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Meher Baba Australia March – May 2020 Meher Baba Australia - Meher Baba’s House at Avatar’s Abode. The Avatar’s Abode Trust has been operating for 35 years History into the content and wording of (he is also a Shareholder). During Meher Baba’s ministry His the Deed. This input was from the On this occasion Eruch Jessawala wishes were to create a series of Trusts perspective of what Beloved Baba chose and nominated the names of to ensure the ongoing tenure, security would want. eight other shareholder/directors. and management of Meherabad and Bhau Kalchuri also had additional At that time, the directors and Meherazad, Avatar’s Abode, and input from the legal perspective, shareholders were the same people. Meher Spiritual Center. drawing on his experience in the They have since been separated so With these purposes in mind, in formation of Baba’s Trust in India. that directors may resign and not the early 1980s a number of Meher The wording of the Trust Deed is a affect the shareholding and the Baba lovers throughout Australia reflection of a vision for the ongoing associated considerable transfer stamp began working on the formation of a security and purpose of Avatar’s duty. new Trust Deed for Avatar’s Abode. Abode, as expressed by Bill Le Page In April of 1984 the Trust Deed and They engaged the services of lawyers and Francis Brabazon. the Company structure required to who were expert in the field. There In February 1983 the proposed administer the new Trust were ready was also continuing consultation with Trust Deed and the associated to be signed. This was after further Baba’s Mandali, Eruch Jessawala, Company objectives were taken to the consultations with the Mandali and Mani Irani, Bhau Kalchuri and Rano Mandali at Meherazad. In accordance extensive work that lasted over twelve Gailey who all had significant input with Beloved Baba’s wish the Deed months with solicitors and advice appointed Bill LePage as Chairman from a Queens Counsel to make sure 2 March – May 2020 Meher Baba’s House at Avatar’s Abode. it complied with Australian law. The guidelines and rules of operation Him”. This forms the same QC also checked that the Trust met are set out in the Memorandum basic structure of the India Trust the requirements for a ‘not for profit’ and Articles of Association (AMBPPCT) and the Meher organisation and that it would have according to Australian Law and Spiritual Center at Myrtle Beach. significant tax-free exemptions for the Trust Deed. Since 2012 the • Shareholders of Avatar’s land and income tax. When GST Company has complied with Abode Pty Ltd – there are nine was introduced in 2000, exemption the guidelines of The Australian shareholders. The shares are held immediately applied. Charities and Not-for-profit by long term Baba lovers and With the encouragement of Eruch, Commission (ACNC) where it is are of one-dollar value. They Avatar’s Abode property was signed classified as a Religious Charity. are not of any financial value to across to the new Trust structure. The There are board meetings every the holder and they revert to the signing verified the acceptance of the second month. company when a shareholder new Trust by all parties. Digital copies of the Trust Deed dies or resigns. At least six of and Memorandum and Articles the nine remaining shareholders What makes it all work of Association are available upon decide who receives any share that • Avatar’s Abode Trust Deed – request. The company operates becomes available. contains all of the important within the framework of its • Directors of Avatar’s Abode objectives and goals for Avatar’s Constitution and ASIC and Pty Ltd – these Board members Abode. For the sake of example, Charities Commission (ACNC). actively work to uphold the one of the important parts of the • Appointment of Shareholders objectives of the Deed and the Deed states that Avatar’s Abode and Directors – Eruch said Trustee Company making policy can never be sold or mortgaged in 1983 in relation to the decisions within the scope of and must be maintained as a development of Avatar’s Abode, the objectives. They receive no place of Pilgrimage no matter “any elections of shareholders and financial remuneration. There is what. It cannot be changed even directors should not be open to a quorum for meetings and the by unanimous decision. the general community; a time required majority depends on the • Avatar’s Abode Pty. Ltd – this will come when many people number present. From time to is the Trustee Company which will come to Baba who will not time the Board has invited experts administers the Trust Deed. Its have the same connection with Continued on next page 3 Meher Baba Australia - Baba’s Square at Avatar’s Abode. from the Meher Baba community going work as well as organising live interstate or overseas. to observe meetings and make working bees. • Baba’s House Committee at recommendations on more • General Grounds and Property Avatar’s Abode – this committee efficient functioning. Workers – this group of people oversees the décor, security and • Management Committee – this does the endless mowing, tree Baba’s House and Meeting Hall committee consists of board and maintenance, clearing and fire preservation and maintenance. non-board members and meets hazard reduction. • Anniversary Committee – this monthly to carry out day to day • W.I.P. – (Work In Progress) this group takes on the complex task running of the property, it also consists of members of the of organising guests, preparing expedites the decisions of the management committee who and running all aspects of Board of Directors. meet weekly to define priorities celebrating the Anniversaries The Management and make sure the urgent things of Meher Baba’s visits to His Committee has several are done first and that work Australian Abode. sub-workgroups is carried out as planned e.g. • Archive Committee – this engaging electricians, plumbers • Building Maintenance Group – committee is responsible for and extra workers for the Abode. this group has had a significant all aspects of archiving Baba’s impact on Avatar’s Abode • Friends of Avatar’s Abode precious artefacts and items also doing major repairs and Committee – the aim is for all associated with Him maintenance (e.g. Replacing the Baba lovers to be a ‘Friend’ and • Librarian – this person maintains roof of Baba’s House) and is support and participate in His and manages the Francis made up of some of the younger Abode. The ‘workers’ organise Brabazon library on Avatar’s generation of Baba lovers who funding for the Abode and Abode and the supply of books to possess these skills. prepare information for ‘what the four accommodation facilities • Buildings Grounds Work has been happening on Avatar’s on Avatar’s Abode. Abode’ and general information Group – this is another work • Website Managers – these people reports. Many of the interested group that does a huge amount are tasked with developing and global Meher Baba Community of work. It carries out regular on- improving the website, keeping 4 March – May 2020 Windows of Meher Baba’s Room at Avatar’s Abode. it up to date with the current • Pilgrim Visits and accommodation or have a day information. Accommodation Workers – this visit to Avatar’s Abode. The • Events Calendar Workgroup – work involves arranging for day accommodation has been kept this group meets annually to plan pilgrims to be met and shown in good condition and inviting the major events timetable on around Avatar’s Abode. It also for pilgrims. There has been Avatar’s Abode for the next twelve involves communicating and a marked increase in visitors months. making a booking for pilgrims staying on the Abode in the last (often international) who want twelve months. Many pilgrims • Flower Workers – fresh flowers to stay on the property. This also have commented saying what a are placed in Baba’s Room two may involve making sure they are wonderful experience of love and times a week and are also placed met at transport terminals, taken care they felt on the Abode. on Baba’s Sandals daily. Flowers shopping and introduced to the have been placed in Baba’s Room • Events and Meetings – events property when they are new to since His visit in 1958. including the Anniversary of Avatar’s Abode. Baba’s visit, Baba’s Birthday, • Cleaning Workers – there are What really makes it all work is the Amartithi, Silence Day, Mehera’s workers who maintain and clean love, devotion and financial support Birthday, Spring and Youth Baba’s House and the Meeting of lovers of Baba Sahavas have been successfully Hall. There are also workers held every year. Many wonderful who clean and maintain the What the Trust has overseas guests have been hosted; Reception Centre, the Shed, the this includes Mandali members Kitchen and toilets. There are achieved in 35 years – e.g. Bhau Kalchuri, Meheru people who clean and maintain • Place of Pilgrimage – the Irani and Katie Irani. There have Judith’s Cottage, Francis’s Cabin, property has been maintained also been many Baba lover guests the Farmhouse and the Pilgrim as a Place of Pilgrimage and up with a wealth of Baba stories and Quarters in readiness for the next to hundreds of pilgrims have come to stay in the provided wave of pilgrims. Continued on next page 5 Meher Baba Australia - history who have come to stay the undercover verandah). role. The property has a small wages and give talks or perform. Besides It has been used for many cost when part-time workers are hired these larger events there are Anniversaries and events thus and sometimes volunteer staff also regular meetings happening every saving a lot of funds that are paid a minimal amount, when week, at present there are four previously needed expenditure doing major work which affects their Baba focused meetings every week spent on hiring marquees.

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