Brief History
In 1949 Francis Brabazon bought an acre of land at Beacon Hill, an outer coastal suburb of Sydney. It is one of the high points where beacons were lit to guide ships safely into harbour in early settlement days. The land was largely sandstone with pockets of scrubby vegetation. It had panoramic views over surrounding bushland to the ocean, and to the city of Sydney in the far distance.
At this time a member of the Sufi Movement, Francis’ dream was to build a spiritual centre in Australia. But in 1952 after meeting Meher Baba for the first time at Meher Centre, Myrtle Beach, Francis was convinced that Baba was who He said He was, the Avatar of this Age, the living Christ. And he was prepared to do whatever Baba asked of him. When, among other things, Baba ordered him to return immediately to Australia, Francis departed determined to continue the building at Beacon Hill as a Centre dedicated to Meher Baba and with the hope that one day He may visit and stay there.
Photo: Francis Brabazon taken on the day he left Avatar’s Abode for India, January 1959.
Photographer: Bernard Bruford. Copyright: Avatar’s Abode Trust
Bill and Joan Le Page, both heard of Meher Baba in the 1940s in Melbourne. Although Bill had read the Discourses and was convinced Baba was who He said He was - God in human form - it was only after Francis’ return from meeting Baba in 1952 that he came to know more about Baba the person. He was very drawn to Francis and his active approach to spirituality and was fired with enthusiasm to help Francis in the spreading of Baba’s Name and Message in Australia, and in the building of a Centre for Baba at Beacon Hill.
Initially Bill would come by car from Melbourne, about 600 miles, for short visits staying with Francis on the property. One time the whole family, Bill, Joan and their two children at the time, came to stay for a period of six weeks. After these visits Bill became determined to move to Sydney
permanently. His idea was to buy land and build nearby to the Beacon Hill property so he could be on the spot to help Francis. Then in 1954 through seeming coincidences he found himself employed in Sydney and in June of that year he was finally able to make the move, followed in July by Joan, and their now three children.
Photo: Bill and Joan Le Page Melbourne 1947
In September 1954 Francis and
Bill attended the sahavas in India which became known as the Three Incredible Weeks. It was during this time that Meher Baba made it plain that He wanted to draw Francis more closely to Him. He told Francis ‘to sell all and follow the Cross,’ and at the same time told him to give the Beacon Hill house over to Bill and for Bill and his family to live there. It was also at this time that He told Bill to spread His Name and Message and “to do whatever Francis tells you to do”.
On their return to Australia the change of ownership of the house and land was made legal. And although Bill and Joan, now owned the place, Baba made it clear it was His Place, that Bill was the ‘caretaker’ and that it was ‘never to be sold’.
Photo: the Beacon Hill house in early 1950s
On August 9, 1956, Meher Baba arrived in Sydney Australia for the first time. At the Beacon Hill property, a group of about 50 people had gathered to meet Him. Most were from the Sydney Sufi Movement, some from the Theosophical Society, and some from other groups such as Meditation groups. Part of the work Francis and Bill did at this time in spreading Baba‘s Name and Message involved visiting these groups. On those occasions, Bill would set up the venue and arrange all the practical details and Francis would give a talk on Baba.
Photo: Meher House August 1956: group waiting to greet Meher Baba
Photographer: Aubrey Rouse. From the collection of Robert Rouse
During this time Meher Baba stated the reason for His visit:
1) To sow the seed of His Love in this country;
2) To visit and stay in the house we had built for Him;
3) To gather those of us who loved Him a little and had done a little work for Him into His Love.
Photo: Meher Baba at Sydney Airport August 1956
Photographer: Aubrey Rouse. From the collection of Robert Rouse
In the 1960s and 70s it was from Meher House that the work was done of spreading Meher Baba’s Name and Message. Books were published here; it was the hub for all correspondence regarding Meher Baba’s Work in Australia; meetings focused on Meher Baba’s life and teachings were held here; celebrations of His Birthday and Anniversaries of His visit were held each year.
It remained in it’s dual role of Centre and family home until 2015 when Bill transferred it to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust Australia fulfilling Meher Baba’s directive that it was never to be sold. The purpose of the Trust is: “To hold in perpetuity, the property known as Meher House Sydney to be held solely as a Place of Pilgrimage for all who love and follow Avatar Meher Baba and for all who know of him and wish to know more.”
Photo: Meher House and garden 2019
“The truth of one's own perception and realization is the only road by which wholeness may be restored to the inner psychic being. In no other way can man obtain release from the chains that tie the limited ego-mind to the colossal cosmic illusion which hides from him the perennial spring of the Divinity within.”
~ Meher Baba ~
Life At Its Best p.26