Behind the doors of No. 26 Balaclava Rd., Balaclava, on the face of it an ordinary suburban home in a garden setting - the cult of scientology still flourishes.
Only now it shelters under the umbrella of religion.
Less than five years after scientology was branded illegal in Victoria under the Psychological Practices Act, propaganda leaflets are plastered all over the walls of the house in Balaclava.
Books written by Hubbard, the founder, are on view on the Registrar's Office - along with "success stories" of those who claim they have become new people since taking the path of the cult.
Latest get-together was last Sunday when the Church of Scientology of California in Victoria assembled under the guise of an "Ability Congress."
Although billed as a church event there were no prayers or hymns.
About 60 people - mostly middle-aged men and women - paid $2 to listen to two tape-recorded lectures by Hubbard and one "live" from attractive, mini-skirted Judy Tampion who calls herself "the Rev."
Above their heads was a silver sign proclaiming "Welcome."
Another one in red screamed: "Scientology Works."
In front of them there was an illuminated portrait of Hubbard.
First speaker was the cult's Victorian president, Mr Ian Tampion, in a dark suit and clerical collar. He also uses the prefix "the Rev."
Around his neck hung a large silver cross.
He spoke for half an hour on "What We Are Doing And Can Do About Existing Conditions."
It was all very chummy.
On his lapel - like other staff members - he wore a little disc on which was written: "Hello, my name is ..."
In his talks Mr Tampion posed the question: "What is the Ideal Scene?"
He saw the world being split into various "games."
Those who wanted "to play at war," he said, could have a special part of the planet to do so. The same with those who wanted to "play at strikes".
"I don't care what games people play," he said. "It can be cops and robbers, husbands and wives or fathers and mothers - as long as they are doing it by choice."
Before a break for tea and biscuits in the garden, Victoria's Hubbard fans listened to the voice of their idol for 1½ hours delivering a lecture recorded seven years ago.
After tea came Judy Tampion's lecture on "Ability" followed by another 90-minute tape-recorded helping of Hubbard.
By this time two pig-tailed schoolgirls who came with their father were looking bored and the tiny son of a staff member was rolling restlessly on the floor.
Before they left, the audience was urged to "pack your bags" and go to Adelaide for next month's three-day congress.
[photo] THE HOUSE where the scientologists met.