FAIRBRIDGE PROJECT: 19 DECEMBER 2017

Fairbridge children’s project for former Fairbridge child migrants

The Old Fairbridgian Association is planning to erect a permanent monument to commemorate all the child migrants who went to Fairbridge Farm and to celebrate the contribution they have made to Australia.

The proposal is to have a life-size statue of some Fairbridge children, along with a plaque listing the names of all one thousand child migrants who were at Molong.

At the moment the most popular suggestion is a life-size statue of the four children — photographed carrying their big Fairbridge cardboard suitcases — who came out in the second party to Molong in 1938 (see photo attached).

The monument will most likely be erected along the Mitchell Highway near Fairbridge Farm, although some other local sites may also warrant consideration.

“We would welcome your thoughts about the project and your ideas about what form it should take,” said a statement from the Old Fairbridgian Association.

“We want the project to be supported and embraced by the local community as well as by former Fairbridge children.

“We want it to be something that all passers-by find interesting enough to stop and hop out of their cars to view and admire.

“The monument will complement the trees that form the Fairbridge Remembrance Drive and act as a beautiful entry to Molong.”

Recently, Old Fairbridgians President Derek Moriarty, along with Jan Barby and David Hill, met with the Mayor of Orange, Reg Kidd, who expressed enthusiastic support for the project.

Mayor Reg Kidd and local Federal Member of Parliament for Calare Andrew Gee have already agreed to start the list of Patrons as supporters of the project.

“The project will cost tens of thousands of dollars,” the statement continued.

“Some of our friends in Orange, including Wade Mahlo, have agreed to help raise funds from the local community and will help our application for Federal and State regional grants.

“To attract funding from the local community and from governments we have to demonstrate that we have already made a contribution ourselves, so we are setting a target for the Old Fairbridgians of at least $10,000.

If you want to pledge a donation of $100 or more, please let Derek Moriarty derekmoriarty@optusnet.com.au, Jan Barby jan.barby@bigpond.com or David Hill davidhill04@optusnet.com.au know, though any donations, large or small, will be gratefully accepted.”