Jacqueline Pascarl: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Australian author and television personality}}

'''Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie''', born '''Jacqueline Pascarl''', and formerly '''Jacqueline Gillespie''', is an Australian author, TV personality and parents' rights advocate and humanitarian aid worker. Pascarl came to public attention in 1992, when her children were covertly removed from [[Australia]], illegally under Australian law, by their [[Malaysia]]n father. The [[Parliament of Australia]] characterized this removal as an "abduction."<ref name="SenateRprt">{{cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.aph.gov.au/SEnate/committee/fadt_ctte/completed_inquiries/1996-99/consular/report/c09.htm#Heading12

{{Distinguish|Jacqueline Pascal}}

| title = Custody issues involving Australian children | work = Helping Australians Abroad A Review of the Australian Government's Consular Services | publisher = Parliament of Australia | accessdate = 2006-05-24}}</ref>

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

'''Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie''', (born 5 July 1963), formerly known as '''Jacqueline PascarlGillespie''', and formerly '''Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie''', is an Australian author, TV personality and [[Parents' rights movement|parents' rights advocate]] and humanitarian aid worker. Pascarl came to public attention in 1992, when her children were covertly removed from [[Australia]], illegally under Australian law, by their [[Malaysia]]nMalaysian father. One man was convicted, sentenced and then jailed as an accomplice. The [[Parliament of Australia]] characterizedcharacterised this removal as an "abduction."<ref name="SenateRprt">{{cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.aph.gov.au/SEnate/committee/fadt_ctte/completed_inquiries/1996-99/consular/report/c09.htm#Heading12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041223212047/http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/completed_inquiries/1996-99/consular/report/c09.htm#Heading12 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 23 December 2004 | title = Custody issues involving Australian children | work = Helping Australians Abroad A Review of the Australian Government's Consular Services | publisher = Parliament of Australia | accessdate = 24 May 2006 }}</ref>

== Biography ==

JacquelineShe was a young ballet dancer in 1980 when she met a [[Malaysian people|Malaysian]] Princeprince '''[[Raja Kamarul Bahrin|Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah''' Raja Ahmad]] who was in [[Melbourne]] studying [[architecture]]. They married in 1981, when she was 17, and moved to [[Terengganu]] state,the Malaysiafollowing in 1982year, where Raja Bahrin was a junior member of the royal[[Sultan familyof Terengganu|that sultanate]]. They had atwo daughter Shahirah, and a son, Mohammed Baharuddin, better known as Iddinchildren. Raja Bahrin later took [[Polygyny in Islam|a second wife,]] under [[Islamic marital jurisprudence|Islamic marital law]]. By this time, Jacqueline claims the [[domestic violence|marriage had turned violent]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} She returned to Australia in 1985 with their children to visit her sick Grandmothergrandmother, and never returned.

JacquelineThe and Raja Bahrincouple divorced in 1986. Bahrin signed over custody of their two children, an arrangement which was later ratified by the Federal [[Family Court of Australia]]. In 1990, she married TV journalist [[Iain Gillespie]]. They legally separated in the mid 1990's1990s and formally divorced in 2000. Ms Pascarl hasmarried two younger children with her new husband, Bill Crocaris. in Verity born 2001 and Lysander, born 20032002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18745213-952,00.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410044544/http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0%2C20797%2C18745213-952%2C00.html|url-status= dead|title=Reunited by secret email &#124; The Courier-Mail|archivedate=10 April 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/sons-arrival-completes-pascarl-reunion-20060823-gdo8l4.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115112854/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/08/23/1156012591440.html|url-status= dead|title=Son's arrival completes Pascarl reunion|date=23 August 2006|archivedate=15 January 2016|website=The coupleAge}}</ref> She and Crocaris have two children. They divorced in 2012. Pascarl is married to a dental surgeon and lives with their children in 2002Melbourne anwhere Anglicanshe servicecontinues atto St.run John'shumanitarian churchagency Operation Angel being active during the 2020 bushfire emergency and other war and natural disasters and remains active in [[Toorak]],her Melbournecommunity.<ref>http{{Cite web|url=https://wwwjnf.theageorg.au/jnforevervic/|title=VIC - JNForever with Zeddy Lawrence|first=Daniella|last=Wigdorowitz|date=8 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="thrive50plus.com">{{Cite web|url=https://thrive50plus.aucom/articles2022/200607/0818/23once-a-princess-now-an-earth-angel-jacqueline-pascarl/1156012591440|title=Once A Princess, Now An Earth Angel.html Jacqueline Pascarl &#124; Thrive50Plus Magazine|first=Jenni|last=Gilbert|date=17 July 2022|website=thrive50plus.com}}</ref>

== Career ==

A feature reporter for the [[Ten Network]] at the time of the abduction, JacquelinePascarl went on to research and produce several television documentary films, including the award -winning documentary, ''Empty Arms, Broken Hearts'', covering the topic of [[Child abduction#International Parentalchild Childabduction|international parental Abductionabduction of children]]. AsShe was the host of the television lifestyle show, ''House Hunt'', but she was to move farther afielddrawn into the area of [[child literacy]], leaving her television and radio career behind. She also became a notedan international lobbyist on the rights of the child, and an expert on Parentalparental Childchild Abductionabduction and the [[Hague Convention. She lectures internationally and advises the European Union on the multi-lateralCivil treaty,Aspects theof USInternational StateChild Department and represents Australia at world forums on similar issues. She also wrote a book, ''Once I was a Princess'' which details her experienceAbduction]].

JacquelinePascarl established '[[Operation Book Power']] in 1995, a child literacy project operating in [[Kenya]] and South Africa. In 1998, she was appointed Special Ambassador for the international development and aid agency, [[CARE International]] and worked as an emergency aid worker in the conflict zones of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Kosovo]] and [[East Timor]]. She was based in Europe, leaving Australia after citing privacy issues. She has garnered several humanitarian awards including commendations for [[child protection]] from the [[National CentreCenter for Missing and Exploited Children]] (USA) and the United Nations. She isfounded currently'''Operation aAngel''', consultantfounded with the aim of restoring dignity to women and children in war torn countries but now involved in disaster relief on a broader basis, recently the Australiandestructive Foreign[[Black OfficeSaturday bushfires]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://progress-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hawthorn-angels-spring-into-action-with-clothing-donations/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119000508/http://progress-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hawthorn-angels-spring-into-action-with-clothing-donations/|url-status=dead |title=Hawthorn angels spring into action with clothing donations|archivedate=19 January 2011}}</ref>

The group has recently organised to assist Queenslanders in January 2011 in [[2010–2011 Queensland floods|flood relief]].<ref>[http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=188788]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

She has written two memoirs, ''Once I was a Princess'' and ''Since I Was a Princess'' (2007). She lectures internationally and advises the [[European Union]] and the [[US State Department]] and represents Australia at world forums on child abduction issues. She is a consultant to the Australian [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]], and has recently been appointed as a Patron of CARE International in the United Kingdom.

== Paternal abduction ==

In 2009, Pascarl became a regular columnist for the [[Sunday Times Magazine]] in the UK and writes for ThePunch.com.au. She also produces documentary and television films through Creswick Creative. 2011 saw her appointment as ambassador to the 14th Dalai Lama in Australia, and her being awarded the Queensland Disaster Hero Medal 2011 for her work through Operation Angel during the [[2010–11 Queensland floods]] for which she raised and distributed over $5 million worth of material aid to Queenslanders in need. That same year she was awarded the [[Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saxton.com.au/jacqueline-pascarl |title=Jacqueline Pascarl – Speaker Profile – |publisher=Saxton Speakers Bureau }}</ref>

In 1992, Raja Bahrin came to Melbourne for a pre-arranged custody visit, at which point he failed to return the children as had been agreed. After some days of uncertainty of his and the children's whereabouts, Raja Bahrin surfaced with them back in Malaysia. Raja Bahrin appeared in an interview on television, but refused to reveal how he had managed to smuggle them out of the Australia, saying only it was the "will of Allah".

Appointed by the Australia Government, Pascarl served for several years as National Vice Chair of the Australian Defence Force Reserves, Defence Reserves Support Council, being the first woman to serve on the National Executive. She oversaw Army, Navy and Air Force. As well as sitting on several boards from ANVAM to the Governing Board of International Social Services in Geneva, Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rslvic.com.au/news/jacqueline-pascarl-volunteer/|title=Poppy Appeal Volunteer &#124; Returned & Services League Victorian Branch|date=16 October 2021|website=rslvic.com.au}}</ref>

Jacqueline Pascarl was issued with Letters Patent by the Governor General of Australia when she received the Order of Australia on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth in 2022. She is now styled Jacqueline Pascarl OAM. She is an Independent Director and Trustee of national charity, RSL Australia, the peak body representing Defence Force Veterans in Australia.<ref name="thrive50plus.com"/>

== Paternal abduction ==

It was later revealed, that with the help of an accomplice, '''Bryan Wickham''', he had taken them by car to Australia's far north, and by boat from the [[Cape York Peninsula]] to [[Merauke]], in the [[Indonesian]] province of [[Irian Jaya]]. From there he took them to Malaysia where the authorities retrospectively awarded him custody, and the children were then settled with their father in Terengganu. Wickham spent one year planning the abduction, arranging vehicles and a boat, studying the escape route.<ref>http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,20261325-661,00.html</ref> Wickham later served nine months in an Australian jail for his part. <ref>http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,20261325-661,00.html</ref>

In 1992, Raja Bahrin came to Melbourne for a pre-arranged custody visit, atafter which point he failed to return the children as had been agreed. After some days of uncertainty of his and the children's whereabouts, Raja Bahrin surfaced with them back in Malaysia. Raja BahrinHe appeared in an interview on television, but refused to revealsay how he had managed to smuggle them out of the Australia, saying only it was the "will of Allah".

Malaysia is not a party to the [[Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction]], and therefore the Convention could not be used to return the children to Australia. Signatories of the Convention recognize custody by the habitual residence of minor children.<ref name="SenateRprt"/>

It was later revealed, that with the help of an accomplice, '''Bryan Wickham''', he had taken them by car to [[Weipa]] in Australia's [[Far North Queensland|far north]], and by boat from the [[Cape York Peninsula]] to [[Merauke]], in the [[Indonesian]] province of [[Irian Jaya]]. From there he took them to Malaysia via [[Sulawesi]], where the authorities retrospectively awarded him custody, and the children were then settled with their father in Terengganu. Wickham spent one year planning the abduction, arranging vehicles and a boat, studying the escape route.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|title=Gillespie kidnapper tells all |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,20261325-661,00.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919151417/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C%2C20261325-661%2C00.html |archivedate=19 September 2006 }}</ref> Wickham later served nine months in an Australian jail for his part. <ref>http: name=autogenerated1 //www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0> Malaysia is not a party to the [[Hague Convention 1996|Hague Convention]], which recognises custody by the habitual residence of minor children,20261325-661,00 and so the Convention could not be used to return the children to Australia.html</ref name="SenateRprt"/>

Some controversy surrounded Jacqueline Pascarl soon after the abduction, as she successfully applied to the Australian Family Court to prevent the content of any interview with her children from appearing in the Australian media - the Courts deeming published interviews to be detrimental to the children and contrary to their future reintroduction into Australian society. [[The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd]] unsuccessfully appealed the decision.<ref name="CLR">{{cite web | title=BETWEEN: JACQUELINE JASMIN GILLESPIE APPLICANT AND RAJA KAMARUL BAHRIN RESPONDENT AND THE HERALD AND WEEKLY TIMES LTD INTERVENER No. ML8347 of 1985 Number of pages - 4 (1993) FLC 92 - 388 16 Fam LR 642 | work=Australasian Legal Information Institute | url = http://www.austlii.edu.au//cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/cases/cth/family_ct/unrep563.html?query=gillespie | accessdate=2006-05-31}}</ref> [[Ray Martin (television presenter)|Ray Martin]] of [[60 Minutes (Australian TV series)|''60 minutes'']] had travelled to Malaysia and interviewed the prince and his family there, and while footage of the children appeared on television, what was said by the children was not broadcast in Australia. Some criticism was levelled at Jacqueline Pascarl regarding how she, and her then husband, had dealt with the media,{{fact}} but she stated she felt justified in protecting the pyschological welfare of her kidnapped children.

Some controversy surrounded Jacqueline Pascarl soon after the abduction, as she successfully applied to the Australian Family Court to prevent the content of any interview with her children from appearing in the Australian media -, the Courts deeming published interviews to be detrimental to the children and contrary to their future reintroduction into Australian society. [[The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd]] unsuccessfully appealed the decision.<ref name="CLR">{{cite web AustLII|FamCA| title54|1993|litigants=BETWEEN:Gillespie JACQUELINEv JASMIN GILLESPIE APPLICANT AND RAJA KAMARUL BAHRIN RESPONDENT AND THE HERALD AND WEEKLY TIMES LTD INTERVENER No. ML8347 of 1985 Number of pages - 4Bahrin |parallelcite=(1993) [[Family Law Cases|FLC]] 92 -; 388 16 [[Family Law Reports|Fam LR]] 642 | workdate=Australasian7 LegalJune Information Institute1993 | url = http://www.austlii.edu.au//cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/cases/cth/family_ct/unrep563.html?query=gillespie | accessdatecourtname=2006-05-31auto}}.</ref> [[Ray Martin (television presenter)|Ray Martin]] of ''[[60 Minutes (Australian TV seriesprogram)|''60 minutesMinutes]]'']] had travelled to Malaysia and interviewed the prince and his family there, and while footage of the children appeared on television, what was said by the children was not broadcast in Australia. Some criticism was levelled at Jacqueline Pascarl regarding how she, and her then husband, had dealt with the media,{{fact}} but she stated she felt justified in protecting the pyschological welfare of her kidnapped children.

==Reunited==

JacquelineDespite the fact the Prince had softened his stance in recent years and stated that his children could see their mother sometime after they turned eighteen, Pascarl did not see her children again until 2006 when her twenty-year-old daughter Shahirah, (now known simply as Shah) thenvisited 20her years of age, returned toin Melbourne to visit her mother.<ref name="AgeApril52006">{{cite news | first=Ben | last=Doherty | author= | url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/04/05/1143916557535.html | title=Mother meets kidnapped daughter | work= | publisher=[[The Age]] | date=5 April 2006 | accessdate=31 May 2006-05-31 | ___location=Melbourne}}</ref> Shah is now living permanently with her mother and siblings in Australia. In August 2006, her son Iddin, now 23, returned to Australia to visit his mother after 14fourteen years of seperationseparation.."<ref name="Iddin">{{cite web | year = 2006news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/family-reunion-laced-with-drama/2006/08/22/1156012542801.html | title = A family reunion laced with drama | publisher = The Age | accessdate = 23 August 2006-08- | ___location=Melbourne | date=23 August 2006}}</ref> Upon the return of his wife's abducted daughter Shah in 2006, her husband Bill was the spokesperson for his wife to the media pack that had formed outside of their house.<ref name="AgeApril52006"/> Jacqueline is now in contact with her children most days.

== References==

<references />

==Bill CrocarisOther sources ==

*Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie, ''Once I was a Princess'' (Pan Macmillan, 1995) {{ISBN|0-7329-0815-9}}

Upon the return of his wife's abducted daughter Shah in 2006, her husband Bill was the spokesperson for his wife to the media pack that had formed outside of their house.<ref name="AgeApril52006"/>

*Jacqueline Pascarl, ''Since I was a Princess'' (Harper Collins, 2007) {{ISBN|978-0-7322-8322-3}}

==External links==

Crocaris has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Engineering Computers from LaTrobe University and was formerly Vice President and Sales and Marketing Director for Canadian Telecommunications firm, Nortel Networks. He also has qualifications in the field of Sustainable and Environmental Energy from Swinburne University. He is now a Property Developer and Builder.{{fact}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929020557/http://www.jacquelinepascarl.com.au/ Official site]

* [https://www.youtube.com/user/JacquelinePascarl Jacqueline Pascarl's homepage on YouTube]

* [http://jacquelinepascarl.blogspot.com/ Blog]

* [https://twitter.com/pascarl Twitter page]

{{Authority control}}

== References==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pascarl, Jacqueline}}

== Other sources ==

[[Category:1963 births]]

*Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie, ''Once I was a Princess''

[[Category:Australian people of Malaysian descent]]

[[Category:Australian memoirists]]

[[Category:Children's rights activists]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Nortel employees]]

[[Category:Writers from Melbourne]]

[[Category:Australian women memoirists]]