From backyard chook to golden egg

Alex de Vos
Three ambitious Geelong students are trying to turn an egg into $1 million in the name of charity.
They’re not magicians, so they’re relying on a simple trade system to make their dream come true.
Deakin University’s Josh O’Meara said the aim of the project, 1egg1world, was to raise $1 million to support over-looked charities.
“We’re really passionate about charities and we thought this was something we could do while we were still studying,” the 22-year-old said.
“We know it’s a pretty crazy achievement but we’re hoping we can get a few companies on board.”
He said the fundraising initiative was inspired by Canadian Kyle McDonald, who traded one red paperclip for a house via 14 trades in one year.
The architecture students, who refer to themselves as chickens, kick-started the appeal in November 2008 by trading an egg, laid by one of Mr O’Meara’s Geelong West chooks, for a Coneheads CD.
The album was traded for a board game Boggle, the game for a travel guide, and the guide for a digital camera and alarm clock.
The camera and clock were traded for a Toyota Camry that was sold at the wreckers for $100.
A charity barbecue raised a further $400 that was then traded for a signed Sir Donald Bradman cricket bat (valued at $2000).
“It’s a pretty interesting and unusual charity and we really hope we can reach our goal,” Mr O’Meara said.
He said the money would be donated to three charities – Cool Australia, EarInfoNet and OrphFund.
“They are a bit over-looked and are really doing some great work.”