- Michael Chamberlain
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Michael Chamberlain Born 1944 (age 66–67)
Christchurch, New ZealandOccupation Pastor, teacher, writer Nationality Australian Education PhD University of Newcastle
BTeach Avondale College
MA Andrews University
BA Avondale CollegeNotable work(s) Beyond Azaria / Michael Chamberlain, Lowell Tarling (1999, ISBN 1-86350-277-7) Spouse(s) Lindy Murchison (1968–1991)
Ingrid Bergner (1994-present)Children Aidan (born 1973)
Reagan (born 1976)
Azaria (June 1980 - August 1980)
Kahlia (born 1982)
Zahra (born 1996)
michaelchamberlain.com.auMichael Leigh Chamberlain (born 1944) is an Australian writer, retired teacher and former pastor, best known due to the 1980 disappearance of his daughter Azaria whilst camping near Uluru/Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory. When Chamberlain's then-wife Lindy was found guilty of the baby's murder in 1982, he was convicted of being an accessory after the fact.[1] The findings of a 1987 Royal Commission ultimately exonerated the couple, but not before they were subjected to sensationalist reporting and intense public scrutiny.[2][3]
Chamberlain currently resides in Cooranbong, New South Wales with his second wife Ingrid.[4]
Contents
Early life and pastoral career
Chamberlain was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, the eldest son of Ivan and Greta Chamberlain.[2] His father served as a warrant officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II, while his mother was involved with the administration of the Seventh-Day Adventist church in southern New Zealand.[2]
Educated at Lincoln High School and Christchurch Boys' High School, Chamberlain commenced studies at the University of Canterbury but after converting to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1965, left and migrated to Australia.[2][5] He subsequently studied at Avondale College in Cooranbong and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Theology) degree in 1969.[2] He married Lindy Murchison the same year, after meeting her in 1968.[5]
After graduating, Chamberlain worked as a Seventh-Day Adventist minister in Tasmania where Lindy gave birth to two children - Aidan (born 2 October 1973) and Regan (born 16 April 1976).[2] In 1977 the family moved to Queensland where Chamberlain produced and presented a radio programme called The Good Life, a commentary on lifestyle and culture throughout the northern parts of the state.[2] The Chamberlain's third child, daughter Azaria, was born in Mount Isa on 11 June 1980.[3]
Disappearance of Azaria
Main article: Azaria Chamberlain disappearanceIn August 1980, the Chamberlain family were to holiday in Darwin, where Michael intended on fishing for barramundi.[5] Lindy, however, had visited Uluru when she was 16 and wished to visit again, so the family traveled there with the intention of camping three days before continuing on to Darwin.[5] The family had several encounters with dingoes after making camp at Uluru, including on the night of 17 August when Michael fed one a piece of crust.[1] Shortly before 8:00pm, Lindy put Azaria to bed in their tent and returned to the campfire. After crying out at about 8:00pm, Azaria disappeared from their tent, never to be seen again.[3]
Investigators observed paw prints on the floor of the tent[1] and bloodstained clothing belonging to the child was later discovered amongst rocks near the base of Uluru.[3] An 1981 coronial inquest into the death concluded that the baby had been taken by a dingo, however this finding was overturned by another inquest in 1982.[1][3] Lindy was subsequently tried for murder and given a life sentence, whilst Michael was convicted of being an accessory after the fact and given an eighteen-month suspended sentence.[1][5]
During her imprisonment in Darwin, Lindy gave birth to the Chamberlains' fourth child, Kahlia (born 17 November 1982).[6] Two weeks later, Michael was awarded a Master of Arts degree through Andrews University.[2] He later attributed his perseverance in studying for the degree during this difficult period as motivated by anger towards the Northern Territory government.[5]
A 1987 Royal Commission examined the case against the Chamberlains and the science behind key forensic evidence was challenged.[5] The following year, the NT Court of Appeal quashed all convictions recorded against the Chamberlains.[1]
“ They spelled out that what they meant by quashing the guilty verdicts was not just that we were not guilty, but that we were innocent. ” —Michael Chamberlain[5]
Later life and teaching career
Following their exoneration, the Chamberlains' relationship deteriorated and they divorced in 1991.[7] Three years later, Michael married Ingrid Bergner and in 1996 they had a daughter named Zahra.[2]
In 2002, Chamberlain was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (Education) degree by the University of Newcastle for his thesis entitled ‘The changing role of Ellen White in Seventh-Day Adventism with reference to sociocultural standards at Avondale College’.[8] Also in 2002, he graduated from Avondale College with a Bachelor of Teaching degree,[2] qualifying him to teach high school English and history.[5][6]
The following year, Chamberlain stood as a Liberal candidate for the seat of Lake Macquarie in the NSW parliamentary election, achieving a 5.2% swing against sitting member Jeff Hunter.[2] However, the swing was not enough to claim the seat and Chamberlain went on to accept a three-year teaching post at a difficult Aboriginal high school in Brewarrina, New South Wales.[2][5] Whilst living there, Chamberlain was twice assaulted by a man accusing him of murdering Azaria.[5]
Chamberlain returned to Cooranbong in 2006 and taught at Gosford High School until 2008, when he retired.[2][5][6] He now is focusing on writing professionally, with two books underway.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Linder, Douglas (2005). "The Trial of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain: A Commentary". University of Missouri - Kansas City. http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/chamberlain/chamberlainaccount.html. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chamberlain, Michael (n.d.). "Biography of Michael Chamberlain". http://www.michaelchamberlain.com.au/biography.html. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Chamberlain, Azaria Chantel Loren (1980)". Australian National University. http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130439b.htm. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Where are they now?". The Advertiser. 10 August 2010. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/where-are-they-now/story-e6frea8c-1225903641550. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Everlasting nightmare". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 September 2008. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/everlasting-nightmare/2008/09/12/1220857835083.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ^ a b c Fidgeon, Patrice (2010). "The Chamberlains: Where are they now?". New Idea. http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/article/-/7644390/the-chamberlains-where-are-they-now/. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ Toohey, Paul; Fife-Yeomans, Janet (10 August 2010). "Suspicion dogged Michael Chamberlain". The Advertiser. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/suspicion-dogged-michael-chamberlain/story-e6frea83-1225903639866. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Conferring of degrees booklet". University of Newcastle, Australia. 2 May 2002. http://library.newcastle.edu.au/articles/2477536.31173/1.PDF. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
External links
Categories:- People from New South Wales
- 1944 births
- Living people
- Australian Seventh-day Adventists
- New Zealand Seventh-day Adventists
- People from Christchurch
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