Darryl Smith admits it is ''very unusual'' - a former old boy sexually abused while at Campbell Park Special School now leading a campaign to buy the Waitaki Valley property back into New Zealand ownership.
He has set up the Campbell Park Old Boys Committee, which would eventually become a trust, to raise up to $50 million to buy the 231ha estate from the Campbell Park Corporation, whose sole shareholder and director is American Charles Tomkins, now living in Australia.
A pupil from 1974 to 1978 at Campbell Park, a boarding school for children with behavioural or learning difficulties, he described it as ''a very evil place''.
He was bullied and raped by other boys at the school.
''I have to admit it's very unusual for a child abused there to want to buy it,'' he told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
''But, I've been talking to people about it and they have said 'Why not'.''
Mr Smith tried contacting the owners of the property in an attempt to get information and discuss a possible sale, but had no response.
Mr Tomkin's son Nathan, who lives at and manages Campbell Park, did not return calls from the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
The property was on the market in 2008, when it had a capital rateable value of $3,3 million with the Waitaki District Council, through CBRE real estate agent Mike Beresford, but there was little interest.
Yesterday, Mr Beresford said Campbell Park was ''not officially on the market'', but inquiries could ''reignite interest''.
Mr Smith confirmed there had been no verbal offer from his committee in terms of the property.
The replacement value of Campbell Park had been estimated at $25 million, but up to $50 million could be needed to buy, improve and maintain it.
It would then be used as a residential refuge for adults with special needs, although some of the land and buildings, such as former staff homes, could be sold or leased.
Fundraising had just started, so when money was available it was planned to turn the committee into a charitable trust. Campbell Park was a boys' school from 1908 to 1988 when the Government sold it to Campbell Park Corporation.
Since then there had been a number of proposals for the property, including a school for American children.
It has a range of buildings, including a cave-house used by original owner William Dansey and the castle-like historic homestead later built by Robert Campbell.
Surrounding the homestead is a 200-seat restaurant complex, a 225-seat theatre and accommodation for up to 300 people.
There are six classrooms, a library, arts and crafts rooms and technology centre, a well-equipped sports centre with a covered swimming pool, modern indoor gymnasium, tennis courts and sports fields, extensive equestrian facilities and a 1500m grass airstrip.
The second part comprises 32 homes in a village setting, including 10 three-bedroom villas, five 1940s hardwood three-bedroom homes, four Oamaru stone three-bedroom homes, 13 brick three and four-bedroom homes, as well as a 230sq m clubhouse.
