Yvonne Gillham Jentzsch

Yvonne Gillham Jentzsch
Founder of Scientology's Celebrity Center
Born	Yvonne Doreen Harding-Wilson October 20, 1927 Toowong, Queensland, Australia
Died	January 23, 1978 (aged 50) Clearwater, Florida, United States
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Scientologist
Years active	1954-1978
Spouse	Peter F Gillham (m. 1952-1971) Heber C. Jentzsch (m. 1972-1978)
Children	Peter (born 1953) Terri (born 1954) Janis (born 1956)

Yvonne Gillham Jentzsch (October 20, 1927 - January 23, 1978) was a major figure in the Church of Scientology. Yvonne was the founder of Scientology's Celebrity Centers. She was one of the most beloved people in Scientology. Yvonne devoted practically her whole adult life to the church, but sadly passed away at the early age of 50. Here-in lies the official family authorized biography of the lady affectionately known as Yvonne.

Lineage

Yvonne Doreen Harding-Wilson was born into a family that had a proud heritage of very important and prominent people of Australia.

Great Grandfathers

George Rogers Harding (December 3, 1838 - August 31, 1895). The only son of an English Vicar. He wrote and had published his first book of law in 1860, moved to Brisbane, Queensland in 1866 and rose to the position of Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. With his first wife he had fifteen children, twelve of whom survived. His brother-in-law also had a law practice in Brisbane and owned two of the newspapers there. The Harding's were well known for their banquets and entertainments at their expansive home. Prince Albert and Prince George were entertained by the Harding's during their visit to Brisbane in 1881. Family members still have pieces from the 250 piece gold plate dishes that were made just for their visit (See a picture of one in - Picture Gallery The Early Years). Justice Harding published six more law books prior to his death at 56 years of age.

Walter Horatio Wilson (July 15, 1839 - February 28, 1902). Minister of Justice for ten years, Supreme Court Justice from 1866, Postmaster General and later the Minister of Education for Queensland.

Grand Uncles

George Rogers Harding. Eldest son of Justice Harding. Justice of the Peace for fifty years. Owned one of the first cars in Queensland and the eleventh in Australia.

Walter Charles Harding. Third son of Justice Harding. Law practice for forty five years. Member of the old Toowong town council, responsible for the establishment of Anzac Park and the trees that he planted there in memory of the soldiers who fought in World War I.

Grandfather

Walter Frederick Wilson. Son of Walter Horatio Wilson. Judge of the land court and member of the Toowong Shire Council. Married to Ada Ethel Harding-Wilson, forth child of Justice Harding. Their children were: Ethel Maud, Walter Horatio, Lionel (Yvonne's dad), Arundel Frederick Horatio and Ralph.

Uncle

Frederick Joseph Docker. He was known to the family as Eric as he was married to Ethel Maud (Lionel's sister). The Docker's were a prominent family in Sydney, Australia. Eric's grandfather was Joseph Docker, who was a surgeon, a politician and a landowner in Sydney. Eric's uncle was Judge Ernest Brougham Docker, who was a district judge. Eric was an author, having published two books, and a noted associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Australia).

Parents

Lionel Sandys Harding-Wilson (February 8, 1893 - April 21, 1950). Born in Toowong, the second son of Walter Frederick and Ada Ethel Harding-Wilson. He went to work at the Head Office of the Queensland National Bank Ltd. on February 24, 1913. During World War I he enlisted in the 1st Australian Division on August 18, 1914 (the very first day that enlistment opened in Brisbane, being one of the "first Anzacs") and served until 1918. He was seriously wounded on May 6, 1917, but healed well enough to go back to work as an officer in the Branch Accountants Department of the Q.N. bank2. a colloquial name for the reactive mind. This is what the procedures of Scn are devoted to disposing of, for it is only a burden to an individual and he is much better off without it. (Scn AD)...more on January 13, 1921. A car engine fell on his chest reopening his old war wound, rendering him an invalid and forcing him to take an early retirement on March 31. 1945. He died at the early age of 57 and was cremated.

Lionel Harding-Wilson served his country in the following conflicts;

1. Egypt. On September 24, 1914 his unit was shipped to Egypt aboard the Transport A5 S.S. Omrah, arriving December 2 as a member of the 9th Battalion (the 9th was the first one sent onto shore).
2. Gallipoli Campaign. April 25, 1915 - withdrawal, December 19/20, 1915. Lionel was one of the first soldiers on shore on April 25, 1915, arriving at 4:30 am at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. (Lionel was treated for diarrhea/dysentery twice; August 23, 1915 to September 8, 1915 at the Australian General Hospital . Lemnos Island, Greece, near Gallipoli. Then September 22, 1915 - October 8, 1915 at the 2nd General Hospital, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, England. January 1916 Lionel was admitted to the hospital in Cairo for Mumps, rejoining his unit on March 6, 1916.
3. France and Flanders. July 23, 1916 - September 3, 1916, Battle of Pozieres. Lionel was wounded in the buttocks on July 23, 1916 and was sent to Brook War Hospital, London, England from July 27, 1916 - October 14, 1916. He rejoined the 9th Battalion Australian Imperial Forces in France on November 17, 1916.
4. France. Lionel fought in the following battles in France, November 17, 1916 - May 6, 1917;
   1. Capture of Ligny-Thilloy. February 25, 1917 - March 2, 1917. On March 24, 1917 Lionel was made a temporary Corporal. (Noted in Lionel's war record: On February 25, Cpl. Wilson was in command of a bombing team, worked down a portion of the enemyWhen a person is an avowed and knowing enemy of an individual, a group, project or org, a condition of enemy exists. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976).'s trench and established a bomb-stop while under heavy artillery and machine gun fire)
   2. German attack on Lagnicourt, April 15, 1917.
   3. Second Battle of Bullecourt, May 3 - May 17, 1917. During this battle, on May 6, Lionel was seriously wounded with gun shot wounds to the chest. The small bible that he kept in his left chest pocket took most of the bullets and saved his life. He was left for dead on the battle field and not discovered until the bodies were being cleared off of the field. Lionel was promoted to Lance Corporal on May 7, 1917 and ended up at the Edmonton Military Hospital in England on June 7, 1917.

Irene Joyce Wotherspoon (August 23, 1903 - 1980). Born in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wotherspoon. She was a nurse and was very involved, for over twenty five years, with the Red Cross; serving as president of the Toowong branch of the Red Cross in Queensland. On May 8, 1963 she received the International Red Cross Distinguished Service Award. In 1964 she was awarded a five month, around the world, tour meeting people that she knew or helped during her years of service to the Red Cross. During that trip she traveled to; Sacramento, California, Augusta, Georgia, Fort Gordon Red Cross Section, Georgia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, DeKalb, Illinois, Lawton, Oklahoma, New York and the Worlds Fair, London, England, Rome, Carthage and Singapore.

Early Years (1927 to 1953)

Yvonne Doreen Harding-Wilson was born October 20, 1927 in Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Lionel Sandys Harding-Wilson and Irene Joyce Wotherspoon. Her parents, both of the Christian faith, were married at St. Thomas' Church of England, Toowong. (This was the church that both the Harding's and the Wilson's attended. Mr. Walter H. Wilson had been the music director for the church as well as having donated his organ to the church. Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Wilson and Yvonne's parents were married there. Yvonne's father and her sister were christened there as well. The church was located 1.35 kilometers (.84 miles) from Yvonne's family home). Miss Wotherspoon had married into a high society that she had not been raised in, nor was accustomed to. This situation would create friction in her family as she grew older.

During Yvonne's youngest years she developed her closest relationships with three people; her father, her aunt Ethel (Lionel's sister) and her grandmother Ada Harding-Wilson (Lionel's mother). Her grandmother, Mrs. Harding-Wilson, would continually make it a point to impress upon young Yvonne that she was not just a Wilson, but a Harding-Wilson! She lived across from Anzac Park at the corner of Dean and Wool Street, streets where most of the Harding's and the Wilson's lived or had lived; notably her grand uncles G.R. Harding and W.C. Harding. When Yvonne was a little over three years old her sister was born; Margaret Gwendoline Harding-Wilson (b. November 4, 1930 Toowong d. 1986? Toowong).

Yvonne was christened on February 6, 1932 at St. Barnabas Angelican Church, Ithaca, 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) from her home. Her Godparents were uncle Arundell (Lionel's younger brother), aunt Ethel (Lionel's sister) and aunt Marj (Lionel's cousin). One month later Yvonne was in the hospital where she had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She was 5 years 5 months old when, on April 15, 1933, she started school at Leumeah High School and Kindergarten, Toowong, which was 1.9 kilometers (1.2 mils) from her home. She was an adventurous young child as evidenced by this entry into her family scrap book - "April 18, 1934. Being now 6 years old took Margaret now 3 years for 4 mile walk along beach at Redcliffe. Mum & Dad had all the town searching for us, result - put to bed!". She was known as "EO", her nick name, during her childhood.

Yvonne started her primary school on February 5, 1935 at St. Aidan's Angelic Girls' School, Corinda, which was 7.9 kilometers (4.9 miles) from her home. As noted in her scrap book, she was very active in school sports. While in Redcliffe, where the family had a second home, in May of 1937 Yvonne sprained her wrist while doing catherine wheels off of a boat. Her first boat trip was on December 17, 1938 where she was a passenger on the SS Canberra. She traveled to Sydney where she spent seven weeks visiting several of her aunts; her scrap book notes that she loved every minute of the journey! Within a year both of her grand uncles passed away, G.R. and W.C Harding.

On September 3, 1939 her scrap book notes that Great Britain had declared war on Germany. Both Yvonne and her mother became very involved with supporting the war effort. On October 13, 1939 Yvonne danced the Snow Dance at a party held in aid of the Comforts Fund. In 1940 her Uncle Eric Docker published his second book and dedicated it to his brother-in-law Lionel (Yvonne's dad). In May of that year Yvonne went to Sydney on the "Flying Boat" to visit relatives for two months, returning home on the Douglas plane. Yvonne played in her first tennis match on November 25, 1940 (13 years old at the time), St Aidan's won 41 games to 36. One month later her Uncle Arundell took her on a motor tour to Sydney and back, a distance of 1848 kilometers (1094 miles), camping out at night along the way.

During early 1941 Yvonne was attending school, going to parties and helping out the war effort with the Red Cross; she even had the chance to visit the U.S. Fleet when it came into the Port of Brisbane in March. Her uncle Ralph (Lionel's youngest brother) and grandmother, Mrs. Harding-Wilson, took her to see the squadron of U.S. Navy ships, which consisted of two cruisers and five destroyers. Afterwards they went to One Tree Hill where they met Rear Admiral John H. Newton (in command of the squadron), Commodore Spencer Louis and Captain Bowman, all of whom autographed her two American flags (which her family still has). Two days her family got an up close look at the USS Chicago and the USS Portland just before the fleet departed. Yvonne was very active in school activities and sports; going on her first hike in July of 1941, being chosen as captain of the netball team on August 23 and later as captain of the tennis team.

On September 30, 1941 Yvonne was confirmed by Archbishop Wand at St. Thomas Church of England, Toowong. A few days later she had a gangrenous appendix removed, which resulted in her celebrating her fourteenth birthday while still in the hospital! An entry into her scrap book notes that on December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. The effects of the war were felt by her family. Fifteen days later her uncle Arundell, as acting Company Sergeant-Major, answered the call up of garrison reservists. On February 15, 1942 her scrap book notes that Yvonne's dad had an air raid shelter dug in their back yard in casethe whole sum of past by-passed charge. (HCOB 19 Aug 63) of a bombing attack by the "Japs". By this time her mother, a nurse, had become very active with the Red Cross and as co-founder of the First Aide Papier Mache Auxiliary. Due to many shortages this group created many useful articles out of papier mache and shipped them to hospitals in Great Britain. This group also sent many other items that were needed, in particular knitted baby clothes, some made from wool, and food. Yvonne's mother supervised a group of 35 workers at the first-aid postA position from which a terminal operates in an org, where one knows that somebody is at. (FO 2200) at Sherwood State School as well as a similar number at the Comforts Fund.

By January of 1944 Yvonne, now over 16 years old, was a student at the University of Queensland, eventually enrolling in the Brisbane Kindergarten Training College; a branch of the University. On March 31, 1945, Yvonne's dad retired, due to health reasons, from the bank2. a colloquial name for the reactive mind. This is what the procedures of Scn are devoted to disposing of, for it is only a burden to an individual and he is much better off without it. (Scn AD)...more after twenty-five years of service. Around Christmas time of that year Yvonne and her sister spent some time at the Docker's (Lionel's brother-in-law) home in Cremorne. By this time Yvonne was becoming more and more independent, attending many social events. She was on the committee that put on the St.Aidans' Old Girls dance in June of 1946, where over 200 guest were expected to attend. She was also on the committee that put on the Kindergarten Students' Ball in August of 1946.

The highlight of 1947 was the United Service Club Ball that was held in August. Even though the United Service Club had just moved into the prestigious Montpelier building, this venue was not large enough to hold their annual ball. It was held at the Cloudland Ballroom, which in its time was the best ballroom in the Southern Hemisphere. The list of dignitaries that attended this event were long, which included; Governor-General (Mr. McKell) and his wife, Governor (Sir John) Lavarack and Lady Lavarack, Rear-Admiral G.E. Creasy R.N., Rear-Admiral H.B. Farncomb R.A.N. and many other officers of the armed services. In all about two thousand dancers attended this event! Yvonne was one of twenty three debutantes who attended this ball. All of these high society events were more than what Yvonne's mother was accustomed to. She developed envy and jealousy which was taken out on Yvonne when she returned home after being out on dates or events. Yvonne's mother was fastidious with her house keeping; guest's fingerprints were wiped off of the furniture before anyone had even left the room! So after Yvonne's outings her mom would require her to dust and clean the house before she was allowed to go to bed.

During college, Yvonne was captain of the women's tennis team. In December of 1947 Yvonne was one of fifteen students who graduated form the Brisbane Kindergarten Training College. Her report card consisted of mostly B's and C's along with this note - "Yvonne has a happy friendly disposition which endears her to children and adults. She shows a deep and sympathetic interest in the children and is alert to their individual needs. She is resourceful in her efforts to make their environment attractive and she enters happily into play with the children".

Director of Ashgrove Kindergarten, Yvonne Harding-Wilson 1950

After graduation Yvonne went to work at the Ashgrove Kindergarten class, about 5.4 kilometers (3.4 miles) from her home, eventually becoming its' co-director around her twenty-first birthday. It was around this time that Yvonne started writing a kindergarten feature for the Sunday Mail of Brisbane. In all, Yvonne wrote on and off for a period of eleven years; the family still has copies of over three hundred of her children stories.

On her twenty-first birthday Yvonne's parents threw her a little dinner party at their home. Afterwards she was asked to go for a walk with a friend up at the Toowong Progress Hall, where she found fifty of her friends all set with a surprise birthday party and dance in her honor! That same year Yvonne was at a party where she was the winner of a party game. The game consisted of all participants, in their turn, pulling a letter out of a hatA hat therefore designates particular status and duties in an organization. (HCO PL 22 Sept 70)...more and within sixty seconds reciting off as many words as possible that started with that letter. Many new words were created that night, but Yvonne was the clear winner with a record score of forty-five words! In November of 1948 Yvonne attended her first horde race and later attended the Melbourne Cup, which included for the first time a photo finish. Yvonne was always in the newspapers and was always immaculately dressed, as noted in the articles.

Yvonne's uncle W.H. Harding-Wilson (Lionel's oldest brother) passed away in September of 1949. Two months later Yvonne was captivated by the songs of "Show Boat" while on vacation with the Dockers in Cremorne. In November of 1949 Yvonne took her Ashgrove kindergarten class to the Petrie Terrace police barracks where, for two hours, the police treated the children to a picnic. The next month Yvonne held the annual Christmas tree event at her kindergarten, where up to sixty children were to attend. In 1950 three of people that she was closest to passed away; Yvonne's aunt Ethel (Lionel's sister) in March, her dad on April 21 and then her grandmother Ada (Lionel's mother) in October. Despite this tragedy in her life she kept on with her social activities; teaching, attending parties and tennis matches. Two of her cousins were Australian Tennis Champions! During this time period Yvonne was very active in setting up events which included; in 1951, a tennis event where Yvonne first met her future husband, Peter F. Gillham. Peter was a chartered accountant with a job at R.G. Groom and Company.

Yvonne's mother was not too keen on Peter, refusing Yvonne from seeing him. One day Peter called her home to ask Yvonne out to which Yvonne replied that she couldn't. When Peter asked what was up Yvonne would not answer, at which point her mother grabbed the phone and told Peter to never come over again. Enraged, Peter jumped into his car, drove over to their home and knocked on the door. He kept banging and banging on the door until Yvonne's mother finally opened the door, pulled Peter inside and locked the door. Peter was bewildered by this action until he spied Yvonne, through a window, walking back from the store. Now here was Peter locked inside with Yvonne's mom and Yvonne locked out of the house! Peter pushed her mom aside, unbolted the door, went out, grabbed Yvonne and they both jumped into Peter's car and drove off. For a while Yvonne stayed at the kindergarten, then she moved in with Peter's mother until Yvonne's mother came to her senses. She realized that the two of them were going to get married with or without her permission and to save face sanctioned the marriage.

In September of 1951 the wedding announcement was made at a party that Mrs. G.F Thompson threw in Toowong for their tennis friends. This was to be just one of the many parties thrown for Yvonne leading up to her wedding. After three years of being the director of the Ashgrove Kindergarten, in December of that year Yvonne resigned due to her upcoming wedding. In January of 1952 Yvonne's mom threw her a trousseau party at their home. Finally, on January 19, 1952 Yvonne and Peter were united in happy matrimony at St. Thomas' Church of England, Toowong. Later that year Yvonne considered modeling, even posing for some modeling pictures (see gallery below). The next year the happy couple welcomed their first child, Peter Jr., in March.

Picture Gallery - The Early Years

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  Photo of one of the gold plates that Judge G.R. Harding made for the Princes' visit in 1881.

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  Ada & Lionel Harding-Wilson

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  USUnited States. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). flag #1 that Yvonne had signed when she was 13.

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  USUnited States. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). flag #2 that Yvonne had signed when she was 13.

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  The new home of the United Service Club in 1947.

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  The United Service Club Ball was held here in 1947.

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  Yvonne visiting the horse races for the first time, November 1948

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  Peter & Yvonne Gillham’s Wedding 1952

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  Yvonne's wedding picture, January 1952

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  Yvonne's modeling picture, early 1952

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  Yvonne's modeling picture, early 1952

Involvement with Scientology in Australia (1954 to 1965)

In 1954 the Gillham family was living happily in Brisbane with Peter still working for R.G. Groom & Company (located in the T&G building at the corner of Albert and Queen Streets, Brisbane). Early that year Yvonne was given the book Dianetics by her friend Margaret, who had been Yvonne's assistant director at the Ashgrove Kindergarten. Yvonne was very excited about Dianetics1. DIA (Greek) through, NOUS (Greek) mind, deals with a system of mental image pictures in relation to psychic (spiritual) trauma. The mental image pictures are believed on the basis of personal revelation to be comprising mental activity created and formed by the spirit, and not by the body or brain. (BPL 24 Sept 73 V) 2. Dn addresses the body. Thus Dn is used to knock out and erase illnesses, unwanted sensations, misemotion, somatics, pain, etc. Dn came before Scn. It disposed of body illness and the difficulties a thetan was having with his body. (HCOB 22 Apr 69)...more but Peter remained uninterested until Margaret showed up at their home and insisted on going over the book with him. Peter came around and with Yvonne they formed a group of people who practiced Dianetics1. DIA (Greek) through, NOUS (Greek) mind, deals with a system of mental image pictures in relation to psychic (spiritual) trauma. The mental image pictures are believed on the basis of personal revelation to be comprising mental activity created and formed by the spirit, and not by the body or brain. (BPL 24 Sept 73 V) 2. Dn addresses the body. Thus Dn is used to knock out and erase illnesses, unwanted sensations, misemotion, somatics, pain, etc. Dn came before Scn. It disposed of body illness and the difficulties a thetan was having with his body. (HCOB 22 Apr 69)...more in the evening at their home. By August of that year Peter wrote to L. Ron Hubbard asking where he could get more training in the subject. Hubbard was in Arizona at the time, having created a corporation, on May 19, 1954, called the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976).), which was a professional organization of auditors. In November of that year the Gillham family welcomed a daughter, Terri, to the family.

By 1955 auditor1. one who listens and computes; a Scn practitioner. 2. one who has been trained in the technology of Scn. An auditor applies standard technology to preclears. 3. a person who through church training becomes skilled in the successful application of Dn and Scn to his family, friends and the public to achieve the ability gained as stated on the Gradation Chart for his class of training...more training had been set up in Sydney and Melbourne. In January of that year the Gillham family moved to Sydney where they could further their studies in Scientology. They stayed with Yvonne's uncle Eric for six months; Mr. Docker being seventy three years old during this time. The team of Yvonne and Peter were part of a prominent group of Scientologist's who opened course rooms and began delivering auditingThe application of Scientology processes and procedures to someone by a trained auditor. (Dianetics & Scientology Technical Dictionary (C) 1975) to the general public from one of their offices on Bathhurst Street. However, by June of that year Peter, who had been having difficulty making enough income to support the family, answered an advertisement for an accountant position in Euroa and moved the family there. Peter took over the clients of a firm of one accountant who operated in Shepparton. In Euroa Peter started giving lectures on Scientology and would advertise in the local paper. His first week of doing this eight people showed up and by the end of the week there was only one person left (that one person remains today as a friend of the family and has, as of 2012, two children still in the Sea OrgAbbreviation for Sea Organization. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976).). In May of 1956 the Gillhams welcomed another daughter, Janis. By June of that year Peter had bought out the accountant in Shepparton and owned the business himself. Peter was very active in the community; for example in July of 1956 he was teaching the basic steps of Judo to the boys of the Euroa Youth Club. Towards the end of that year the Euroa Free Kindergarten had lost its director but were very happy when Yvonne volunteered to fill that position after the first of the year in 1957.

Late 1958 saw the family moving once again, after adopting out three cats that the family had raised. The family moved to Melbourne where Peter started working for Hills Hoist, whose accounting was six months in arrears. When the Gillhams arrived in Melbourne, Wally Burgess, who was working for HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). Melbourne at the time, came out to the car to greet them. This organization was registered in Victoria as a foreign company and had practiced and applied Scientology at its location at 157 and 159 Spring street, Melbourne, since about 1957. On December 13 & 14, 1958 the HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). conducted a Clearing Congress complete with six hours of color films by L. Ron Hubbard and held at the Public Lecture Theater of the University of Melbourne; Yvonne helped with this event. In two months Peter had caught up all the accounting of Hills Hoist, all without staying for any overtime, and by mid 1959 had their books in such good order that there wasn't enough work to keep him busy. Peter opened his own accounting firm, in an office on Collins Street, in the financial district of Melbourne. By this time Yvonne and Peter's Scientology franchise was up and running well, it was named The Melbourne College of Personnel Efficiency. In fact at one lecture Peter had too many people that he had to assign some of the attendees to Yvonne. She hated standing up in front of people and would rather sit around a coffee table with cups of tea to disseminate. This was to be her first time to lecture in front of people, so up she stood and down she promptly went. Yvonne had fainted and Peter had to be called in to bring her back around!

By November of 1959 Yvonne and Peter had their wish for further training come true in a big way. L. Ron Hubbard (LRHL. Ron Hubbard) came to Melbourne and delivered six lectures at the Melbourne Congress on November 7 and 8. He then delivered thirty two lectures from November 9 to November 30 at the 1st Melbourne Advanced Clinical Course. The next year the family took a vacation to Brisbane in their Holden. On the way back from Brisbane they stopped in to see uncle Eric for a few days. One of his favorite things was his rose garden in the front yard, he had several neat rows of roses. While there Eric tried teaching the children the game of billards. He took to handing out money to them like it was nothing, which Yvonne felt was too much. She had her children give part of the money back to her and then she would sneak it back into Eric's drawer! During this time period both Yvonne and Peter were very active in their community. Yvonne had partnered with Mrs. Roger Meadmore in a new wedding planning service. In June of 1961 the Gillhams operated their Scientology franchise, now known as the Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency, out of an imposing house at 39 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn. The home had a garage as well as stables in the back, the Gillhams had three bedrooms, a game room and a living room. The house also had two huge rooms for the mission class rooms and reception. The owner of the house, a little old lady, had two rooms and a living room for herself. The house used to be a toll house and a place for travelers to stay during the days of horse and carriages. The family now had Snowy the budgie, a turtle as well as some guinea pigs.

In May of 1962 Peter closed his accounting office so that both he and Yvonne could travel to England for the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course (SHSBC).

Yvonne and Peter with L. Ron Hubbard in 1962

Hubbard had purchased the Saint Hill Manor in 1959, which then became the headquarters for Scientology. He created the SHSBCSaint Hill Special Briefing Course. A complete study of all the auditing materials and lectures up to the OT levels. Certification is a "Class VI" auditor. in March of 1961, which at the time was the pinnacle of training in Scientology. Daughters Terri (7 years old) and Janis (6 years old) stayed at Peters parents (Frank and Jean Gillham)home. While in Brisbane the family did stop by Yvonne's mother's house for a visit. Peter, Yvonne and Peter Jr. (9 years old) went to England, where both Peter and Yvonne spent six months doing the SHSBCSaint Hill Special Briefing Course. A complete study of all the auditing materials and lectures up to the OT levels. Certification is a "Class VI" auditor.. Noel Barton ran their Scientology franchise when they left for England. During the summer of 1962 Frank Gillham (Peter's dad) fell ill and had to be hospitalized. Terri and Janis stayed for a few weeks with Yvonne's sister and then with Peter's older brother. Frank Gillham passed away in August of 1962 while Peter and Yvonne were still in England. The girls then returned to the care of their grandmother Jean Gillham.

Very near the end of 1962 the Gillhams returned from England and Peter started up a new accounting practice in Melbourne. On December 31, 1962 Eric Docker passed away, leaving an inheritance to Yvonne and Peter. In April of 1963 the Gillhams used part of the inheritance to purchase their first house at 33 Kingsley Street, Camberwell. The family wanted Peter Jr. to be in the Camberwell school system when he entered high school (7th grade). Part of the inheritance included the furniture, gold plates and silver serving ware that used to belong to Judge Harding; these family heirlooms became part of the Gillham household. They still had the Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency, even running ads in the Age. Peter got a second car and let Yvonne have their white Simca for use in and around the city. One time Yvonne was in a hurry to get the children to swimming practice, so to avoid rush hour traffic she took the back streets. However that route just happened to include a big ditch right in the middle of the road, which Yvonne ended up in. As the car had no seat belts, Yvonne hit the steering wheel with her head, cracking the plastic on the steering wheel and giving her a huge black eye, while the children in the back seat all hit the roof with their heads. Peter had to hire a tow truck to get the car out of the ditch. During this time Yvonne was very active in the mother/daughter swim races at the Olympic Women's Swim Club while Peter was involved in the men's Olympic Swim Team. In every father and son swim race that the club put on, Peter and Peter Jr. always won; as a team they were unbeatable! . Now that the family had their own home the children were allowed to have a dog, in addition to the cat, Tibbsy, that they had already adopted. However the first dog, Midget (an Australian Terrier), hated the children and only liked Yvonne! One day the side gate had been left open and when Midget made her escape none of children minded at all. Yvonne ran ads looking for Midget to no avail, however someone called and had found Herbie (a Scottish Terrier) with no one claiming him, so Herbie became their new pet. Yvonne made Terri and Janis's play clothes and also taught them how to sew on her sewing machine and to knit. Unfortunately for the family, Yvonne's culinary skills needed some improvement. Food was usually burnt, including toast, and she was one for experimenting and adding things not called for in recipes.

By the end of 1963 dark clouds were beginning to form over Scientology in Australia. The medical profession, in particular the Mental Health Authority, was taking a dim view of Scientology; so much so that an Order in Council created a Board of Inquiry into Scientology on November 27, 1963. The board convened on December 6, 1963 at the Flemington Court House, Flemington, Australia and after certain formalities took place the board reconvened at HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). Melbourne on Spring Street where the contents of thirty five filing cabinets were tendered in evidence. The records were left at the HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976)., with the understanding that they would be produced when needed. The next year the inquiry really got down to business, it reconvened on February 17, 1964 in the National Herbarium, Birdwood Avenue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Yvonne and Peter testified before this board of inquiry, often ending up getting themselves in the news and on TV. Rosemary Stevens worked for the Gillhams as their full time secretary/receptionist and averaged only four pounds per week; on March 13, 1964 her mother testified before the board that her daughters reserves were quickly being depleted due to the low wages.

In May of 1964 Yvonne's mother won the award from the Red Cross and embarked on a five month around the world trip; at one time, near the end of June, spending two weeks with a couple in DeKalb, Illinois. One day Yvonne was walking past a pet store and spied a Cocker Spaniel puppy looking at her. His eyes told her to buy him so she did, without letting anyone else know. She told everyone that Herbie needed a friend, even though the two of them, Herbie and Cuddles, didn't get along! Meanwhile the inquiry dragged on and on. Initially the Scientologists welcomed this investigation, but as time wore on it was evident that the results would not be favorable to them and on November 30, 1964 they formally withdrew from participating in the inquiry. The board had come to HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). and witnessed several auditingThe application of Scientology processes and procedures to someone by a trained auditor. (Dianetics & Scientology Technical Dictionary (C) 1975) sessions, listened to tapes by Hubbard, confessional folders were read, and a thorough investigation of the financial affairs of the Scientology organizations in Victoria had been done. The board of inquiry recorded in detail the income of the Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency all the way back to 1958. The negative publicity created a substantial curtailment of Scientology; staff were let go and the Academy of Scientology at 2 Coates Lane, Melbourne was closed. Peter and Yvonne moved their College to 235 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn on December 12, 1964. In school the Gillham children were ostracized for being Scientologists, their friends parents telling their children not to play with the Gillhams. Yvonne set up the 8-80 club, with monthly gatherings at different peoples home, in order to keep the group going. Ads were placed as late as February 1965 for the Gillhams Scientology franchise, in order to keep Scientology active.

The final sitting of the Board of Inquiry was held on April 21, 1965. In all; 151 witnesses had been interviewed (100 pro Scientology), 8,920 pages of transcripts had been recorded over the 160 days that the board had been active. On September 28, 1965 the board submitted the Anderson Report, which contained 173 foolscap pages along with 19 appendices, to the Victorian legislature. The report stated that Scientology was evil and without any worth while redeeming features. By that time it was evident that things were going to get ugly for the Scientology community in Victoria, as Victorian Premier Sir Henry Bolte had publicly announced that the Government was duty bound to act on the Board's recommendations. Yvonne kept Peter Jr. and Janis while Peter Sr. and Terri took E-meters to Adelaide for safe keeping. In late fall of 1965 Pam Pearce, HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). Melbourne, had Yvonne declared (kicked out of Scientology). Yvonne was accused of ripping off public (and thus income) from HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976).; the "whyThat basic outness found which will lead to a recovery of stats. (HCO PL 13 Oct 70 II)" for their down statsAbbreviation for statistics. A number or amount compared to an earlier number or amount of the same thing. Statistics refer to the quantity of work done or the value of it in money. (HCO PL 16 Dec 65)! The way things worked was the franchises would get new people into Scientology, give them basic services and then send them on to the HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). for advanced services. The team of Yvonne and Peter, both SHSBCSaint Hill Special Briefing Course. A complete study of all the auditing materials and lectures up to the OT levels. Certification is a "Class VI" auditor. graduates, had created such a wonderful environment at their Scientology franchise that their public wanted to stay with them. The HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976)., during that time period, is remembered as being dark, dingy, dirty and an unfriendly place to be at. It got to a point where even the public of HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). wanted to go to the Gillhams franchise for their services. Having been declared, Yvonne could no longer runUndergo processing. (Science of Survival, p.75) their Scientology franchise, none of her public or friends could talk to her, she had to move out of her home and have nothing do with her children and husband! She didn't even have any family in Melbourne, they all lived in Brisbane. The declare destroyed her life as her life was not but Scientology. Yes, Yvonne was the whyThat basic outness found which will lead to a recovery of stats. (HCO PL 13 Oct 70 II) for HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976).'s statsAbbreviation for statistics. A number or amount compared to an earlier number or amount of the same thing. Statistics refer to the quantity of work done or the value of it in money. (HCO PL 16 Dec 65) down trending and there was no changing of the declare forthcoming from them. The only recourse was to go to Scientology headquarters in England to have the declare rescinded. Yvonne left her children and husband and headed off to England! Terri's birthday in November of that year was celebrated without her mother.

Picture Gallery - Scientology in Australia

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  The Euroa Kindergarten building (now a historical building), at 7 McGuiness Street, Euroa, Victoria

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  The Euroa Kindergarten building (now a historical building), at 7 McGuiness Street, Euroa, Victoria

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  The historical sign, in front of the old kindergarten building, Euroa, Victoria

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  Melbourne HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). in the 50’s

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  Front cover of the 1958 Melbourne Clearing Congress pamphlet

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  Backside of the 1958 Melbourne Clearing Congress pamphlet

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  Peter & Yvonne and children in 1960

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  Peter and Yvonne at the home of Peter's parents in December of 1961

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  The Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency, picture taken in 2002

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  The Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency, 39 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn

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  Scientologists with the Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency, 1962

Involvement with Scientology in England (1965 to 1967)

During her trip to England Yvonne stopped over in Hong Kong where she bought some gifts for her children; little transistor radios and Chinese pajamas. While Yvonne was in England getting her declare lifted the situation for Scientology in Victoria was going from bad to worse! The Victorian legislature passed the Psychological Practices Act, 1965 on December 22, 1965. The new law made it a criminal offense to practice Scientology. Less than thirty minutes of the law becoming effect HSAI Melbourne was raided by the police. When they arrived they found two five-gallon dustbins, with files being burnt, behind the building as well as a file having been passed through a side window into a waiting car. In all, about four thousand documents were seized, and HASIAbbreviation for Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. (Modern Management Technology Defined (C) 1976). was ordered to cease and desist the practice of Scientology. Peter and the children attended a huge BBQ, where all the PC1. a person who, through Scientology processing, is finding out more about himself and life. (The Phoenix Lectures, p. 20) 2. a spiritual being who is now on the road to becoming Clear, hence preclear. (HCOB 5 Apr 69) 3. one who is discovering things about himself and who is becoming clearer. (HCO PL 21 Aug 63) folders were at the bottom, and everyone hung out partying until the last folder had been burnt! One person even buried their PC1. a person who, through Scientology processing, is finding out more about himself and life. (The Phoenix Lectures, p. 20) 2. a spiritual being who is now on the road to becoming Clear, hence preclear. (HCOB 5 Apr 69) 3. one who is discovering things about himself and who is becoming clearer. (HCO PL 21 Aug 63) folder in the compost pile in their backyard. Peter built a false bottom in a rented station wagon and loaded camping gear on top of it to hide the e-meters that he smuggled out of the state to Adelaide. That Christmas was one without Yvonne at home. The children had to stay at various people's homes while Peter worked, Cuddles was runUndergo processing. (Science of Survival, p.75) over and passed away. During this time Yvonne would send reel to reel tapes with messages to her family as well as letters. Phone calls from Yvonne, even if they were staying with another family (for example when they were staying at Bill and Bette Bundles for a week), were met with many tears on the children's part; they missed their mother so much. Police would actually show up at Peter's home to check and make sure that no Scientology was being practiced!

Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R), in England, was going through a tremendous boom in production and Yvonne was recruited to be on staff. This helped Yvonne support herself while her family was still in Australia. At this point Yvonne and Peter decided that everyone should move to England. In March of 1966 Ron Budgeon returned to Melbourne from England with a slide show of pictures, made by LRHL. Ron Hubbard, that promoted coming to Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R). With promises to the children of trampolines, swimming clubs etc plans for moving were put in place. In England Yvonne went about coordinating everything so that not only her children but other families could easily arrive at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R). For the next two months Peter did everything that he could so that his children could rejoin their mother in England. All of the judge's furniture that Yvonne had inherited from her uncle Eric had to be crated up, Peter had to find guardians who would accompany the children, who also had to wrap up everything of their lives in Australia. Peter needed to borrow the money required for the ship fare and had to take time off of work to arrange passage and all the other details necessary for a six week ship ride to England. Peter's mother came down, from Brisbane, and stayed with the family so that she could care for the children and spend time with them before they left. Finally at the end of May 1966, with guardians David and Peppie Kent, the children left; Peter Jr. was thirteen, Terri eleven and Janis had just turned ten.

The ship "Fairsky" pulled into Southampton, England on July 4, 1966 where Yvonne was to be waiting for them. With nearly 1,500 people disembarking it took a long time to get off of the ship just to wait in another lineThe military type of organization form whereby there is a definite ascending and descending chain of command. Orders pass from top management down the line of command and compliances and data pass on up without by-passing the chain of command. (Modern Management Defined (c) L. Ron Hubbard, 1976) to get through immigration. Their cargo had been unloaded during the night and was waiting for them at customs. Finally, after going into the crowd of all the other screaming and hugging family members, the children had expected to see their mother. Yvonne had meant to be there before they got through customs but a flat tire, during their 148 kilometer (93 miles) trip from Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R), caused them to be late. The newly arrived party sat, with their luggage, atop of the shipping containers and waited. All of the other passengers had left by the time Yvonne opened the door to the big warehouse to find her children. Everyone piled into Roz Vosper's car and headed back home; Yvonne having made arrangements for the cargo to be delivered the next day. Yvonne had been staying with Roz and Cerril Vosper while she had been in England, but due to her children arriving had arranged for a room at a boarding house owned by Cal and Val Wigney. The Gillhams had the front room of the boarding home, also the largest. It was big enough for a large bed for Yvonne, Terri and Janis, with a roll away bed for Peter Jr. The next day the children got to see Yvonne's newly purchased car, bought with what little money she had saved up from working at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R). It was a big black car with doors that opened backwards and had to be hand cranked to start in cold weather. Yvonne introduced her children to everyone, even to a man known as Haskell Cook, who had a cute little red sports car. When the twelve crates of cargo arrived all of those items moved in with them, stacked wherever there was room! Eventually a young Danish man finished his courses at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R) and left, freeing up a closet, just large enough for Peter Jr's bed, at the top of the stairs.

The Gillham family settled into life at 27 St. James's Road, the children making friends with all the kids on the street and in the boarding house. Yvonne and Phoebe Maurer's postA position from which a terminal operates in an org, where one knows that somebody is at. (FO 2200) consisted of running the Mission/Franchise network in the Monkey Room at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R). The room got its name because of the monkeys that Sir Winston Churchill's grandson had painted on the walls. Plastic covered the walls to protect the paintings. Yvonne's youngest daughter, Janis, created a job for herself in bringing her mom and Phoebe coffee from the canteen every day after school. Around mid July Yvonne loaded her children up and along with several hundred people, in vans and buses, all went to the Heathrow Airport to welcome the arrival of LRHL. Ron Hubbard, just in from Rhodesia. Yvonne's children quickly became close friends with LRHL. Ron Hubbard's children, partly because Peter Jr. had gotten to know them when he was there in 1962 with his parents and also because all the children had become pen pals through the years. That summer Yvonne went Clear3. a Clear is not an all-knowing being. A Clear is somebody who has lost the mass, energy, space and time connected with the thing called mind . ( SH Spec 80, 6609C08) ...more, Clear #43, doing her solo auditingIn solo auditing the auditor is also the pc. (BTB 12 Dec 71 IV) (most of the time in her car) while her children were horse back riding, swimming or in other activities.

Meanwhile in Australia, Peter Sr. was busy wrapping up his business affairs, the selling of their home and helping his fellow Scientologists arrange their moving to England. Finally, on November 12, 1966, the day before his birthday, Peter Sr. arrived in England. While he was happy to see his children he was still miserable. Yvonne, having been gone so long from her husband, took stock of her life and came away with a different perspective, that and she had met Haskell Cook; so when Peter arrived Yvonne told him that she wanted a divorce. One of Peters first moves was to arrange for a place for everyone to live at 6 Hammerhead Road, Ashurst Wood and see to it that the family had good transportation, a blue Morris 1100. Everyone moved into the rented house, Peter Sr. had the master room upstairs, Peter Jr. had his own room, Terri and Janis shared a room, and Yvonne along with her boyfriend, Haskell, lived downstairs in the guest room. Haskell was of Mexican decent, rather wild and crazy and seemingly without a care in the world. He would love to pound on any piano or guitar that he could get his hands on. Peter got a job at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R) and also picked up some accounting and management work for a wealthy Texas man, Elmo Troop. Elmo had a company in England, "Troop Rowlands Property Investments", and one of their properties was the Apsley Arms; a pub and inn in Dormansland. The family adopted a cat named Tigger who was, later on, joined by another named Elsa. The children were enrolled onto a children's Dianetic's class, which kept them busy on the weekends and when not attending the local school.

Involvement with the Sea Organization (1967 to 1978)

On November 22, 1967 LRHL. Ron Hubbard incorporated the Hubbard Explorational Company Ltd (HEC). It's purpose was to explore the explore oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and waters, lands and buildings in any part of the world and to seek for, survey, examine and test properties of all kinds. The company bought a fifty-foot ketch named the Enchanter to serve the purpose of the new company. That November there was a notice posted on the reception notice board at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R) for volunteers for a special Scientology project. The requirements were; you needed nautical experience, a passport; you needed to be a SHSBCSaint Hill Special Briefing Course. A complete study of all the auditing materials and lectures up to the OT levels. Certification is a "Class VI" auditor. graduate and clear as well as a staff member with proven upstats''Short for upstatistic;'' The current number is more than it was. (HCO PL 16 Dec 65). All of these requirements Yvonne met easily, thus she became one of the charter members of this project. The members would meet in the basement of Saint hill and practice such things as knot tying or go off to a sailing boat that LRHL. Ron Hubbard had and practice seamanship drills. This was the beginnings of what later became known as the Sea Organization. This went on to around March of 1967. Meanwhile many families from Australia were showing up at Saint HillThe name of LRH's home in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. (BTB 12 Apr 72R); in all, around one hundred families were assisted by Yvonne and Peter in their relocation to England as a result of the ban of Scientology in Victoria. Christmas in 1967 was strained and, unknown to the children at the time, it would be the last Christmas they ever got to spend with their mother!

Shortly after the purchase of the Enchanter the HEC bought an old rusty North Sea trawler named the Avon River. In March of 1968 Yvonne was in Hull where the Avon River was moored; having left before her son's birthday, the third week of that same month. Others that arrived after Yvonne described the Avon River as listing about 10 degrees, rusted, battered and pushed to her limits by her previous owners. As the Avon River was a fishing boat the decks were covered in about two inches of solid petrified fish oil, all of which had to be scraped off. The crew worked long hours during the daylight hours getting the boat ready for use and at night they worked on the seamanship check sheets, hitting their bunks late at night totally exhausted. While doing the docking drills the novice crew snapped mooring lines and rammed the ship up against the concrete dock. On April 3, 1967 John Lawrence, a director of the HEC, published a hatA hat therefore designates particular status and duties in an organization. (HCO PL 22 Sept 70)...more write up of the duties of the captain of a ship. In that issue he directed the captain of the Avon River to take responsibility to get the ship away to its destination.

Finally in April the Avon River left Hull for Las Palmas where the Enchanter was already being refitted for use as a Sea Project ship.

References

• On November 28, 1930 Lionel Harding-Wilson started a family scrap book for Yvonne. A great deal of information about her early life was gathered from this family heirloom.