Restoration Australia on TV at last 3 April 2025

Well, given that this is my blog, I can make up the "rules" as I go along

Normally I write up an entry after having been to Inglewood, or I might do an entry if a tradesperson has provided me with some good update photos

This is a little different - after 5 long years - our episode of Restoration Australia has finally been screened

And I've gone back over my blog to try and see how many times they came up - I've counted at least 13 times to see me in Inglewood at least once there without me, plus twice in Melbourne - ie at the State Library, and at home   

Basically Mark - the producer/photographer asked me to tell him whenever we were doing something interesting up there - and then they could decide if they wanted to come or not 

It all started in 2020 - with Mark first coming up in May  - yep covid (had to wear masks inside) times to meet me and start filming on the underpinning with Peter B - one of the highlights of the show

They came again in May   2020 - once the concrete was down, and I signed mine and Justin's name in it  

Then again in November 2020 for outside rendering - where they interviewed Dave - plasterer/renderer extraordinaire

I think the next time was in March 2021 - and that was the first time that Anthony the host came - with more camera men /sound guys etc. So there were of course the introductory questions, and I showed Anthony around, and they also got us to talk about ghosts in the (now) Music room - none of us were that thrilled /genuine in talking about that - so this section was rightly cut from the program  

Mark came back a few months later in June 2021 (remember it's still covid) and shot me working on my scaffolding in the dining room, scraping, filling, sanding etc 

Up on the scaffolding I could see just how many spiderwebs there were up there...

In October 2021 they filmed our reaction to seeing the new wallpaper in the dining room.  This was maybe a little bit underwhelming, as we knew perfectly well what it looked like, as Ron the wallpaperer had sent us photos of his progress - but he left the chimney breast "raw" so that they could film him doing it if they wanted  (they didn't)  

Our handy friend Chris also came up and we were filmed (multiple times) moving the dining room mantlepiece slate parts out to the back garden to sand/fill etc (this didn't make the cut either)

They also filmed us making our way through a rather overgrown garden path (remember we'd just been though a long lockdown, so it was jungle like), and squeezing through the front hallway, as heaps of furniture had been piled up there as the floors had also been sanded and polished.  Neither of these scenes made the cut either.

February 2022 became the opening scene where they filmed our pre Gondoliers party, and then also across the road at the Town Hall.  I guess the theme is that we are party/opera people 

They also wanted a shot of the Commodore's ute sign - but I don't think this made it into the show either - pity

A long break til September 2022 - when they filmed Chris and I taking out the old wood burning oven.  What a mess that made!

 In February 2023 - Anthony came back for his 2nd visit (approximately 2 years since his first visit).  Justin wasn't here for that one 

And a couple of weeks later there was the Tunnel and Steve & Denise's cellar exploration - which all came to naught -as it was 'absolutely, definitely, maybe" a tunnel - so not good television.  That hit the scrap heap early on

Another whole scene to hit the scrap heap was filmed in April 2023 - with Justin and I walking around old mining/Eucalyptus oil manafacturing ruins.  My pants got covered in prickles!  Took ages to pull them off

They filmed Justin playing guitar, and me listening - this made it to the show

And they also filmed an origin story as to how we met up on the veranda

And filmed us driving around town with the Inglewood Yacht Club Commodore sign on the ute, and also visiting Steve and Denise at the Inglewood Emporium - neither scenes ended up in the show

Mark came back in October 2023 - to film the commencement of the mural with Shaun our fabulous artist 

He came up again in May to check our progress (no filming this time) - and advise that the reveal would be in June - and that we had to declutter/clean etc 

And then finally - for the last time in June 2024 - with Anthony again, and a cast of thousands ( well a handful at least) - cameramen, stills photographer, sound guy etc 

Whew, and that's not including my visit to the State Library to film me reading Joseph Tivey's ship board diary, nor our "manufactured briefing of Shaun the artist at our place, plus at least one visit to Inglewood without me to film the builders/destruction of the kitchen. 

They really invested a lot of time with us - and at one stage we thought they were going to sack us, or at least let us slide away.... I can't remember when it was exactly, but Mark did tell us at some stage that the ABC weren't sure if they would recommission the series - so we needed it be done by March of 2022? 2023? not sure - anyway, we missed those deadlines by a mile.  And they obviously persevered with us. 

We had also wanted the garden to be ready - with the new beds, paths etc - however with literally years of notice - it sadly wasn't - made me a bit cross 

That said our Reveal was filmed in June 2024, and then it took almost 12 months - ie to April 2025 for it to be screened in Series 7.  It was the premiere episode, so we were pretty chuffed

I was also quietly tickled that our episode had a review in The Age Green guide 

As well as some other promotional  support

Justin was on a conference in Hobart when it was on, so I had a screening party at home with the kids/partners, Helen and her kids, and Karen (no Tom as he had the flu)

Firstly Karen and I had drinks of the veranda (similar to what we might do in Inglewood)

 Helen came to join us 

Then dinner - I had made chicken parmas/schnitzels and various salads, and Fraser went and bought hot chips  as per a typical Inglewood pub meal

And then - it was the moment of truth - 8pm screening on Channel 2.  Granted, we could have watched it from 7am onwards when it dropped onto IView, but I wanted to see it "old school" on regular TV (had to remember/work out how to put a live tv channel on - but worked it out)

And then it was on - Madeleine took some photos of me in front of the TV - with our Inglewood house in the background

She also took some videos of me watching the show - and my amused reactions

It was hilarious to watch

Soon afterwards the texts, whatsapps and email messages started pouring in 

I heard from so many people - friends who knew that we were going to be on tonight, and then others who didn't and had just chanced upon it - either on the Thursday, or else on the Sunday afternoon when it was repeated.  Some old friends/work colleagues who I hadn't been in touch with for years also contacted me - it was so nice 

And my blog stats went through the roof - although this blog is public - I really just write it for myself/family - so I have a record of what we did when 

Likewise I had over 50 profile searches on Linkedin in the couple of days after the screening 

I guess that happened because I'm not on Facebook/Instagram - and therefore don't really have a social media profile.  Oh well, that's my 15 minutes of fame, as its pretty much back to normal now 

Maile told me that Steve at the Empire Pub had the program on at the pub for all to see - on Thursday night - which was surprising - as normally it's just footy on the tv

And Chris and Jo messaged us on Saturday morning that the guy from Restoration Australia was on Jacinta Parson's morning radio show (ABC 774) and that they were talking about us! Fancy! Anthony said we that we approached the restoration with "good humour and intelligence" - woo hoo!

Sunday, and our episode was the first program featured on IView (once again a pinch me moment)

So, what a wild ride it has been, as we said on the program, its not totally finished. We still have to do the front of the house - ie woodwork and cast iron work etc 

But we'll catch our breath for a while before we embark on that