mind. The concept of the expedition was born over ten years ago and since then, Russell has been learning the ropes, so to speak, of wild camel capturing, handling, training and camel string operations in desert conditions.
Russell has no doubt in his mind of the potential such an expedition has for the Children First Foundation and the children they help and is looking forward to seeing who else in the wider community is also willing to say "Thank-You" to Moira Kelly, those with the Children First Foundation, associated bodies and volunteers through the Darwin to Melbourne Thank You Camel Expedition 2008-2009.
Ros Consoli became involved with camels in 2004 when she met Russell and his camels. She got her first camel in 2005 at the Wild Camel Handling Course, ran by Phil Gee from Explore the Outback Camel Safaris. She joined Russell to operate the camel safaris in the Outback of South Australia.
Ros is a firm believer of the aims and objectives of the expedition and has learnt all of the skills needed for such a trans-continential expedition. Her nature is loved by all who come in contact with her and her way with the camels is based upon sheer trust between her and the camels.
