Campbell Point House owner Meg Blackhall says ‘truth will play out’ after ugly weekend wedding fracas
The owner of a top-end Leopold manor has commented on the police investigation into an ugly incident following a wedding at the luxury property at the weekend.
Geelong
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The owner of an up-market Leopold wedding venue made a public statement on Monday as police continued to investigate claims from the weekend’s heated fracas at the property.
Campbell Point House owner Meg Blackhall issued the written comment after police and an ambulance were called to the exclusive venue Sunday morning.
“We reject the allegations made through the media over the last day. The matter is with the police and our legal team, and the truth will play out through the proper legal channels,” she said.
“We remain committed to providing the best experience for our guests and that is our focus.”
Ms Blackhall is the owner of Campbell Point House, and also lists herself online as its marketing director.
Her partner, Aaron Parkhill, was overseeing a prepaid wedding at the venue at the weekend, with about 40 people staying there from Friday to Sunday, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars.
But the function ended dramatically as patrons were leaving Sunday morning.
Mobile phone video footage showed a man — not Mr Parkhill — straddling the bonnet of a Mercedes van as it was being driven from the venue, and slamming his fist into its windscreen, smashing it.
It’s understood the vehicle was carrying the parents of the bride and groom, while the man was not part of the wedding gathering.
The Geelong Advertiser has been told tensions between Mr Parkhill and his patrons escalated across the weekend. Mr Parkhill declined to comment when phoned by the Geelong Advertiser on Sunday, but his wife provided her written comment on Monday.
A member of the bridal party told the Geelong Advertiser his unease at Mr Parkhill’s conduct prompted him to phone police as guests tried to leave on Sunday.
“From the second we arrived, it was clear that things were not right,” the man said.
“In the end my main concern was that the married couple had a good time, and we got out of there.”
Police did not arrest anyone and have released a statement calling for witnesses to provide information to Crime Stoppers.
“Police are investigating following reports of a dispute at a Matthews Rd reception centre in Leopold,” the police statement said.
“It is believed a man attempted to stop a vehicle and jumped onto the bonnet before falling from the vehicle about 11.30am. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and no one has been arrested.”
Originally published as Campbell Point House owner Meg Blackhall says ‘truth will play out’ after ugly weekend wedding fracas