Moira Kelly AO
Humanitarian and Founder of the Children First Foundation
With decades of experience delivering life-changing care and programs, Moira inspires audiences with her courage, compassion, and relentless commitment to creating hope for the most vulnerable.
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Moira Kelly is a globally recognised humanitarian whose lifetime of service has transformed the lives of countless children and disadvantaged communities worldwide. Her commitment to helping the less fortunate began at the age of 13 and has spanned decades, continents, and countless initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those in need.
At 20, Moira began working with Aboriginal children in Western Australia. She subsequently collaborated with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, established a special unit for boys with behavioural challenges at Sutherland Homes, and carried out humanitarian projects in Botswana, Johannesburg, New York, Romania, Bosnia, and Albania. Her work has included managing AIDS hospitals, setting up refugee camps and soup kitchens, and organising schools, adult education programs, and medical services for war-affected communities.
Moira has received numerous national and international accolades for her extraordinary contributions, including the Queen’s Trust Achiever Award, Victoria Young Achiever Award for Community Service, Sir Edward Dunlop Award, the White Flame Award from Save the Children, the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Community Service, and appointment as an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. She was also named Victorian of the Year in 2013. Her humanitarian work has been profiled in documentaries such as A Compassionate Rage, Brothers in Arms, and Foreign Correspondent.
Through the Moira Kelly Creating Hope Foundation and the Children First Foundation, Moira continues her mission to provide comfort, medical care, and hope to children and displaced women both in Australia and internationally. Her foundation brings children to Australia for critical medical treatment, supports local families in need, and operates entirely on charitable donations and volunteer support.
Moira’s unwavering dedication and profound compassion have made her a global advocate for vulnerable children and families, leaving a lasting legacy of hope, safety, and empowerment.
