Sorrento holiday home of late Formula One boss Ron Walker sold against his final will and testament
A Sorrento getaway owned by the late Aussie Grand Prix boss Ron Walker has been sold for a massive sum, despite his final will and testament asking his family to never put the home up for sale.
The family of the late former Lord Mayor of Melbourne Ron Walker has sold his one-time Sorrento clifftop getaway for about $15m, despite his will asking them not to.
Walker was a prolific Australian businessman, known for being 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.
He was also Melbourne’s Lord Mayor from 1974 to 1976.
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In 2018, the Herald Sun reported details of Walker’s will, revealing an impressive $8m in Victorian real estate assets at the time, including his grand Toorak mansion, which fetched more than $60m in 2023, and a cherished beachfront retreat in Sorrento.
“It is my fervent wish the (Sorrento) property is not sold and remains available to my family for future generations,” the will stated.
The six-bedroom house ‘Laguna’ at 9 Kildrummie Court was initially listed with $14.75m-$15.95m price hopes with title documents confirming Walker’s ownership.
However, Kay & Burton Portsea executive director Gowan Stubbings said when Walker passed away about five years ago, the family concluded that they no longer needed or wanted to hold onto the Mornington Peninsula 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,” Mr Stubbings said.
While he declined to share who purchased the residence, the agent said they were happy buyers.
Mr Stubbings said clifftop homes in the Mornington Peninsula rarely were listed for sale.
“Ron Walker has always had a knack and an eye for really good real estate and this was that,” he said.
“I think the great attraction for that property was not only where it was, the house was sited on the block beautifully and … it had a really clever floor plan.”
CoreLogic records show Walker purchased the abode for $331,000 in April 1983.
The property has an inclinator providing direct access to the beach, also accessible via a timber walkway.
There are a number of living areas with adjoining terraces, as well as consistent features throughout the abode like white walls, wide oak floorboards and full-height windows bringing the outside in.
sarah.petty@news.com.au
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Originally published as Sorrento holiday home of late Formula One boss Ron Walker sold against his final will and testament