Michael Chamberlain
Encyclopedia
Michael Leigh Chamberlain (born 1944) is an Australia
n 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. The findings of a 1987 Royal Commission
ultimately exonerated the couple, but not before they were subjected to sensationalist reporting and intense public scrutiny.
Chamberlain currently resides in Cooranbong, New South Wales
with his second wife Ingrid.
, New Zealand
, the eldest son of Ivan and Greta Chamberlain. 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.
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. He subsequently studied at Avondale College
in Cooranbong and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
(Theology) degree in 1969. He married Lindy Murchison
the same year, after meeting her in 1968.
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). 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. The Chamberlain's third child, daughter Azaria, was born in Mount Isa on 11 June 1980.
, where Michael intended on fishing for barramundi
. 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. 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. 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.
Investigators observed paw prints on the floor of the tent and bloodstained clothing belonging to the child was later discovered amongst rocks near the base of Uluru. 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. 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
.
During her imprisonment in Darwin, Lindy gave birth to the Chamberlains' fourth child, Kahlia (born 17 November 1982). Two weeks later, Michael was awarded a Master of Arts
degree through Andrews University
. He later attributed his perseverance in studying for the degree during this difficult period as motivated by anger towards the Northern Territory government.
A 1987 Royal Commission examined the case against the Chamberlains and the science behind key forensic evidence was challenged. The following year, the NT Court of Appeal
quashed all convictions recorded against the Chamberlains.
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’. Also in 2002, he graduated from Avondale College with a Bachelor of Teaching degree, qualifying him to teach high school English and history.
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
. 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. Whilst living there, Chamberlain was twice assaulted by a man accusing him of murdering Azaria.
Chamberlain returned to Cooranbong in 2006 and taught at Gosford High School
until 2008, when he retired. He now is focusing on writing professionally, with two books underway.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n writer, retired teacher and former pastor, best known due to the 1980 disappearance of his daughter Azaria
Azaria Chamberlain disappearance
Azaria Chantel Loren Chamberlain was a nine-week-old Australian baby girl, who disappeared on the night of 17 August 1980 on a camping trip to Uluru with her family. Her body was never found. Her parents, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, reported that she had been taken from their tent by a dingo...
whilst camping near Uluru/Ayers Rock
Uluru
Uluru , also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park....
in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
. 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. The findings of a 1987 Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
ultimately exonerated the couple, but not before they were subjected to sensationalist reporting and intense public scrutiny.
Chamberlain currently resides in Cooranbong, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
with his second wife Ingrid.
Early life and pastoral career
Chamberlain was born in ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the eldest son of Ivan and Greta Chamberlain. His father served as a warrant officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, while his mother was involved with the administration of the Seventh-Day Adventist church in southern New Zealand.
Educated at Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School (New Zealand)
Lincoln High School is a multi-course, co-educational state secondary school in Lincoln, New Zealand. For fifty years it has served a large number of communities on the southern and western borders of Christchurch...
and Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School is a single sex state secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is situated on a 12 hectare site between the suburbs of Riccarton and Fendalton, 4 kilometres to the west of central Christchurch. The school also provides boarding facilities for 130 boys, in a...
, Chamberlain commenced studies at the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
but after converting to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1965, left and migrated to Australia. He subsequently studied at Avondale College
Avondale College
Avondale College of Higher Education is an Australian tertiary education provider affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Avondale College has two campuses, Lake Macquarie being the primary campus situated in Cooranbong, New South Wales...
in Cooranbong and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Theology) degree in 1969. He married Lindy Murchison
Lindy Chamberlain
Alice Lynne Chamberlain-Creighton was at the centre of one of Australia's most publicised murder trials, in which she was convicted of killing her baby daughter, Azaria. The conviction was later overturned.-Early life:...
the same year, after meeting her in 1968.
After graduating, Chamberlain worked as a Seventh-Day Adventist minister in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
where Lindy gave birth to two children - Aidan (born 2 October 1973) and Regan (born 16 April 1976). In 1977 the family moved to Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
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. The Chamberlain's third child, daughter Azaria, was born in Mount Isa on 11 June 1980.
Disappearance of Azaria
In August 1980, the Chamberlain family were to holiday in DarwinDarwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, where Michael intended on fishing for barramundi
Barramundi
The Barramundi , also known as Asian Seabass, is a species of catadromous fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. The native species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Persian Gulf, through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. Known in Thai...
. 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. 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. 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.
Investigators observed paw prints on the floor of the tent and bloodstained clothing belonging to the child was later discovered amongst rocks near the base of Uluru. An 1981 coronial inquest
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
into the death concluded that the baby had been taken by a dingo, however this finding was overturned by another inquest in 1982. 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
Suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
.
During her imprisonment in Darwin, Lindy gave birth to the Chamberlains' fourth child, Kahlia (born 17 November 1982). Two weeks later, Michael was awarded a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree through Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
. He later attributed his perseverance in studying for the degree during this difficult period as motivated by anger towards the Northern Territory government.
A 1987 Royal Commission examined the case against the Chamberlains and the science behind key forensic evidence was challenged. The following year, the NT Court of Appeal
Court of Appeal of the Northern Territory of Australia
The Court of Appeal of the Northern Territory of Australia is the name given to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory when it sits as the Territory's Court of Appeal....
quashed all convictions recorded against the Chamberlains.
Later life and teaching career
Following their exoneration, the Chamberlains' relationship deteriorated and they divorced in 1991. Three years later, Michael married Ingrid Bergner and in 1996 they had a daughter named Zahra.In 2002, Chamberlain was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(Education) degree by the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
for his thesis entitled ‘The changing role of Ellen White in Seventh-Day Adventism with reference to sociocultural standards at Avondale College’. Also in 2002, he graduated from Avondale College with a Bachelor of Teaching degree, qualifying him to teach high school English and history.
The following year, Chamberlain stood as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
candidate for the seat of Lake Macquarie
Electoral district of Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Hunter region of the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently represented by the independent Greg Piper.-Members for Lake Macquarie:-Election results:...
in the NSW parliamentary election
New South Wales state election, 2003
Elections to the 53rd Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 22 March 2003. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
, achieving a 5.2% swing against sitting member Jeff Hunter
Jeff Hunter (politician)
Jeffery Hunter is a retired Australian politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the electorate of Lake Macquarie in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 25 May 1991 until 24 March 2007...
. 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. Whilst living there, Chamberlain was twice assaulted by a man accusing him of murdering Azaria.
Chamberlain returned to Cooranbong in 2006 and taught at Gosford High School
Gosford High School
Gosford High School is a public, co-educational, academically selective high school located in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia with 1080 students from years 7 to 12....
until 2008, when he retired. He now is focusing on writing professionally, with two books underway.
External links
- The biography of Michael Chamberlain
- The biography of Azaria Chamberlain by the Australian National UniversityAustralian National UniversityThe Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
.