For more details please ring Rod on xxxx 61 03 9770 1822.

Last updated: Wednseday, May 5, 1999

or email on (aussie@labyrinth.net.au)

On this page you will find:

1. Copy of a letter from Nikolai Grigorovitch. President, Victims of Chernobyl Relief Fund, Phone 9328 2487, Fax 9326 8709}

To School Principals, Service Club Presidents, dated 25 January, 1999.

RE: FRENCH ISLAND - CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S CAMP, MAY 10-12, 1999

1999 FUND RAISING PROGRAM TO SPONSOR ONE CHILD

As you may be aware, each year, our organisation, (a Melbourne based, community group) bring approximately 60 to 70 Russian children (aged 9 to 13) to Melbourne for a seven week holiday and cultural education program, to gain much needed respite from the irradiated regions effected by the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear reactor disaster. These children, many of whom are quite ill and/or live in very harsh environments, greatly appreciate the Australian hospitality, the host family program, friendship and experiences

In May 1998, we were fortunate to be treated to a wonderful day on French Island, exploring the Island's National Park, seeing the abundant koalas and bird-life of the island, planting trees etc. (Please see attachments)

We were so impressed with the people, facilities, nature and the activities available, we have requested our French Island friends, to see what they could do to arrange a longer stay for our next group, scheduled to arrive in mid April, and departing towards the end of May, 1999.

I am happy to say, French Island Eco Tours and McLeod Eco Farm & Historical Prison have agreed to help us by organising a fund raising campaign and by offering us a 3 day camp at as cheap a rate as possible. Together with assistance from Bayside Trains (still to be finalised), we expect to be able to send one child for an all inclusive price of $70, including all meals, accommodation, activities, ferry and eco-tour of the Island.

Put simply, we are asking your school/club to consider sponsoring one child for the all inclusive price of $70. As a thankyou gesture in return, we offer:

i) the child (plus an accompanying adult) to be available to visit your school/club, to talk about the camp, their life, and perhaps other more general Chernobyl and Russian issues.

ii) your school/clubs name on the child's nametag, clearly indicating the sponsors name,

iii) a "free" French Island Eco Tour for 2 representatives of your school/club (excluding ferry fares of $16) to experience the specific school/club tour and accommodation products available.

French Island has been chosen as a camp destination for its clean, seaside and central location that can be reached by public transport. Ironically, French Island was once designated as the site for Australia's first Nuclear power station and probably along with all of us, has benefited indirectly, from Chernobyl's misfortune.

If you can sponsor a child, or need further information, please contact our office or Rod Johnston on 9770 1822.}}

Signed Nikolai Grigorovitch (President, Victims of Chernobyl, National Relief Fund), and Rod Johnston (French Island Eco Tours)

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2. CURRENT LIST OF CHERNOBYL '99 SPONSORS - THANKYOU ONE AND ALL. (TARGET 50)

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3. From Russian to French - by Phoenix Arrien, Peninsula Visitor Wine Country Annual, Spring 1998. Copyright Phoenix Arrien 1998. For copying of whole or partial text permission must be sought from the author, ph: +61 413 650027, or PArrien@hotmail.com

1. USUALLY not much happens on French Island, which is why it is coveted by visitors wanting the sort of peace and quiet that is rare for a place a little over an hour from Melbourne. But on Sunday, 3 May, Tankerton, the island's drop off point for the ferry rang with excited sounds. That day a group of international visitors stepped off onto the island who had come a very long way	1998 group arrive at Stony Pt Station	2. These were children from the Chernobyl disaster in Russia. Every year, over a hundred children are brought out to Australia by the Victims of Chenobyl National Relief Fund. Over six weeks they are hosted by Australian families whilst their depleted immune systems get a chance to recover in Australia's clean environment.
3. Most sported the fair skin and hair characteristic of the people of russia and were about 10-15 years old. Most of them had been through a great deal of pain and loss in their young lives.	4. But the fresh air of French island certainly had faces glowing and a skip in many a step. Here they had room to play and discover the wonders that this Island has to offer.	5. Added to this, French Island Eco Tours, Bay Connections Charter Service, Tortoise Head Guest House, Mcleod Eco farm and the French Island Rangers all worked hard to give these children a fun day of Aussie hospitality.
6. Any trip across water to an Island is exciting but for these children who rarely get a chance it was very unusual and a special opportunity. Bay Connections 1.	7. Once on the island, the day started with damper at the guest house, followed by an Australian bush dance. A true introduction to Aussie Culture.	8. French Island is famous for its koalas and Island Ranger, Mick Douglas and Allen Pullen, led a koala search among the Eucalyptus trees. These cute and furry bears brought gasps of delight from the children. Photographer, Tim Laird, hitherto unnoticed on the sidelines, was suddenly innumdated with people eager to view the animals through his zoom lens.
8. Finally coaxing the group away, Koala Dundee, alias Allan Chandler from French Island Eco Tours, packed everyone in the bus and drove to McLeod Eco farm. As soon as we alighted, the aroma of sausages sizzling on the barbeque, and spuds roasting in the camp fire drifted over us.. Mark and Melinda Cunningham and the crew that run this organic farm and hoiday centre, were soon flood with hungry bodies and the food dissappeared at a very fast rate.	9. French Island is a place of beauty and wildlife, especially birds. The groups went exploring for crabs on the mudflats and looked for eagle and ibis among the trees and skies.	10. Rod Johnston, one of the organisers of this day and partner in French Island Eco tours, was very happy with day. "It was a very worthwhile thing to do", he said, satisfied as the boat pulled away. For most of the children, tired but still buzzing from the trip, it was the highlight of their stay in Australia. . Koala Dundee (Allan Chandler) with Anna, the Chenobyl '98 interpreter. Anna knew six languages and could swap at will.
11. Left behind on the island, so different from the cities and towns of Russia, are a group of tiny young gum trees. Planted by the children, they will grow and eventually provide food for the cuddly koalas, which the group loved so much.	12. Like the trees, the Islanders hope that these children may have a better chance to grow up healthy after a trip to Australia. They certainly will take back some memories of a very special island on the Peninsula.	Chernobyl 98 Tree Planting Certificate, courtesy Aussie Collections, and Curry Printing Mornington. Trees/stakes courtesy Parks Victoria

4. Chenobyl 1999 - Press Report on 1999 Visit by Rod Johnston and Julie Van Lieshout (Parks Victoria)

SORRY THIS PRESS REPORT IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE (20/9/99) will post it to the web, soon.

The news is the 3 day camp, went extremely well, all kids had a great time, plenty of koalas, games including boomerang throwing, campfire activities, sand castling, tree planting, visit to Pereverance Primary (7 children), a huge night bon-fire on the beach. All together 25 Chenobyl people went to French Island, many didn't want to go home, and many said they wanted to come back. I have handwritten thankyou letters to all sponsers, many in Russian. THANKS AGAN TO ALL THE SPONSERS. Rod.