Thursday 16 August 2012

Saturn's Rings

One of the more unusual constructions built in Campbelltown is the Universal Power House or Saturn's Rings perched high on a hill in the suburb of Eschol Park. Saturn's Rings was built by a Polish immigrant from Ingleburn named Stefan Dzwonnik. Construction began around 1979 and continued for some years after that. At the time the building was regarded as one of the most spectacular in New South Wales with a limitless, panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

So what was the purpose of this unique building? Stefan Dzwonnik had plans for it to be the mecca for a world-wide movement directed toward a better life on Earth. It was intended to become the home of him and his family; and the "power house" of his proposed Universal Power World Society.

The unique design of the house was based on the rings of the planet Saturn and comprised three concentric units. The largest on the top level was to provide living quarters for the family. The two lower levels were for the society.

Dzwonnik wrote a book around the time of construction called "The Universal Life Challenge". It discussed the Universal Power philosophy and outlined the aims and objectives of the society such as engaging in cultural and sporting activities and promotion of truth, love and peace.

Saturn's Rings was never completed.  When its frame used to be visible on the skyline, people would contemplate what is was, often mistaking it for a casino! It still sits on the hill at Eschol Park now virtually obliterated from public view by trees.  My research leads me to believe that Stefan Dzwonnik moved from the area and is now living on the Far South Coast of New South Wales.
The Universal Power House or Saturn's Rings still under construction in November 1985. (Richard Lawrance Collection. Campbelltown City Library)


Update

Stefan Dzwonnik died in 2018
 


Written by Andrew Allen

56 comments:

  1. Thanks for the article on Mt Universe. On my daily trips up Badgally Road to St Gregory's College, I used to always wonder what it was and if anyone lived in it.

    I take it there's no other photos with the dark/tinted ceiling to floor glass windows??

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  2. Thank you for your comments. It certainly is a fascinating story. No, unfortunately there are no photographs that we have or that I know of of the glass windows.

    Andrew

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    1. I have a full 360 aerial video of the house from few days ago. Wasn’t sure what it was, now I know.

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  3. thank you!
    we drove by today and saw the sign and also wondered what it was

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  4. Do you know if you allowed there to see

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  5. I believe the building is on private property Amanda. Not sure who the current owner is sorry. Andrew

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  6. Andrew, did you go to Woodland Rd Public School?

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  7. No I didn't. Only been in Campbelltown for the last 10 years.

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  8. Can you find out if anyone lives there?

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  9. Not sure about this Komi.Leave it with me and I'll see what I can find out.

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  10. Yes, I would like to know more about this property also. Thanks Tina

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  11. Yes, I would like to know more about this property also. Thanks Tina

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  12. I was an appreciate carpentry at the time and saw this house first hand already abandoned in what I believe was 1975/1977 and I used to go and look at it on occasions for about 6 years my boss told me the tax department got him and thats why construction stopped.

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    1. So construction started in 1979 but yet you see it already abandoned in 1975-1977. How is that possible you clever little thing?

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  13. I also saw the house with the glass fitted years later (from a distance) and remember commenting that they used flat glass and it looked wrong as I was told it was originally designed to have curved glass

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  15. Hi did you find out if anyone lives there I was walking past just the other day and seen a guy in a white car go into the gate

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  16. Hi Amanda, I'm in the process of trying to organize a visit to the site. There is someone I know that should know who owns it. Watch this space.

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  17. Hi Andrew thanks I'll keep an eye on here for updates
    Cheers

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  18. Ooh, I'd like to join that visit if it eventuates.
    My son is at St Greg's and I've finally googled it as we always wonder what's up there behind those big majestic gates 🤔

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  19. Hey Andrew any luck with organising that visit?
    I have walked up the mountain today and just before the house there is another gate, definitely looks like someone lives there at least 3 cars were parked there.

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    1. Thanks Stan. I haven't got around to it but I need to soon as we have another project that involves accessing it. Will keep you updated. Andrew

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  21. from Daily Telegraph, May 29 2017. Article on Art Exhibition. The artists mention: “We were delighted to make contact with the Dzwonniks to get a private view of the house, which we can assure you has been fully completed, and is very impressive.’’
    Pretty much says who owns it, and it's impressive. But I'm sure we all would love to see pic's of the completed design!

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  22. Andrew, That would be awesome if we can see what the interior look like. i know that Stefan's son works in the strata industry in sydney so he should be easily contactable.

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  23. Hey there, I got in contact with Sonia the artist from the dally telegraph she said she will try to connect me with Anna Dzwonnik but so far with no luck. I am a local film maker, and want to make a short film about it, maybe we can all share our emails and have a small mailing list with interested parties? My email is stan@edway.com.au

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  24. HI Stan and everyone else,
    I have read this blog and I am also very interested in turning up to the round house!!
    I will email you Stan so that I can be added to the list for when a tour date is organised.
    Regards, Amanda

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  25. I’m still interested if anyone has anymore info

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  26. I went up there around 1990 to do some air condition work, I remember a family living their and they had a number of large German Shepherds, the house looked amazing and even then the family was doing work on the Gardens, they seem to be a lovely family

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  27. I always drive past it every day. Is it still private property. Ps can I join the tour :D

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  28. Sorry Andrew you're wrong mate the building has been there since the 1960's and laid dormant for more than 20 years....I personally visited the site with my brother and a friend in 1978, and the concrete rings were in a state of decay from exposure.....

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  29. Thanks for letting me know Dave. Every source that I checked didn't mention it built as early as this. Having not been in the area at this time, I'll take your personal experience on board.

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  30. I have a full 360 aerial video of the house from few days ago. Wasn’t sure what it was, now I know.

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    1. Could you give the Macarthur Chronicle a call? 8832 1670. Thanks.

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    2. Thank you for this. Interesting to see it from this view.

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  31. Found this on a facebook site.

    https://imgur.com/a/CDJ9rJU

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  32. My mates and I use to play up there alot in the 80s,we called it the casino. Got chased off a few times by farmer with shot gun. Did a lady fall from the structure. At some concert claymore put on.?

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  33. Thanks for this info. Haven't heard about the lady falling. Perhaps someone else has heard of this.

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  34. I’ve actually always wondered what this place was ! I recently done a lot of research about it and I would love to actually see it , is it illegal if we climb up the mountain to take a look ?

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  35. Unfortunately you would be trespassing Jamie as it is on private property. Myself and many others would like a look but the owners must be respected.

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    1. do you know what the owners are planning to do with it ? It would be great if they could show the public its so beautiful

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  36. The property is privately owned Jamie and there are no plans by the owners to open it up.

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  37. We lived in Eagle Vale for a short while in my youth from 1983-1985 and back then we could see the structures uninhibited from where we lived. There were no trees tall enough to hinder them from view in the early to mid 80s. I’d always wondered what they were or what they were supposed to be after completion. The neighbourhood kids used to tell us it was going to be a casino, I’d secretly hoped it was being built to welcome aliens or some other UFO related purpose (ET and Yoda were all the rage back then!!). Whenever we had family friends over, if there were kids they’d see the ring-like structures on the hill and be all fascinated. A few times a group of us kids trekked all the way up there making it to the top to explore the rings, knowing we were trespassing but excited at being there. Within the two years we lived in Eagle Vale I think I must’ve gone up that hill more than a handful of times. The last time a mate and I climbed up there we saw a man there standing at the edge of one of the rings looking out into the distance. He paid no attention to us but I could see he had a few bags and other bits and pieces lying around indicating he may’ve been squatting up there. My friend quickly signalled for us to leave and it wasn’t until we’d run down the hill that she said she’d seen amongst the man’s belongings a shotgun leaning against a wall. We moved to Melbourne shortly afterwards but I’d always wondered through the years about those weird, out of this world ring like structures on that green hill - What was the history behind their construction? Were they ever completed? And I also wondered about that mysterious man with a shotgun whom I’d seen my last time up there? Was he a felon evading the law? Was he merely a homeless transient needing a roof over his head to rough it out for a while? Or maybe he was our protector who kept vigilance over Eagle Vale for the hostile ETs and Yodas of this and other galaxies far, far away? I dunno?!! What I do know is it’s very good of you to post this information about a structure I curious about for years and years, and shedding some light on its builder and the philosophy behind their construction.

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    1. RE: Unknown15 October 2020 at 03:14
      Where is the hill located that this person described before running down from it after seeing the man with the shotgun?

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    2. The building referred to as Saturn's Rings sits high on top of a hill along Badgally Road, Eschol Park. I think they would have been running down the hill away from the structure.

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  38. Thank you for writing this! I found this so interesting to read. I can understand why you would be so fascinated by the structure. You have been intrigued about the man with the gun now too! Andrew

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  39. Hi fellow curious human beings, does anyone know what happened to Stefan? Is he still living? Did he persist with any aspect of his vision? How does one even proceed with living an ordinary life after setting out to change the world with such big plans?
    And thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread and added any information/insight into the history of this structure!

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  40. Hi Andrew and everyone interested. I too am keen to join the tour group.

    My group only was able to go upto the entrance and was met with a few guard dogs and two security personal

    We requested of we could see the place but they threatened to call the police.

    My misses actually is based in Campbelltown and we was planning to visit the place in the future so if we would be able to join the tour group that will be awesome.

    Kinds regards and stay safe

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    1. Unfortunately no access has been granted, so no tour group in the near future.
      regards, Andrew

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  41. Replies
    1. Thank you! It seems everyone is fascinated by this building!

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  42. I grew up in Claymore in the 80's.
    We used to travel up there on weekends.
    It was just the concrete ring structures.
    We were chased down the hill by a dog at one point.
    Never went back there.

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  43. Frightening! No wonder you didn't go back after that. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

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