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Children First Foundation

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Australia
Melbourne, VIC
Children First Foundation

� life-changing and life-saving surgery

�recovery and rehabilitation

� in Australia

� for child

Children First Foundation facilitates life-changing and life-saving surgery for disadvantaged children from developing countries. We picture a world where every child can access excellent medical care wherever they live. The children who come to Australia for their surgery live at our Retreat in rural Victoria, where they are cared for by our amazing team of staff and volunteers. Over the past 22

years, the Foundation has enabled over 400 disadvantaged children from 32 developing countries to receive the surgery and care they need to change their lives. Now back home, they are healthy and happy, with all their hopes and dreams before them. We receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of donors.

30/08/2026

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Yannick and his mum, Davina, from Vanuatu 💙

Yannick has arrived in Australia for specialist assessment to map out his care journey. Following a serious burn injury when he was younger, he has experienced ongoing challenges with mobility despite receiving treatment in the past.

Cases like Yannick's can be complex and require careful planning. During his visit, he will be assessed by A/Prof Leo Donnan to help determine the best pathway forward for his future surgical care.

While Yannick won't be in Australia for long, the goal is for this visit to provide greater clarity about the treatment options available to him and the opportunities that may lie ahead.

We look forward to getting to know Yannick and Davina over the coming weeks and sharing more of his journey with you ✨💙

27/08/2026

Lily recently visited the wonderful team at .australia for her casting appointment 💙

As Lily has never had the opportunity to comfortably bear weight through her leg before, the focus right now is on helping her build confidence standing and taking her very first steps.

To support this stage of her journey, her initial prosthetic will be designed to help her get used to standing and moving safely, one step at a time.

A big thank you to prosthetist Richard Fay, who carried out Lily's measurements and casting while keeping her smiling and engaged throughout the appointment ✨

While her custom socket and prosthetic are being prepared, Lily has been practising standing and bearing her weight through play. From giant Connect 4 to toy cars and bikes, she's having plenty of fun while building the strength and confidence that will support her future mobility.

We can't wait to see what Lily achieves next 🌟💙

26/08/2026

Remember Alberto we met in Timor a couple of weeks ago?

He has made it to India for treatment where the goal will be to safely remove the large mass growing from his body.

Some children require urgent treatment, where timely access to specialist care can make all the difference. To help meet these needs, we have expanded our network of trusted surgical and healthcare partners to include hospitals in India, providing another pathway for children to receive care when it is not available in their home country.

When exploring treatment options, our focus is always on what is best for each child. We carefully consider what the best outcome looks like for each child, how quickly treatment can be accessed, and ways to minimise disruption for children and their families while ensuring they receive the specialist support they need.

Alberto is one of those children, and we can’t wait to provide updates on how his care comes along, and see him home as soon as safely possible 💙

25/08/2026

We love receiving updates from Jelome, looking happy and healthy back at home 💙

It's a pose that's very familiar to all of us, but this time it's Jelome's smile that steals the show.

Swipe to see how far he's come and the brighter future that now lies ahead, all thanks to your support ✨

23/08/2026

Lily enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach with her mum Julie, complete with a lovely walk and an ice cream 🍦💙

Moments like these are a wonderful glimpse of the opportunities that greater mobility will bring Lily, and the childhood adventures that lie ahead for her ✨

21/08/2026

Recently, Children First Foundation joined Interplast Australia & New Zealand on a prosthetics care mission to Vanuatu, where children were assessed by our team alongside Interplast volunteer prosthetist, Sam Nichols 💙

Children living with limb differences in Vanuatu currently have no access to prosthetic and orthotic services at home. Initiatives like this help ensure children can access the care they need while also strengthening local knowledge and support for the future.

The trip provided an opportunity to assess children, support ongoing care, and share skills with local physiotherapists to help build sustainable pathways for long‑term rehabilitation.

You may recognise Lengkon, Masel and Garisha, who previously travelled to Australia for treatment, as well as Lily, who was first assessed during this visit and is now in Australia receiving care.

We've shared more about the trip on our website. Visit childrenfirstfoundation.org.au to read the full update ✨

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18/08/2026

Dressing changes are an important part of Lily’s post-surgical care and recovery, and she’s been taking a very close interest in the process 💙

We love seeing her curiosity shine through. Judging by the look on her face and focus, we might just have a future doctor in the making ✨

16/08/2026

Time to wave goodbye to Dung and Lan 👋

As they had back home to Vietnam, with one more stuffed toy than on arrival, Dung has healed incredibly well and joyful at going home ✨

Our Miracle sMiles Assistant Manager Natalie was able to join them on their connecting flight from Adelaide to Melbourne, as he did on their arrival, which was a lovely way to close this chapter of Dung's care 💙

Thank you for following Dung’s journey over the past few weeks. We hope you’ll join us in wishing her and Lan all the very best as they settle back in at home 💙✨

14/08/2026

Child safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Children First Foundation 💙

Last week, our staff and Board members came together for our annual child safeguarding training, taking part in important learning and discussions about our shared responsibility to keep children safe.

Regular training like this reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment for every child and family in our care.

If you'd like to learn more about our approach to child safeguarding, visit our website childrenfirstfoundation.org.au ✨

12/08/2026

Lily from Vanuatu was so brave heading into surgery shortly after arriving in Australia 💙

She's now recovering well and, together with her mum Julie, settling into their home away from home at

At just three years old, opportunities to play, explore and feel safe are important parts of both Lily's wellbeing and her recovery ✨

We can't wait to share more of Lily's journey with you and see what the coming weeks have in store for her care 💙

Address

Level 24, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61393294822

Website

http://childrenfirstfoundation.org.au/

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