Orphans can fly to see uncle

ORPHANED boys Astro and Iggy Joe Steward can now fly to New Zealand to visit their uncle after an outpouring of public support.
Enough money to fly the Smeaton brothers across the Tasman was raised during a community fundraising event held at The Palais in Hepburn Springs yesterday.
Several hundred people, including dozens of children, attended the event organised by the Spiller family, which has taken custody of the boys.
Astro, seven, and Iggy, five, were left orphaned when their mother Sally died in June of pancreatic cancer.
Leading up to her death the community rallied around the boys, taking care of their daily needs and providing food for the weakening Sally.
The Spillers, Darren and Donna, and three daughters D'Arcy, 11, Gypsy, seven, and Phoebe, five, welcomed the boys into their home after coming to an agreement with Sally.
The Spillers plan to formally adopt the boys in the coming months.
Mr Spiller said both he and his wife "always just wanted huge families" and having two boys along with his three daughters made this a reality.
"(Doing this) has turned a horrible situation into a positive situation," he said.
Large families are in Mr Spiller's heritage, as he has 52 cousins.
"Living in the country (there is) a lot of space around," he said.
Ms Spiller said she was delighted with the large support received.
"It's going really well, I'm really rapt," she said.
Extra money raised but not needed for the trip to New Zealand will be donated to the Smeaton Primary School, where all five children attend.
The party featured 12-piece band Rhythmic Revival, which played free of charge, while many donated items were auctioned to raise money.