Inside sale of The Family cult's former Victorian sites - realestate.com.au

[ad_1] <img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080620" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080620" data-capiid="d0f90ace0b05ecc881303ab81d912888" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="artwork for cult sites sold in Melbourne story - for herald sun real estate."/> The Household cult, led by Anne Hamilton-Byrne (centre), allegedly subjected youngsters to horrible abuse. Two websites related to the cult, together with Hamilton-Byrne’s former Olinda residence (proper), have simply offered. Footage: Alex Coppel/Equipped.

A number of Victorian properties related to a number of the state’s most infamous cults have been offered in a shock gross sales rush for the houses of ex-sects.

A survivor of one of many cults has revealed his experiences at two of the addresses.

Two of the websites have been related to The Household, led by ex-yoga instructor Anne Hamilton-Byrne who claimed to be a reincarnation of Jesus and taught her followers they'd lead a brand new world order after a nuclear holocaust.

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Also referred to as the Nice White Brotherhood and the Santiniketan Park Affiliation, the sect turned notorious for claims it abused youngsters by way of beatings and hunger, compelled them to take medicine and dyed their hair white-blonde within the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties.

The group’s former Ferny Creek worship corridor – the place the late Hamilton-Byrne was reported to have stored a number of cats she believed to be reincarnations of people – has a brand new proprietor after fetching $1.5m earlier in November.

An Olinda homestead the place Hamilton-Byrne as soon as lived has additionally offered.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080603" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080603" data-capiid="80720d711e04ed16c241a60ab5fcd764" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="31-35 Belgrave-Ferny Creek Rd, Ferny Creek - for herald sun real estate"/> The chapel constructed throughout the Nineteen Seventies by The Household cult members on Belgrave-Ferny Creek Rd, Ferny Creek, has offered for $1.5m.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080604" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080604" data-capiid="e706c99b2cca57e18c2922f6c16bbb90" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Some the children take a walk with Anne Hamilton-Byrne, 'The Family' sect leader who ran the Kia Lama Lodge on the banks of Lake Eildon in Melbourne, Victoria. She fled to USA after allegations of child abuse at this lodge and other properties. Cult."/> Youngsters stroll with The Household cult chief Anne Hamilton-Byrne on the banks of Lake Eildon, Victoria, the place the spiritual group had a lodge.

Hamilton-Byrne was thought to have stored a number of cats, whom she believed to be reincarnations of people, on the Ferny Creek property’s rear.

They aren't the one cult-related Victorian websites to check the market, with the one-time Vivid residence of The Church of the Firstborn offloaded by the present proprietor as properly.

Relating to The Household, some youngsters raised at a cult property in Lake Eildon have been illegally adopted or willingly surrendered by their moms.

After a 1987 police raid eliminated the youngsters from the premises, Hamilton-Byrne and her husband Invoice fled to the US earlier than being arrested in 1993.

They have been by no means charged with youngster abuse however have been fined $5000 after pleading responsible in court docket to creating a false declaration.

Nevertheless, a bunch of the grown-up youngsters sued Hamilton-Byrne and a charity run by cult members for alleged “merciless and inhumane remedy” earlier than being supplied a $600,000 settlement in 2020.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080606" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080606" data-capiid="0a237494553b2b0f171d3d3b7b9ab3fe" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="1445 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda - for herald sun real estate"/> Hamilton-Byrne as soon as lived at this home on Mt Dandenong Vacationer Rd, Olinda, which has simply offered. It beforehand modified palms in 2021.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080607" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080607" data-capiid="fc9da21692d15d4eb4b6b1eb68d205ea" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Anne Hamilton-Byrne, former leader of the sect called 'The Family'. Old family photos framed around the house."/> One of many framed images Hamilton-Byrne had on show in her Melbourne home when the Herald Solar visited in 2009. Image: Alex Coppel.

Possession of the Belgrave-Ferny Creek Rd, Ferny Creek, chapel website was transferred to the Tibetan Cultural Society 5 years in the past.

The spiritual group offered it this month though Fletchers Yarra Ranges’ director Scott Allison declined to remark.

Individually, a nine-bedroom home on Mt Dandenong Vacationer Street, Olinda, the place Hamilton-Byrne previously lived has modified palms for $1.47m.

Ranges First Nationwide Actual Property’s Mick Dolphin and Anthony Iorlano had the itemizing.

A caveat, not related to its final proprietor, was positioned upon the house throughout the authorized proceedings led to by the cult’s survivors.

A survivor of The Household cult, Ben Shenton, has written a e-book titled Life Behind the Wire about his childhood within the sect and the risks of cult-like pondering.

A younger Ben Shenton within the cult, after having his hair bleached blonde.

One of many youngsters raised within the cult, Ben Shenton, was aged 15 when police raided the Lake Eildon property.

He has written a e-book titled Life Behind the Wire detailing his childhood as one of many blonde-haired youngsters in cult images and the risks of cult-like pondering.

The daddy-of-two can be chief govt of the Rescue The Household group and web site geared toward elevating consciousness of such points.

Mr Shenton mentioned he first met his mom, a cult member, when he visited the Hamilton-Byrne’s Olinda property as a boy.

On the time, he didn’t know she was his mother or father and easily referred to her as “aunty”.

He and the opposite youngsters loved visiting the Olinda home as a break from the Lake Eildon premises which they nicknamed a “focus camp”.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080610" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080610" data-capiid="edcb83399e226e7b1577592a9d0ba093" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="21/05/2008: Anne Hamilton-Byrne, The Family sect leader who ran the Kia Lama Lodge on the banks of Lake Eildon in Melbourne, Victoria. She fled to USA after allegations of child abuse at this lodge and other properties."/> Hamilton-Byrne on her solution to court docket within the Nineteen Nineties.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080611" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080611" data-capiid="10c65eadafac48cb0c39c76ff969bda1" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="31-35 Belgrave-Ferny Creek Rd, Ferny Creek - for herald sun real estate"/> Contained in the Ferny Creek corridor which was final owned by a Buddhist group.

His mom turned concerned within the cult after struggling accidents together with whiplash throughout a automobile accident, plus scoliosis.

Conventional medical remedies of the time didn't a lot assist her situation however yoga-related workout routines, together with meditation and prayer from Hamilton-Byrne, drastically helped.

“I feel she was satisfied that Anne was the messiah,” Mr Shenton mentioned.

He recalled Hamilton-Byrne coming into the Ferny Creek corridor for mediations and providers to music composed by Mozart, typically with blue or purple lights illuminating an aisle between chairs.

“I feel there’s an iconic image that reveals an altar arrange with a cross and candles,” Mr Shenton mentioned.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080612" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080612" data-capiid="d2584dc707e760b933fbd8beedaca227" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="1445 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda - for herald sun real estate"/> Me Shenton says the Olinda homestead the place Hamilton-Byrne beforehand lived now seems to be fairly totally different to when he visited as a baby, after the newest proprietor renovated it.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080613" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080613" data-capiid="6c7f54164b9913dae2bc6e7023c3d2c2" width="768" height="1024" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 768 1024"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Anne Hamilton-Byrne, former leader of the sect called 'The Family'. Anne rarely leaves this room and has boarded it up in near total darkness."/> Hamilton-Byrne spent her later years residing in Melbourne earlier than shifting right into a nursing residence, the place she died on the age of 97 in 2019. Image: Alex Coppel.

He mentioned a former grasp of Melbourne College’s Queen’s Faculty, physicist Dr Raynor Johnson, lent the cult credibility after becoming a member of it himself upon the college forcibly retiring him.

A duplicate of his diary, seen by the Herald Solar in 2014, confirmed that Dr Raynor believed Hamilton-Bryne was a reincarnation of Christ.

Mr Shenton mentioned whereas some reviews of The Household’s actions have been barely sensationalised however not by a lot.

One in every of Hamilton-Byrne’s adoptive daughters who skilled as a medical physician after being faraway from the cult, the late Dr Sarah Moore, printed the e-book Unseen, Unknown and Unheard about her horrific childhood experiences, in 1995.

“What Sarah put into her e-book, what we went by way of was certainly very regimented like yoga and meditation,” Mr Shenton mentioned.

“There was a rule e-book that Anne stored, and the aunts (as he and the opposite youngsters known as ladies within the sect) adopted, and would ring in and demand nothing wanting abuse.”

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080614" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080614" data-capiid="d034f4f06c9df78e7b0c4e2f0b00ac0b" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Residence of 1970s sect leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne in Olinda. The Family."/> The previous Olinda residence of Hamilton-Byrne, photographed in 2004. Image: Ian Currie.

Hamilton-Byrne and her husband Invoice’s 1993 arrest made the Herald Solar’s entrance web page.

He recalled the children being disadvantaged of meals, placed on stringent diets to regulate their weight and having their heads dunked in water.

“There was dunking in water that occurred on two separate events, that may be nothing wanting PTSD-material – Publish-Traumatic Stress Syndrome,” Mr Shenton mentioned.

“It was horrendous watching Sarah being bodily overwhelmed and one other woman after that, in addition to on the path of Anne or instantly by Invoice himself at totally different factors.”

Hamilton-Byrne would additionally intervene to interrupt up friendships the youngsters fashioned.

“She directed your life, and that was to set you up in order that she’d turn into your guru, that you just’re conscious that she was the one in management,” he mentioned.

“And she or he perfected that and lied to folks, managed them so that you by no means knew what was true what was not.”

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080616" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080616" data-capiid="4a94df563d8cdd1e824a5343d9db3d82" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="1445 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda - for herald sun real estate"/> The Olinda home was as soon as an eatery the place Devonshire teas have been served to the general public, along with being Hamilton-Byrne’s residence.

Journey motorbike rider and teacher Miles Davis at his Vivid property, the place The Church of the Firstborn was as soon as based mostly. The positioning has offered and is because of settle quickly. Image: Simon Dallinger.

Mr Shenton mentioned he was lucky to get out of the cult as an adolescent.

“I used to be in a position to spend a few years at school, after which lucky to turn into a born-again Christian,” he famous.

“To only turn into a part of a only a regular, customary church that functioned usually, a bunch of those who handled me as regular, not as something particular, and that helped me to choose up social expertise.”

Though Mr Shenton initially struggled after leaving the cult as a younger man, he's now fortunately married with two youngsters, and has loved an extended profession at IBM and BHP.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1080618" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1080618" data-capiid="c14f80028752ccbafeea2bb9fc6cf428" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="441 Back Porepunkah Rd, Bright - for herald sun real estate"/> An aerial view of the Again Porepunkah Rd, Vivid, property the place The Church of the Firstborn cult operated within the Nineteen Eighties.

Roughly a decade in the past, Ranges First Nationwide’s Grant Skipsey listed a handful of uncared for Ferny Creek houses and vacant blocks on behalf of homeowners linked to The Household.

Most of them have been bought by consumers planning to renovate and both reside there or promote on.

Mr Skipsey mentioned the sellers had been pleased for him to reveal the websites’ hyperlinks to the cult which had by then advanced into what they described as a “quiet, aged meditation group”.

Though he had doubts about taking over the listings at first, he finally determined to take action.

“I assumed, ‘Nicely, the earlier I might help get these to non-Household property and into personal possession and transfer onto being one thing regular, that may be good,” Mr Skipsey mentioned.

These days, Ferny Creek is a well-liked suburb for tree-changers, younger first-home purchaser {couples} and upsizing households, he added.

Mr Davis inside the previous church, again in 2021. Image: Simon Dallinger.

Additional away from Melbourne, the one-time Vivid base of an ex-cult named The Church of the Firstborn is because of settle later this yr after promoting off-market.

The two.162ha property incorporates a glass-pyramid-topped chapel that was often known as Christ’s Place of Restoration within the eighties.

Sect founder Ron Clarke (no relation to the athlete) claimed he was the only one that might welcome Jesus again to Earth.

Journey motorbike rider and teacher Miles Davis (no relation to the musician) purchased the property in an deserted state, in 2017.

Dickens Actual Property gross sales supervisor Gerard Grey mentioned the offered worth was undisclosed however that the positioning had attracted curiosity from Melbourne-, Sydney- and Canberra-based consumers.

It was initially listed with a $3m price ticket, 4 years in the past.

“Growing it additional into extra lodging was the most typical purchaser inquiry,” Mr Grey mentioned.

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