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EVERAL months before the 11th August, 1956, we had been preparing for the great day in our lives; the visit to Melbourne of our Teacher and Beloved, Meher Baba. We could hardly believe that such a wonderful experience would ever come.
Six homes had been offered for the accommodation of Baba and His mandali; the home of Dr. and Mrs. O'Brien of Camberwell had been selected as being the most central and convenient for all concerned. This beautiful home was lovingly prepared for the reception of Baba. August is an extremely cold month in Melbourne, but every detail had been arranged to have a warm temperature in all the houses.
Baba had specially requested that no publicity be given to His arrival in Melbourne. The plane was scheduled to arrive from Sydney at 6:30 p.m. at Essendon Airport. At the Airport had gathered the Melbourne group, their families and children. All were very excited as the time drew near for the arrival of the plane. It had seemed like a far-off dream; to really see Baba, whose books and discourses we had been reading and studying for many years; now the great moment had arrived.
Only through Francis Brabazon of Sydney, Baba's representative in Australia, had we heard of the personal contacts with Baba; then recently, Mrs. Clarice Adams and Miss Ena Lemmon of Melbourne had gone to India and had personal interviews. They had both brought back with them the full and loving feeling of their contact with Baba and His Circle. They gave to us such a picture of the Great Master whose teachings had come to be part of our lives, that we felt so much closer to Baba and those associated with Him. When it was known that Baba was to make a world tour it was suggested that He visit Australia on the return journey. Sydney first, then Melbourne. This was indeed a time for rejoicing when Baba accepted the invitation to visit our Southern land.
Over the loud speaker it was announced that the plane was ready to touch down. The great lights lit up the tarmac and the huge plane, an A.N.A. Skymaster, drew alongside the reception center, the gangway was placed alongside and we all watched eagerly as the passengers came down; then
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