Aussie Moira’s a star

Australian humanitarian worker Moira Kelly (48)

THERE was no doubting the arrival of the Antipodean torchbearer Moira Kelly who jumped from the relay bus shouting “Aussie, Aussie Aussie” to which the crowd replied “Oi, Oi, Oi”!

Humanitarian worker Moira —who has worked alongside Mother Theresa in Calcutta and received many Australian and international awards — was voted by viewers of Australian TV breakfast show “Sunrise” to be a worthy torchbearer.

And she certainly made an impression when she arrived in High Street to take over the flame from 94-year-old Thora Beddard.

Psyched up for the honour she said: “Oldham has provided the most wonderful atmosphere, I don’t need any Aussies here, the Brits have done me proud! I’ve felt truly welcomed here, it’s been brilliant, it’s a fantastic honour and I’m amazed to be part of it. Thank you Oldham!”

But not only did she whip up the already excitable crowd into a frenzy and allow onlookers to hold her as-yet unlit Olympic torch, she also had an Australian film crew on her tail.

Following the hero mum’s viewers’ vote on “Sunrise”, a reporter and two cameramen flew halfway round the world to chart her golden opportunity and beam it back for tomorrow’s show.

Sunrise reporter Nick Etchells told us: “Moira is extremely well-known in Australia for her amazing humanitarian work.”


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