Father Bob runs the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, is a passionate advocate for the disadvantaged and is based out of Melbourne. He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and has also received a Reserve Force Decoration.

He has also been featured in many media projects, including SBS television program John Safran Vs God.

The Father Bob Lourdes Camel Sanctuary is a joint effort between Father Bob and Sally and Mick Millard.

Father Bob said the sanctuary will serve as a way for disadvantaged families to get out and experience life outside of Melbourne.

"Some children have never been to regional Victoria," he said.

"And lots of children have never patted a camel. Our new sanctuary can help them get over the hump of life."

Construction on the sanctuary was still underway but Father Bob said it was progressing.

"We're waiting to get an amenities centre being installed and then when that's done you can have people go up on day trips," he said.

The amenities centre will include a kitchen and a meet and greet place, among other things.

"We got a van and we've also got a big passenger bus. We'll fit it out so that people can go up either in that or in our little transit van. We're determined to get people up there though because they are not in touch with nature down here (in Melbourne)."

Father Bob described the sanctuary and the Pyrenees region as "a work of art".

"When I saw it I nearly fell down. It's 220 acres and you don't see anything like that in Melbourne. Rural Australia will save the city because it will put us back in touch with nature.

"What a magnificent place is the Pyrenees."

Anyone heading to the market will have the chance to speak with Father Bob themselves.

"People want to see how fair dinkum you are and they only way they can find out how fair dinkum you are is to stand side by side and converse," he said.

Ms Millard said she and husband Mick had had the sanctuary since 2015 and describes it as a sanctuary "for all".

"We're a sanctuary for camels and people as well," she said.

"We said to a lady who was in a domestic violence situation who had three horses, two cows, and a camel that (we would help) because she wouldn't leave her animals behind."

As to fundraising at the market, Ms Millard said their goal was to raise "anything" - something that's been a struggle so far.

"We're hoping for a corporate sponsor to come on board," she said.

"We've got the Go Fund Me pages and My Giving Circle, Father Bob is doing his bit down there."

Ms Millard said attracting funding may have been a struggle so far because the concept of a camel sanctuary was so unusual.

"We're the first camel therapy business in Australia and it's so new and so different."

People also believed some unsavoury things about camels that weren't necessarily true, Ms Millard said.

"They are very gentle and genuine," she said. "The kids have a real affinity with them ... and they can't physically spit.

"Street kids are misfits and camels are misfits so they seem to connect on that common ground."

To donate to the Go Fund Me, click here. Alternatively, head to the Beaufort Town Market on Saturday February 22 between 9am and 1pm and snag a sausage sizzle to contribute.

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