Ah, the allure of the grand old homestead. It’s a siren song for many, the dream of rescuing a piece of history from decay and making it your own. But as “Restoration Australia” consistently reminds us, dreams often collide with the cold, hard reality of budgets, crumbling plaster, and unwelcome wildlife. This week, host Anthony Burke turns his architectural eye towards Blackburn, an imposing Georgian pile near Yass, NSW, and the ambitious couple attempting to tame it.
Edward, a former model now immersed in the equestrian world, and his partner Lee have taken on a three-story challenge. Blackburn isn’t just in need of a lick of paint; it requires a full-scale rescue mission from dust, critters, and the ravages of time. Their vision isn’t just to create a charming family home, but also a potentially income-generating property – a necessity, one suspects, given the likely astronomical costs associated with reviving such a significant building.
The show excels at documenting the tension between preservationist ideals and practical constraints. Edward and Lee’s project looks set to test their resolve, creativity, and almost certainly, their bank balance. How do you make a heritage-listed behemoth pay its own way without compromising its character? It’s the central question hanging over this restoration. Will their grand plans for Blackburn materialize, or will the sheer scale and expense prove overwhelming? It’s often a fine line between dream home and financial folly.
“Restoration Australia” airs Thursday, April 24, at 8:00 PM AEST on ABC and ABC iview.
