Confidential settlement reached in bitter legal stoush over Noel’s Caravans founder’s millions reached after Supreme Court action

A dispute over a late caravan mogul’s millions has been resolved after a bitter legal fight in the Supreme Court.

A bitter legal dispute over late caravan mogul Noel Faggotter’s millions has been quietly resolved, with a confidential settlement agreement reached and an “unconscionable” marriage voided.

Noel’s Caravans founder Mr Faggotter’s daughters Naomi Joy Porter and Torie Lee-Anne Cooper in August launched Supreme Court action against their father and his wife Rosemary Anne Dunn, seeking a declaration the couple’s marriage on July 25 this year be voided.

A bitter legal stoush over late caravan mogul Noel Faggotter’s fortune and an “unconscionable” marriage has been resolved, with a confidential settlement reached. Picture: Supplied

Ms Porter and Ms Cooper claimed Ms Dunn had engaged in “unconscionable conduct” by marrying their terminally ill father, who died in September after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last March, because he had lost capacity to consent to the marriage.

The Supreme Court voided Mr Faggotter’s marriage to Rosemary Anne Dunn after a confidential settlement was reached. Picture: Supplied

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis on Wednesday declared the marriage void after all parties reached a settlement – the details of which are confidential.

Before his death, Mr Faggotter estimated his fortune amassed as South Australia’s most well-known caravan dealer, was worth about $10m.

In a statement to the Sunday Mail, Ms Porter and Ms Cooper said they were “thrilled that the parties have been able to reach a settlement on all issues”.

“Dad left behind a legacy that he was passionate about, building a family business that also became a South Australian icon – Noel’s Caravans,” they said.

“We will continue with the family business we have been involved with for over 30 years and together we look forward to honouring his legacy and celebrating 50 years in business in 2024.”

Last month Mr Faggotter’s love life was laid bare in court documents, with his daughter’s claiming the caravan mogul was in relationships with “several” other women while seeing his would-be wife in a bid to have their father’s marriage voided.

Ms Porter and Ms Cooper alleged their father, 72, had no intention of remarrying or being in an “exclusive” relationship despite Ms Dunn previously saying she and Mr Faggotter were together for about eight years.

“Noel was engaged in relationships with several women other than Rose during the period from 2018 to early 2022,” Ms Porter and Ms Cooper said in a reply to Ms Dunn’s defence lodged in the Supreme Court.

Ms Porter (right) and Ms Cooper (middle) said they were “thrilled” a settlement had been reached. Picture: Supplied

Ms Porter and Ms Cooper alleged their father had nominated the start date of his relationship with Ms Dunn, 74, as mid-2021 – at least six months before he stopped seeing “women other than Rose” – when he executed a will.

“ … Noel was incapable of providing real consent to marriage as he did not understand the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony,” Ms Porter and Ms Cooper said in their statement of claim.

Ms Porter and Ms Cooper, who Mr Faggotter appointed directors of Noel’s Caravans after his diagnosis, will continue to run the iconic business.

“We have been running the business for the last decade, together with long term staff, while dad enjoyed his semi-retirement,” they said.

Ms Dunn has declined to comment on the legal action or settlement.