Down Memory Lane …To our New Members a bit of Club History: Much has been written about the wonderful miracle performed on the two brave girls rescued from certain death and brought to our shores by Australia’s Mother Theresa – Moira Kelly – and after that the separation of the Twins. These two events just a few of the wonderful acts of selfishness and dedication by Moira Kelly to give joy and healing to 3rd world country needy children. Rotary 9790 took on as a project to make a place of home for the young children from poor countries to live, receive love from Moira and surgery from leading surgeons to restore their disfigured bodies. Many a week end was spent by our Albury Wodonga Clubs in that project to make it liveable. Mike Egan from the Albury Club a fabulous Rotarian used to hire a bus at his cost and take us down to the farm to put in hard work. On the way back he always seemed to produce an esky with ‘soft’ drink? Rob Mears a dedicated member of the Albury West Club had an idea that perhaps a popular TV show “Backyard Blitz” hosted by Jamie Drury would do a “make over” garden at The Moira Kelly Farm at Kilmore East like they did for domestic properties. Rob picked on me to prepare a submission thinking I was a better writer than I was a cricketer (he being a star with bat and wicket keeping) – ( we both played for Rotary–Albury). I did so. However months and years went by until such a vision was accomplished. This was the letter I sent accompanied by a 6 page submission including photos of a barren wilderness.
Station Manager. Channel 9 – Backyard Blitz Dear Sir.
I write to request your consideration of .a make-up at the Moira Kelly Open Door Farm. The farm is the brainchild of Moira Kelly and the project has the support of Rotary District 9790 which embraces 65 Clubs in metropolitan and country Victoria. The land donated by a Rotarian is situated at 170 Saunders Rd, Kilmore East. The first buildings are nearing completion (voluntary labour) and will be home to Australian foster children, abused mothers and children, young teenage girls as well as recuperation of children visiting from overseas for operations. Recently Moira was awarded an “O A M” for her service to the community.There are a number of areas that would be suitable for a makeover – swimming pool, play-ground area, entrance, special activity area etc. Rotary volunteers are on sight every Tuesday and week-ends and would give their support under your team’s instructions. I realise that the queue must be ever so long for a make-over and humbly put forward this submission as a very worthwhile project……………………………………………Thanking you in anticipation … yours sincerely …Barry H Young … Hon Sec.
The above request was not adhered to until 2004 after frequent calls from the writer. Finally Channel 9 gave in and a miracle happened. It was the first Commercial undertaking by the Backyard Blitz team and the show was increased from a half hour to an hour. They performed wonders – playgrounds, landscaped gardens, play centers and a swimming pool. The station manager I think his name was a Mr Leckie after some volatile words agreed to ask on the show for donations. A grand total of $150,000 was raised that night. I write this as another wonderful project that Rotary undertakes and is then forgotten, which it should be as we move on always to the next challenge and accomplishment, but at this time ignite it with such publicity and National and International Awards for Moira Kelly(in which we the Rotary Club of Albury Hume played a part) I believe our many new members should know some of the caring and devotion to the disadvantaged and underprivileged of our past endeavours.