Finally we have made it to Katherine, not quite Darwin but close enough. The camels were quite a challenge to get into the truck but half a day later they were all snug in the back of the truck. The journey from Alice to Katherine was a long one and overall the camels travelled well with only a couple of cuts and bruises on their legs. The Katherine Showgrounds Committee have been wonderful to let us have the camels there and to camp next to the camels. With all of our gear layed out we realized what a huge operation this has been for the both of us to organise.
The Katherine Council are putting on a function for the expedition and the Children First Foundation on the 1st of April at 11.00am where we will dress the camels up in their parade outfits and the public can come along, take photos and hopefully make a lot of donations for the Children First Foundation.
By the way, if you want to make a donation to the Children First Foundation but are not anywhere near the camel trek route, you can do so at any branch of the Bendigo Bank under the account name:
Darwin to Melbourne Thank You Camel Expedition 2008-2009
All of the Branches of the Bendigo Bank has the details of the account and the donations made into this account will be presented to the Children First Foundation in cheque form by the Bendigo Bank on the 22/11/09 when we walk down Swanston street in Melbourne to the Royal Children’s Hospital to say thank you to Moira Kelly and her crews attached to the Children First Foundation.
You can also make a donation on-line direct to the Children First Foundation at:
http://www.childrenfirstfoundation.com/donatenowCMS.aspx
Your donation direct on line will not register as a part of the camel expedition but all donations to the foundation will help the children most in need in our global community.
We hope to be travelling from Katherine soon after the 1st of April. Exactly when depends of the camels and the rain situation. It has rained today. Bugger.
Anyway, take care and please let everyone you know about the website and the expedition and its aims and objectives which I have copied below for your information.
Lots of Love
Russ and Ros
The camel trek 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
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.
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
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.
“That is what this camel expedition is about…………”
Aims:
The aims of the Expedition are as follows:
To create heightened awareness of the Children First Foundation, its members and the work of the organisation, associated bodies and volunteers.
To raise funds along route for the Children First Foundation with the intention of assisting a child / children in need. (Target: $100,000)
To gather as many people along 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.
To create heightened awareness of the Children First Foundation, its members and the work of the organisation, associated bodies and volunteers.
To raise funds along route for the Children First Foundation with the intention of assisting a child / children in need. (Target: $100,000)
To gather as many people along 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:
The objectives of the expedition are:
Complete a trans-continental crossing using six camels and equipment over a two year period.
Create as much media attention for the expedition to raise awareness of the work and efforts of Moira Kelly and the Children First Foundation’s work with children in need.
Complete the ($100,000) fundraising target to assist the Children First Foundation and its work.
Recognise, through all media, the sponsors of the expedition before, during and after the trek.
Involve residents of towns and cities in the “Thank-you” expedition.
Complete a trans-continental crossing using six camels and equipment over a two year period.
Create as much media attention for the expedition to raise awareness of the work and efforts of Moira Kelly and the Children First Foundation’s work with children in need.
Complete the ($100,000) fundraising target to assist the Children First Foundation and its work.
Recognise, through all media, the sponsors of the expedition before, during and after the trek.
Involve residents of towns and cities in the “Thank-you” expedition.
Who is Moira Kelly
and the
Children First Foundation?
Moira Kelly AO – Moira Kelly is the Executive Director of the Children First Foundation.
Moira says "It 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 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 Theresa 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 Moira 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, you can click on the link to the Children First Foundation above or go to
The Route:
(According to Trek Progress)
Northern Territory:
Darwin Parliament House Darwin to Katherine along the Stuart Highway.
Katherine to Halls Creek(W.A.) along the Victoria Highway.
Western Australia:
Kununurra to Halls Creekto Wiluna via the Canning Stock Route and through some of the harshest deserts in the world.
Wiluna to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Great Central Highway.
Northern Territory:
Uluru to Alice Springs via Watarka (Kings Canyon)along the Mereenie Loop.
Alice Springsto Marla via the Stuart Highway.
Wiluna to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Great Central Highway.
Northern Territory:
Uluru to Alice Springs via Watarka (Kings Canyon)along the Mereenie Loop.
Alice Springsto Marla via the Stuart Highway.
South Australia:
The expedition travels through some of the harshest desert country in South Australia from the township of Marla to William Creek, the last stop before the tourist road to Lake Eyre, (the worlds largest salt lake), to Maree via the historic Oodnadatta Track. The expedition then takes route through the south east corner of South Australia through Lyndhurst, Leigh Creek, Parachilna, Hawker, Peterborough, Burra, Morgan and finally through Renmark.
Victoria:
Mildura To Echuca via Robinvale to Swan Hill to Kerang to Echuca
Along the Murray Valley Highway. From Echuca to Shepparton Via: Barep, Pederick, Wyuna, Kotupna, Kaarimba, Mundoona and Bunbartha to Shepparton
From Shepparton to Benalla to Mansfield along the Midland Highway.
From Mansfield to Woods Point along the Mansfield to Woods Point Road via Piries, Howqua, Jamison, Kevington, Knockwood, Gaffneys Creek, and the A1 Mine Settlement. From Woods Point to Moe via Matlock, Aberfeldy, Beardmore, Parkers Corner, Erica, Moondarra to Leongatha along the Strzelecki Highway via Trafalgar, Thorpdale, Mirboo Nth and Berrys Creek. From Moe to Leongatha. From Leongatha to Yanakie via Dumbalk, Meeniyan, Foster Nth and Foster. Yanakie to Wilsons Promontory and walking to Korrumburra. Kurrumburra to Frankston via Bena, Loch, Tooradin, Pearcedale, and Baxter.
Melbourne:
Along the Murray Valley Highway. From Echuca to Shepparton Via: Barep, Pederick, Wyuna, Kotupna, Kaarimba, Mundoona and Bunbartha to Shepparton
From Shepparton to Benalla to Mansfield along the Midland Highway.
From Mansfield to Woods Point along the Mansfield to Woods Point Road via Piries, Howqua, Jamison, Kevington, Knockwood, Gaffneys Creek, and the A1 Mine Settlement. From Woods Point to Moe via Matlock, Aberfeldy, Beardmore, Parkers Corner, Erica, Moondarra to Leongatha along the Strzelecki Highway via Trafalgar, Thorpdale, Mirboo Nth and Berrys Creek. From Moe to Leongatha. From Leongatha to Yanakie via Dumbalk, Meeniyan, Foster Nth and Foster. Yanakie to Wilsons Promontory and walking to Korrumburra. Kurrumburra to Frankston via Bena, Loch, Tooradin, Pearcedale, and Baxter.
Melbourne:
The final leg of the expedition before reaching the capital of Victoria, Melbourne city, travels along the Nepean Highway via the suburbs of Seaford, Carrum, Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale to Mordialloc. Continuing to St Kilda along Beach Road via Parkdale, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Sandringham, Hampton, and Brighton. Then along the Esplanade, the beach track, Head Street, New Street, Hotham Street and Glen Eira Road to Caulfield Grammar Schoolin preparation for the journey to Government House. Back along Glen Eira Road, to Brighton Road, St Kilda Road, Anzac Avenue and arriving at Victorias’ Government House.
The major leg of the expedition where our main aim for the journey to gather as many people willing to say thank-you to Moira Kelly and the Children First Foundation, associated bodies, volunteers and supporters of the Foundation by walking with the expedition members and the camels from Government House along Government House Road, Anzac Avenue, St Kilda Road, Swanston Street ( Melbourne CBD), Victoria Street, Elizabeth Street, Flemington Road to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Leaving Melbourne for Kilmore:
Sydney Road, Bell Street, Spring Street, High Street, Epping Rd, Woodstock along Merriang Road, Epping / Kilmore Road, through Wallan East and finally to Kilmore (CFF Residence).
Sydney Road, Bell Street, Spring Street, High Street, Epping Rd, Woodstock along Merriang Road, Epping / Kilmore Road, through Wallan East and finally to Kilmore (CFF Residence).
The Darwin To Melbourne Thank You Camel Expedition 2008-2009
is acting on behalf of the Children First Foundation
and is
Proudly Supported / Sponsored By:
Special Thanks:
Russell's space 
March 30, 2008 at 8:42 am
Best of luck Rus and Ros!
Well done to the Katherine showgrounds committee – glad to see they have made you welcome. I will be making a donation online, as I cant be there (and unfortunately the Bendigo Bank is hard to find in Frenchie land!) – but am with you both in spirit, and hope that it stops raining for you soon!
Stay safe,
Love to the camels for me xx
Sam