The family of the late former Lord Mayor of Melbourne Ron Walker has sold his Sorrento clifftop home for a $15 million price, despite his final will and testament asking them not to.
Walker served as Melbourne’s Lord Mayor from 1974 to 1976, in addition to being a businessman, chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, commissioner for Melbourne’s 1996 Olympics bid to host the Games and chairman of Fairfax Media in the 2000s.
In 2018, the Herald Sun reported details of Walker’s will, revealing Victorian real estate assets, including his grand Toorak mansion and a beloved beachfront home in Sorrento.
“It is my fervent wish the (beach) property is not sold and remains available to my family for future generations,” his will states.
The property has an inclinator providing direct access to the beach, also accessible via a timber walkway, and inside boasts a number of living areas with adjoining terraces, as well as wide oak floorboards and full-height windows throughout.
However, executive director of Kay & Burton Portsea, Gowan Stubbings, said after Walker passed away five years ago, the family ultimately decided that they no longer needed or wanted to hold onto the property.
“The family have moved to different parts of Australia and it’s not getting its use, so it’s time for someone else to enjoy that beautiful property,” Stubbings said.
The six-bedroom Mornington Peninsula house was initially listed between $14.75 million to $15.95 million and the eventual buyers have remained anonymous.