Melbourne arts philanthropists died in Otways suicide pact

An elderly couple who regularly donated to the NGV, Victorian Opera and the Melbourne Recital Centre ended their lives in a tragic suicide pact in the state’s southwest.

The couple's bodies were found on an isolated track near Wreck Beach on the Otway Ranges.

An elderly couple found on an isolated track in the state’s southwest died in a tragic pact, police believe.

The bodies of Bart Wissink, 78, and his partner Kaye Salisbury, 74, were located with gunshot wounds by a passer-by at Gellibrand Lower last Friday.

They were on a walking track near Wreck Beach.

The Herald Sun understands there are indications the pair had agreed to take their lives at the same time.

It is understood the gun used in the double tragedy was a licensed firearm that belonged to the deceased.

Mr Wissink is believed to have come to Australia from South Africa decades ago.

The pair’s bodies were found on an isolated track in Gellibrand Lower. Picture: Alan Barber

Police last weekend said they were residents of the Surf Coast.

Two separate cars were found at the walking track near where the bodies were discovered, indicating it was possible the couple travelled separately to the location.

It is understood Mr Wissink spent his time divided between his Buckley property and a house the couple owned in the inner Melbourne suburb of Windsor, where Ms Salisbury was based.

The pair have been described as “very simple and plain” people.

Scott Worland, who sheared sheep for Mr Wissink for about five years, said he was soft-spoken and well-mannered.

“He was the most gentle and kind hearted person, he never spoke ill of anyone,” Mr Worland said.

Alpaca farmer Ron Condon, who lives on the same Buckley road as the couple, said Mr Wissink was “quiet”.

“I’ve been out here for seven years and we pass them down the road, we pass each other and wave at each other,” he said.

The Buckley couple were located with gunshot wounds by a passerby. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Condon, who is on 100 acres (40ha), said the double fatality had become the subject of much speculation in nearby Winchelsea.

“It is quite sad, something has gone astray somehow,” he said.

“I look at the property and it has been ploughed, it has pasture growing as if they were preparing to do what they normally would.

“It has been very sad to hear, and it is very strange. Especially when they are living on your street.”

Doug McKenzie, the assistant manager of Hewitt and Whitty Winchelsea, said Mr Wissink kept to himself.

“I’ve been here 17-and-a-half years and he came in often,” he said.

“He was very quiet and not outspoken.

Mr Wissink and Ms Salisbury have been described as ‘very simple and plain people’ following their tragic deaths.

Mr Wissink and Ms Salisbury were notable donors to the arts in Melbourne and Geelong, making a range of contributions in recent years to groups such as the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Victorian Opera and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

They also made several donations to groups in regional Victoria, such as the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the Geelong Chamber Music Society, RSL Care and the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS).

It is believed Mr Wissink may have been involved in neighbourhood conflict in recent times.

A planning permit application was lodged for Mr Wissink’s property in Buckley on June 19.

The application listed the reason for the permit as plans to comply for other buildings and works valued at $10,000.

Mr Wissink, a retired mechanical engineer, was passionate about energy.

In 2020, he spoke at an Inquiry into Nuclear Prohibition, and dubbed wind farm proposals “nonsense”.

In his submission, he wrote: “The question is not, should we have nuclear power generation but, can we afford not too (sic)? The answer: No.”

Several years ago, he also appeared to make a submission to a planning application for the Inverleigh Wind and Solar Farm.

He detailed his opinions in two letters to the editor in The Weekly Times, including some pros and cons of offshore turbines and the impact of noise and on birdlife.

A Victoria Police statement issued last Friday said police were not treating either death as suspicious.

Investigators will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Originally published as Melbourne arts philanthropists died in Otways suicide pact