Kids Under Cover Founding Patron Ken Morgan receives Medal of the Order of Australia

We are delighted to announce that Ken recently joined a pre-eminent community of Australians recognised for their exemplary service to the community, having been announced as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day.

Ken received this award in recognition of his philanthropic work with sick children through the Royal Children’s Hospital and Variety Club Australia; and of course his work over the years in the fight against youth homelessness.

Ken is former recipient of a Humanitarian Award from the Australian Humanitarian Foundation (2000), and the Centenary Medal (2003) for his services to the community - in particular youth homelessness.

Perhaps best known for his place as one of Australia’s most recognisable motor industry personalities, this public persona masked a very different reality that rendered Ken a homeless teenager in the mid 1950s, after his mother’s unexpected passing.

In turning his life around, Ken made a commitment to pursue philanthropic interests. Ken was made a Life Governor of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Chair of the Variety Club (Vic) for a record four years and a Variety Club National Board Member.

It was during his time at Variety Club that the Federal Government released “Our Homeless Children - Report of the National Inquiry into Homeless Children” by Brian Burdekin. The disturbing findings moved Ken to build a house for homeless young people. This was the birth of Kids Under Cover.

Over the past 20 years Kids Under Cover has grown to operate in three states largely due to Ken’s hands-on involvement and passion to change young lives. To date, Kids Under Cover has provided homes for more than 2,500 young people and issued 82 life changing education scholarships to disengaged young people. Kids Under Cover has constructed more than 350 demountable studios and 14 houses, all with the purpose of housing homeless or at risk young people.

Ken is devoted to ensuring Kids Under Cover’s continued success and growth.