IN LIGHT of the Australian screening of the four hour documentary `Leaving Neverland', featuring Australian dancer Wade Robson and James Safechuck on Channel 10 at 8.30 this Friday night, we thought it would be timely to take a look back at an article On With the Show's Shirley Broun, who stayed with the Robson family while in LA, published back in 1996. 

A young Wade Robson.

It brings to light the way people of all ages were captivated by Neverland and, indeed, the man who brought it to life ... one MICHAEL JACKSON.

A place of fun, fantasy, excitement and self indulgence ... it is little wonder so many - especially the young and young-at-heart - wanted to be among his close circle of friends.

The following account was written by Wade's grandmother Jean Cullen who found herself also under the super star's spell, so much so that she stayed up until the wee small hours to ensure she was able to get her amazing experience fully documented. 

Where dreams are real and reality is FANTASTIC!!!

A letter home from Neverland

On With the Show's

Flashback to 1996

World Exclusive by SHIRLEY BROUN

If all the people who knocked Michael Jackson could just see this place and the beautiful ... `no'... magnificent job he has done here, they would find a beautiful soul underneath.

Michael Jackson's Neverland - photographs weren't allowed but one visit left an indelible impression on Jean Cullen's heartfelt memory.

LIKE so many millions of people throughout the world, I've only ever read about or seen snippets on television of the wonderful, private world of Michael Jackson's Neverland.

It sounds like a real Fairytale where animals are treated equally to humans and children get a chance to live their childhood in real style ... and as a child, unlike Michael who always resented growing up too soon.

A place, where there is everything from theme parks to a zoo, video games to cinema. Where the best things in life from icecream and popcorn to the most beautiful gardens and scenery are free. It has always seemed a truly inspired environment which people like myself only dream about ever experiencing.

This is a world Michael Jackson created - a sensitive, all inspiring part of this incredible human being whose vision and commitment to sharing and helping people of all ages has been reflected in each and every piece of grass, building, attraction and animal which finds its way to the Neverland Valley `hide-away'.

This is a private side of Michael Jackson, a side that shows his character - his sensitivity, gentleness, generosity, caring nature, laughter, and eye for detail, which surround you at Neverland.

Michael can be himself at Neverland for photographs are not allowed. He has nothing to prove, just something to enjoy. Worlds could not do justice to what you will find at Neverland, according to Jean Cullen, an Aussie grandmother who has visited Neverland on four occasions.

Following is a letter (a personal account) straight from the heart that Jean wrote to her sister in Australia during her second visit to Michael's amazing home several years ago and published for the first time - a World Exclusive - in Variety Today, renowned as Australia's Premier Variety Entertainment Magazine. It is dated May 18 and reads:

"IF I told you how unreal I thought this place was last time, then I don't have enough vocabulary to begin what it is like now," Jean wrote.

"We arrived at 12.30 Monday lunchtime. The limo picked us up at 10am and is calling for us Wednesday night. Michael has made so many changes. The gardens alone make the trip here unbelievable.

"We are the only ones here with a staff of probably 30. Hugh (Jean's husband) and I took a golf buggy ride. It is like a little convertible car. Everything is so beautifully kept. We went to the theme park and what a park!!

The carousel is incredibly magnificent and huge. Michael chose each animal which included horses, giraffes, lion, cat, dragon, rabbit, sea lion and all beautifully sculptured. There are about four across and probably 10 rows of animals. About 40 altogether, and most have a beautiful quotation printed on the side. Quotes like: `The greatest wish you can make is to see others dreams come true' and countless other messages in the same vein.

"There was also the biggest ferris wheel imaginable. Also a slide, like a water slide but no water. You use mats. But it was a bit cold for that, it goes so high.

"Security guards were here for us to use and to help us in whatever we wanted to do. There are popcorn machines, peanuts and candies and chocolates by the mile, just set out like a real fair, just help yourself. Also hot dogs and icecream from a vendor on an old fashioned bicycle.

"The trees all have a myriad of fairy lights, blinking on and off and the paths are lit with 10 strips of lights in the paving. Pergolas are set about the grounds, completely set out in lights and even have chandeliers and telescopes and lounge chairs.

"At the theme park Michael has built a two storey cubby house, each floor has a room including a lounge, TV and telephone. The trees have the most beautiful little doll houses for the birds and each has piped bird calls to encourage the birds. Music is piped all around the grounds, usually from the great musicals like Carousel, Sound of Music, Showboat and three pigs, Pinnochio etc for the kids.

"We went to the zoo which has been enlarged," said Jean.

(Update 1996: These days the train goes right around the zoo and kids can lean out and pat the animals.)

"They are building this great house on the grounds and I asked one of the guards who it was for and he tells us Michael is getting an elephant (a gift from Elizabeth Taylor)."

(Update 1996: The elephant is living in this beautiful house)

"Each animal has a beautiful shelter and the yards are so clean. He has llamas, giraffes, one lion, zebras, and heaps of other animals including an ostrich and buffalo. We went to see the monkeys and couldn't leave. They were magnificent. They live in a mobile home. Michael's sound studio is there too. We had another feed at the snack bar there (done up like a picture theatre - lollies, chocolates, everything ... just help yourself - soda fountain, icecream. You'd have to see it to believe it.

"From there we went to the games room and Michael has installed some new machines and are they mind-boggling! It is a whole house with nothing else but two storeys of video games. Three of the video games are Michael Jackson, dancing and being chased etc. They are fabulous.

"Michael sets out to save a child on each machine and is chased by thugs which you have to shoot down and Michael dances to annihilate them. His songs Bad, Smooth Criminal and Billy Jean are on each machine. Fantastically done, of course. Only the best for Michael.

"He also has a new machine. It is a space capsule and you sit in it and it takes you into space. It revolves a few times and at the same time it turns upside down. I went in but Hugh wouldn't venture. A great experience!

"So we came back for dinner and explored the house. We are in the main house and what a suite we have. My daughter has the bedroom Elizabeth Taylor has when she is here, called the Rose Room. It is bigger than our whole unit back home in Australia and our bedroom is not much smaller. We have a shower, toilet, dressing room leading onto the bedroom. You can't describe the place. You should see the woodwork, ornaments, walls are lined with fabric like coarse linen. Our room is called the soldier room simply because there are hundreds of all kinds of military figures around the walls, and on the cupboards.

"Apparently, Gregory Peck stays in this room when visiting.

"The Rose Room has the most gorgeous white carpet surrounded by red roses, same goes for the comforter sets on the bed, all matching. Ours is red with gold emblems. We have a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers in our rooms, red tulips, jonquils, daisies and you name it. Also a basket of fresh fruit of every kind and snack packs of raisins, grape roll ups and dried fruits.

"Afterwards there was an enormous meal including strawberry cream cake made by the chef, who also made a pecan pie for lunch.

"We went back to the games room for an hour or so to work off our meal. When we came back to bed they were turned down and chocolates in the shape of Neverland Valley emblem (Peter Pan sitting on the moon) on each of our pillows and at the foot of the bed all these presents, wrapped in Neverland Valley wrapping paper.

"We each got a pen and pencil, pack of cards, watch, travelling alarm clock, T-shirt all bearing the Neverland Valley emblem. What a beautiful gesture!

"If all the people who knocked Michael Jackson could just see this place and the beautiful ... NO ... magnificent job he has done here, they would find a beautiful soul underneath.

"I could spend a week in the craft room where he has provided the most fabulous toys, books and entertainment hobbies. I just wish I could take photos because there is so much to see. I could go on and on but it has gone 2 o'clock in the morning.

"Although I am writing this at the desk in the corner of the room, I don't know how I can bear to be out of this bed, it is soooo soft. All the towels and linen are embroidered with gold on the emblem, even the soap is blue. I just wanted to get it down on paper while it is still fresh. PS: Even the toilet paper has little emblems on it.

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