Photos of New Church of Scientology of Melbourne

 

Following are photos of the magnificent new Church of Scientology in Melbourne – the first Australian Ideal Church of Scientology.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, addressed the more than 2,000 who attended the dedication of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne, saying,

“It is my honour to join you this evening and commemorate a moment that will live on in history for a long time to come. Not that you haven’t loomed large in history before, not that you haven’t triumphed over great adversity in years gone by, not that you didn’t stand firm for the dignity of Man, and not that you didn’t indeed uphold the God-given rights of all religions all over this world. But having triumphed today in the name of our religion, you just flipped this planet all the way around so that Melbourne now sits on top of the globe.”

 

Melbourne native and award-winning singer and songwriter, Kate Ceberano, performed her original composition “This Song is You.” The song was written in celebration of the opening of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne, honouring the heritage of the city and all of Australia.

 

 

 

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the Right Honourable Robert Doyle, welcomed the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne and praised the congregation’s commitment to the city. He stated,

“Today marks an historic occasion for Scientology. The building you see before you is the first of its type in Australasia, and the re-birth of an historic Melbourne building. This is a unique space. I hope benefits flow in partnerships, community connection and good will. I invite you to celebrate this opening in the heart of our exciting, welcoming and diverse Melbourne.”

 

Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano addressed Scientologists and guests at the opening ceremonies of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne. Speaking to the Church’s historic preservation of the mid-19th century estate known as Ailsa, Mr. Giuliano said, “I know that I speak for many when I say thank you very much for restoring this beloved landmark to its former glory. I cannot think of a better custodian than the Church of Scientology.”

Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable Justin Madden, graciously participated in the dedication of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne. Commending the Church, Mr. Madden stated, “Unselfishly, you work to provide ways and means to uplift our society. You have set the standard for the community with your restoration of this building and with your social programmes—an example I will point to for others to follow. Your new Church is as Melbourne as Melbourne gets.”

 

 

Former Indigenous Person of the Year and traditional owner of Uluru, Uncle Bob Randall, spoke at the dedication of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne declaring, “Scientology Volunteer Ministers have come to my country and given us hope that we can deal with these problems and we will make a difference in the near future. The Volunteer Ministers I’ve met have become my friends. The fellowship between us has been fun and I look forward to continuing that relationship to continue on to the present into the future. On behalf of me and my people, I thank you.”

 

 

Thousands of Scientologists and guests toured the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne. The Church’s Public Information Displays offer more than 450 informational films which provide an introduction to every aspect of Dianetics and Scientology and the many humanitarian programs sponsored by the Church.

 

 

Reception: The Church of Scientology of Melbourne’s reception extends a welcome to everyone. Here, visitors will find an array of introductory books presenting the fundamental beliefs and practices of the religion.

 

The Scientology Public Information Centre: The Church of Scientology of Melbourne’s Public Information Centre offers informational films which provide an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, as well as the Church’s many humanitarian and community outreach programmes. Here, too, is a biographical exhibit on the life and legacy of Founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

 

The Chapel: All congregational gatherings are convened in the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne’s Chapel—weddings, naming ceremonies (christenings), and, of course, Sunday Services. The Chapel further serves as a venue for a host of community events and functions.

 

Introductory Services: A full wing of the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne is devoted to the delivery of Scientology Introductory Services. These include the Personal Efficiency Course, an evening seminar providing fundamental Scientology principles applicable to everyday life and work.

 

The Purification Centre: L. Ron Hubbard developed the Purification Programme to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs. The Melbourne Church of Scientology’s Purification Centre pays homage to Victoria’s Twelve Apostles in a stained glass mural.

 

The Office of L. Ron Hubbard: As is traditional in all Churches of Scientology, an office of L. Ron Hubbard stands in honour of the Founder and symbolizes that this Church is true to his writings and ideals.

 

 

The new home of the Church of Scientology of Melbourne is a landmark steeped in history. In 1873 it was site of the first match of the legendary Essendon Football Club, and beginning in the early 1900s it housed Mercy Teachers’ College, which later became part of the Australian Catholic University.

 

 

Australia’s first Ideal Church of Scientology now occupies the estate of Melbourne founding father, Robert McCracken.  The original mid-19th century coach house now serves as the Church’s community conference centre.

 

The new home of Melbourne’s Church of Scientology retains the original landmark structures that once comprised Mercy Teachers’ College,including the cloister, which now serves as entryway for the Scientology Public Information Centre.

 

After careful historical restoration and renovation of the century-old buildings of the landmark Ailsa estate, the new Church of Scientology of Melbourne was inaugurated on January 29, 2011.

New Church of Scientology of Melbourne Australia Opens in Ascot Vale

Thousands of Scientologists, dignitaries and guests from across the nation celebrated a milestone—the opening of the first Ideal Scientology Church in Australia – the massive new Church of Scientology of Melbourne, located in Ascot Vale.

Auntie Joy Murphy Wandin, senior elder of the Wurundjeri people, opened the dedication with the traditional “Welcome to Country” ceremony, welcoming Scientologists to the lands of her ancestors.

Scientologist, Melbourne native and award-winning singer and songwriter Kate Ceberano performed a moving rendition of her original composition “This Song is You,” written in honour of the occasion and the heritage of the city and all that Australia holds dear.

In tribute to the significance of the occasion Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, travelled to Melbourne from the United States to officiate at the dedication.  He acknowledged the long parade of accomplishments by Australian Scientologists that culminated in the new Church.

“It is my honour to join you this evening and commemorate a moment that will live on in history for a long time to come. Not that you haven’t loomed large in history before, not that you haven’t triumphed over great adversity in years gone by, not that you didn’t stand firm for the dignity of Man, and not that you didn’t indeed uphold the God-given rights of all religions all over this world.

“But having triumphed today in the name of our religion, you just flipped this planet all the way around so that Melbourne now sits on top of the globe. And that’s what it means to build an Ideal Org beneath the Southern Cross.”

Mr. Miscavige also spoke of Melbourne’s hallowed place in Scientology history, noting that Founder L. Ron Hubbard himself came to Melbourne in November 1959 to deliver a series of lectures to its founding Scientology community.  As Mr. Miscavige explained: 

“Those November 1959 lectures marked a turn in the path and a rise in the road, from which the whole panorama of human potential came into focus." 

"Whence, the highest levels of Scientology and the whole vista of spiritual enlightenment and freedom." 

“So you wonder where you stand in the history and legacy of LRH and our religion as a whole?  None of it would exist were it not for what began right here—and that’s both the heritage and legacy, which is indelibly woven through the brickwork of your new Ideal Org of Melbourne.”

Acknowledging the Church for its many contributions to the community were Melbourne Lord Mayor the Honourable Robert Doyle, Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable Justin Madden, Sociologist Professor Gary Bouma and former Indigenous Person of the Year Uncle Bob Randall.

Praising the Church’s active role in community life, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told those assembled: “Today marks an historic occasion for Scientology. The building you see before you is the first of its type in Australasia, and the re-birth of an historic Melbourne building. This is a unique space. I hope benefits flow in partnerships, community connection and goodwill. I invite you to celebrate this opening in the heart of our exciting, welcoming and diverse Melbourne.”

Moonee Valley City Councillor Paul Giuliano welcomed the congregation to his metropolitan Melbourne community where the Church is located: “I know that I speak for many when I say thank you so very much for restoring this beloved landmark to its former glory.  I cannot think of a better custodian than the Church of Scientology.”

The occasion was a reunion for teacher, football icon and Victoria Shadow Minister Justin Madden, who attended the Catholic University within the walls of what is now the new Scientology Church.  He commended the Church for its historic preservation as well as its literacy and drug education initiatives:  “Unselfishly, you work to provide ways and means to uplift our society.  You have set the standard for the community with your restoration of this building and with your social programs—an example I will point to for others to follow.  Your new Church is as Melbourne as Melbourne gets.”

Human rights activist Bob Randall, whose award-winning documentary, Kanyini, exposed the plight of the Aboriginal “stolen generations,” thanked the Church and its Scientology Volunteer Ministers program for its commitment to the indigenous people of Australia: “Scientology Volunteer Ministers have come to my country and given us hope that we can deal with these problems and we will make a difference in the near future. The Volunteer Ministers I’ve met have become my friends. The fellowship between us has been fun and I look forward to continuing that relationship to continue on to the present into the future. On behalf of me and my people, I thank you.”

To contact the church or schedule a tour, see a map to the church here, or see:

Church of Scientology of Melbourne

231-251 Mt. Alexander Road, Ascot Vale
Melbourne, Victoria 3032
Australia

(03) 9654-8655

www.scientology-melbourne.org

New Melbourne Church on the Way for one of Scientology’s Oldest Communities

One of the Scientology religion’s oldest communities, with its roots dating back to 1955, Melbourne Scientologists are getting ready to open a massive new Church to house their religious and social betterment activities. 

Their new premises in the Ascot Vale neighborhood, set to open in the coming months, is currently under renovations and represents a massive increase in capacity and facilities for the burgeoning Scientology community in Melbourne, and the first of a new breed of Ideal Scientology organizations for Australia.

Melbourne: A Rich Scientology History

Melbourne’s Scientology presence was first established in 1955, growing out of several smaller Scientology and Dianetics groups that had sprung up around Melbourne.

At this point in time, the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI), was headquartered on Spring Street, in Melbourne, directly across the road from the Victorian Parliament building.

The first gathering of Australian Scientologists was held later in 1955. This was a milestone as the first large scale organized meeting of Scientologists from all over Australia. And it was only the beginning of one of the largest Scientology Churches across the planet at that time. 

From these beginnings The executives in Melbourne worked to open up Scientology offices in other cities around Australia called “City Offices”, notably in Sydney and Perth.

With the formation of the official Melbourne Church Publication, Communication Magazine, the Melbourne Scientology parishioners were united, sparking a huge interest in Scientology all over Victoria and Australia. The fresh, emerging culture of 1950s Australia was wide open for change, and Scientology was at the cutting edge of that change.

A letter from one of the Melbourne Church executives to L. Ron Hubbard on the 14 April 1959 stated, “Perhaps the difference in Aussie is there is a lot of hope and many possibilities of succeeding in the game down here than elsewhere – perhaps – and also no hidebound old culture bogging them down – tradition, etc., (not to pooh-pooh tradition where they are useful and go ahead) but sitting on past glories (and failures) is no good. They don’t do that in Aussie.”

L. Ron Hubbard would later on that year deliver the Special Congress for Australian Scientologists in Melbourne, available today as the Melbourne Congress, a lecture series where he detailed to Australian Scientologists a responsibility they hold to this day as a last safe harbor, and on the subject of Responsibility itself.

No surprise then, that Melbourne Scientologists take that message of community responsibility to heart in the construction of their new centre, so as to carry forth that responsibility in the areas of anti-drug and human rights education, morals, and help for the spirit.