Charity Sells Retreat, Farmer Fights Back

0:00Sydney's story's making news on March 20th, a charity called Children First Foundation is putting its retreat and kill more east of for sale. The property was donated 25 years ago by local farmer Noel Baker to help kids recover after life-saving surgeries in Australia. Hundreds of children from developing countries stayed there over the years. The retreat was key for post-surgery rehab, including famous cases like Injoin Twins from Bangladesh separated in 2009. But since the coronavirus pandemic, the foundation has not used it for nearly two years. They have shifted to partnerships like Ronald McDonald House for spots closer to hospitals. Noel Baker feels heartbroken over the decision. He says there was a verbal promise from the charity's founder that the land would never be sold. Now he is trying to buy a back because it sits in the middle of his working farm and could disrupt his operations. More leaders and the founder, Moira Kelly, Backbaker's View. They understood the property should go to another charity if no longer needed.

1:02The foundation ran a process for non-profit buyers, but found none could commit financially. The charity insists nothing legally blocks the sale and plans to invest all proceeds directly in the surgical care for sick kids worldwide. With better treatments abroad, they say rural isolation no longer fits their complex cases. Baker remains a patron, but hopes for a resolution that honors the original spirit.