Stunning Bellarine vineyard estate eyed by Christian College Geelong hits the market

A historic vineyard estate on the Bellarine Peninsula — eyed off by a wealthy Geelong Christian school in 2022 — has hit the market. It comes after a leadership crisis at the school last year.

The heritage Suma Park Estate, complete with cricket pitch, that has hit the market after Christian College failed to acquire it. Picture: Supplied

Christian College Geelong appears to have quietly stepped away from plans to acquire a multimillion-dollar historic vineyard estate with bay views on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The stately property, with a rich racing history that includes 1876 Melbourne Cup winner Briseis and possibly Phar Lap, is now being advertised for sale through Elders and RT Edgar.

It’s understood Christian College — that has substantial investments but is a registered charity — is not the vendor, after it failed to acquire at least a portion of the property as hoped.

The stately Suma Park estate has breathtaking coastal and rural views. Picture: Supplied

It is also home to an established cool climate vineyard. Picture: Supplied

Sources confirmed to the Herald Sun in 2022 the college was in the process of acquiring some of Suma Park Estate near Point Lonsdale from a family with links to the school.

It is not known why the planned acquisition did not come to fruition.

Christian College — with more than 2200 students and 500 staff members — currently has five campuses, two kindergartens and also owns an arts complex near Geelong called Villa Paloma and a 365 hectare working farm in Scotsburn near Ballarat, among other investments.

With a historic homestead, self-contained luxury cottages, established vineyard and even its own cricket pitch and train station, Suma Park has expansive grounds and breathtaking coastal and rural views.

The Suma Park for sale sign. Picture: Supplied

The distinctive Victorian villa was built in the 1880s. Picture: Supplied

Formerly known as Frankfurt on Sea, the distinctive late Victorian villa was built in the 1880s for prominent stud breeder and horse racing entrepreneur James Wilson. ​

In 1876 Wilson’s horse Briseis won the Melbourne Cup and he commissioned a stained glass feature window depicting the head of the horse.

Originally installed in his Camberwell home, the last remaining part of the window containing the horse head was later installed in the door to the former smoking room at Suma Park.

The landmark Suma Park Estate at Marcus Hill also features a stable complex for 24 racehorses, that is rumoured to have once ‘hidden’ Phar Lap, prior to his racing in Geelong.

The stunning property currently specialises in weddings, functions and corporate events, and the Herald Sun understands the homestead and land immediately surrounding it is worth upwards of $11.5m, while an adjoining parcel of vacant farm land on a separate title could be put on the market for upwards of $2.5m.

The property has sweeping views over Swan Bay and Port Phillip Bay. Picture: Supplied

Suma Park even has its own steam train station, that is still in use. Picture: Supplied

Christian College Geelong — which charges $5,510 a year in fees for a single prep student, $15,961 for Year 9 and $18,247 for Year 12 plus additional fees for bus services and music lessons — was last year rocked by a leadership crisis, with key staff on leave amid multiple allegations of bullying and harassment.

In July 2023, it was reported its then principal Glen McKeeman was on leave while his wife Pam McKeeman faced bullying claims.

Ms McKeeman was formerly deputy head of the junior school.

The Christian College website now lists Rick Geall as the college’s overall acting principal and Ann-Marree Weigl as head of its junior school.

Neither Mr or Ms McKeeman are named on the school’s website in leadership positions this year.

In November 2021 the school also made headlines when it was reported it had received taxpayer JobKeeper funds of $6.7m, while posting a $3m profit and owning total assets of more than $90m.

And in 2009 the school’s current chief executive officer and committed Christian Daryl Riddle came under fire after his brother, convicted pedophile Gary John Riddle, attended a teenage debutante ball at which young girls were seated near his table.