Charmaine’s next chapter

MELISSA MICHIE

mmichie@kiamaindependent.com.au

A BIT of sparkle will go out of Kiama on Sunday when prolific fundraiser Charmaine Wheatley leaves to take up a two-year posting in Durban, South Africa.

“It’s the first time I can vote and I won’t be here,” Mrs Wheatley said.

After five years in Australia, the South African born Mrs Wheatley is leaving to take a position with WhizzKids United – a program which uses football (soccer) to teach lifeskills to children.

Mrs Wheatley followed her heart to Kiama – after she met her future husband who was working in South Africa.

When she arrived in Kiama, Mrs Wheatley became involved with volunteering. “In South Africa I worked with AIDS orphans and with Lifeline and we were supported by Rotary clubs in Australia,” she said.

“When I arrived here I thought it was time to give back. It’s a great way to meet people, get involved with the community, and it’s a wonderful way for paying back to the community and for living here in this great country.”

Mrs Wheatley has been involved with organisations such as Rotary, Fred Hollows Foundation, Riding for the Disabled and Warilla Women’s Refuge.

She was instrumental in the organisation of the Kiama Sunset Film Festival – three outdoor movies raising money for different charities – and Dancing with the Kiama Stars event, which raised money for AIDS orphans in South Africa.

Mrs Wheatley said she had always loved children and remembered as an eight-year-old saying: “When I’m big I’m going to work with orphans in Africa” not realising that she was in Africa. “It’s amazing it’s taken 50 years for that dream to come true,” she said.

Mrs Wheatley has worked tirelessly to raise money for the Spirit of uBuntu Project at Welkom, South Africa – helping AIDS orphans.

Of her depature, Mrs Wheatley said she was feeling sad, “but the time will go quickly.”

“I will miss the freedom, the safety and my friends,” she said.

Her husband will follow in January – when he takes up the job as her assistant.

“He always helps me with fundraising and he says they (organisations) get a good deal because they get two for the price of one,” she laughed.

Mrs Wheatley is also excited about the move because where she is based in Durban is only one street away from her daughter and new grand-daughter.

However, she is also wanting to return to Australia after the two years and continue the work with Aboriginal children.

Mrs Wheatley isn’t travelling lightly, some 300kg of toys, clothes and boxes will accompany her.