Basil Sellers House
Timeout in Moruya - Basil Sellers House, originally Sanctuary Lodge, was opened in 1992 in fanfare by Nick Farr-Jones (Rugby) and Jeanine Treharne (Yachting) as a respite facility for elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
Constructed over a three year period, located in Moruya on the NSW south coast, envisioned, designed and developed by Dr Mark Tronson the Australian Cricket Team chaplain from 1984, who introduced chaplaincy to the AIS in 1987.
This 10 acre allotment was close to the beach along with rainforest walks, and proved an ideal location for athlete respite based on an Austrian model, Taurnerhof in which elite winter sports athletes found solace under the ministry of Gernot Kunzelman, a winter ski champion.
With the bell minors (bellbirds) singing from sun-up to sun-down throughout this ironbark forest, it provided an ideal respite pleasure experience. The Eurobodalla Shire Council provided every support and encouragement.
This vintage short video we utilised to show visitors, and then at men's breakfasts and dinners and youth groups on our Country Town Tours. Dean Davis Productions produced it (Dean was the Brisbane Lyons Chaplain at that time).
Timeout in Moruya – Basil Sellers House video
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at