Making Australian property great again: the country restoration dream

 From churches to former school halls, pubs and abandoned rural estates, country Victoria is host to numerous historic and architecturally significant properties.

Though many of these types of properties sat idle before eventually disintegrating into disrepair, a new generation of tree changers (disillusioned city dwellers seeking a convenient, laidback lifestyle in the country) offers them a second life.

Former Melbourne residents Marnie Ireland and Dale Fuller have been painstakingly and passionately restoring the Gervasoni Homestead in Yandoit, about 130 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, since 2012.

The property contains a series of heritage-listed buildings built between 1850 and 1901, the restoration of which is documented on the ABC series Restoration Australia (available now on DVD and digital).

“It ticked all the boxes for us: ruins, creek, rock escarpment and absolutely beautiful location not too far from Melbourne,” Ireland says.

“The buildings were actually classified ruins and noted as being at risk of collapse [and] becoming just a pile of rubble in a paddock.”

Starting off the restorations by living in a ’70s caravan and with a shipping container as a kitchen, the couple have transformed the property’s former blacksmith’s villa into accommodation, the cottage into their home, and the stables into a barbecue area. They will eventually live in the property’s main stone house when restorations are complete.

“This is a special group of buildings which really deserve some love, and have been loved by many in its history as a major party venue within the community,” Ireland says.

“…We pinch ourselves nearly every time we come home.”

Like Gervasoni, many of the state’s historic properties lend themselves to being converted into accommodation, offering tree changers an added source of income and work.

This has been the case for David and Robyn Dunkley, who bought the church next door to their home in Lindenow, a small east Gippsland town not far from Bairnsdale, in late 2012. Formerly operating as St Martin’s Anglican Church, the property dates back to 1898 and was moved to its current location in 1953.

“The church was used as a place of worship right up until the time that it was sold,” Robyn Dunkley says.

The Dunkleys have since renovated their property into a boutique accommodation venue, welcoming the first guests to the “Altar Ego Church Stay” in late 2013.

Following a decline in tree changers after the 2008 financial crisis, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows a huge resurgence of people relocating to coastal and country towns over 2014-2015.

Motivating factors of this migration are said to include the rise of so-called lifestyle towns that offer more affordable, spacious and scenic properties, along with improved rural internet connectivity.

With many Australians now able to permanently work from home, it is expected the number of tree changers will simultaneously continue rising in the coming years.

For those considering a similar move, Ireland says having a project such as a restoration can help make the transition from city to country more fulfilling and stimulating.

“If you love the property and the lifestyle it is incredibly rewarding … we are so very proud of what we have achieved, but you must enjoy hard, dirty work!” Ireland says.

“People ask us now we are approaching completion if we will sell it; we look at them incredulously! We will be tinkering on this property for the rest of our lives, and totally love it.”

Labour of love

• Have a checklist of what you are seeking in a tree change property and don’t compromise without good reason. Common checklist items include close proximity to the city, connectivity to public transport, and a tight-knit local community.
• Thoroughly research your new location and home before moving. A Charles Sturt University study shows only 2 per cent of tree changers researched their new locale before moving, leading to unrealistic expectations.
• Look for tradespeople who understand your passion for restoring an older property.
• Make sure your renovations are in keeping with the original style of the building.
• Do not assume a country renovation will be cheaper than one in the city. Some specialist trades will charge high premiums to work outside a metropolitan area.
• If you are renovating a country property for profit (not pleasure), determine the building’s eventual purpose first to avoid inadvertently excluding a potential purchaser or end user.
• Be patient when settling into a new community, as this can take years.

Investing in history

Sarah Beaumont and Ian Glover, pictured, had been living in Brunswick for 25 years when they discovered the Eurambeen Homestead in Beaufort, 55 kilometres north-west of Ballarat, on the edge of disrepair.

“We just fell madly in love with it. It was this beautiful, old bluestone mansion,” Beaumont says.

“We were the only crazy people who looked at it and thought this would be fantastic.”

Since buying the circa 1850 property in 2012, the couple converted key elements of Eurambeen into an accommodation and events venue to fund the ongoing restoration of the homestead.

Beaumont’s favourite element of the property is the surrounding 1.21 hectare garden. Originally designed by highly regarded landscaper Edna Walling in the 1920s, it has been recreated based on documents found in the State Library of Victoria.

The entire restoration has been a huge undertaking for the formerly corporate couple, who felt overwhelmed and isolated during the project’s early stages.

“It has taken us a while to realise this was the right decision … you do have to be really patient to fit into a community,” Beaumont says.

Eurambeen’s makeover has not only delighted the community, but also descendants of the Beggs family who originally owned the property.

“The family have stayed here and given us photos; they’re over the moon,” Beaumont says.

“It was a five-year plan and we’re hoping in the next 12 months that the majority of work will be finished.”

Cover property

25 Mount Rothwell Road/965 Little River-Ripley Road, Little River
$3.66 million
Private sale
Abercromby’s, Jock Langley 0419 530 008

The Mount Rothwell Homestead is a significant bluestone Italianate property set on 80 hectares (200 acres).

This heritage-listed home was originally designed by architect P. Colquhoun in 1872 for pastoralist Robert Chirnside, nephew of the famous Thomas and Andrew Chirnside from Werribee Park. The Chirnsides were a well-known pastoral family, with extensive land holdings in the area.

According to the Heritage Council of Victoria, the Mount Rothwell Homestead is important as a representation of successful pastoral activities during the 19th century, and for containing rare decorative schemes.

The property’s hand-painted ceilings and walls were completed by American artist John Clay Beeler, who at the time had just painted a new scheme at the Royal Exhibition Building. Beeler’s work at Mount Rothwell is said to be his last remaining art in a private home in Victoria.

The home includes eight bedrooms, a renovated kitchen, three contemporary bathrooms, flexible family rooms, a study, gym and cellar for a total of 22 rooms.

Also accompanying the estate is a four-bedroom caretaker’s residence, a classical woolshed, silos and a machinery shed.

The property is a 40-minute drive from Melbourne, 30 minutes from Geelong, and a short walk from Little River train station.

Or try these . . .

1 Fountain Street, Maldon
$1.25 million
Private sale
Waller Realty, Rob Waller 0418 571 130

Formerly a Wesleyan Church manse (minister’s home), The Parsonage has been converted into a French Provincial-style home, with additions including a solar heated pool and spa. The property is said to be the birthplace of 1930s Australian cricket captain Bill Woodfull, whose father was the local Methodist minister.

217 Rosemount Road, Southern Cross
$1,095,000
Private sale
Brian O’Halloran & Co, Rebekah Canavan 0439 035 851

Rosemount (circa 1854) is a restored Victorian five-bedroom home set on five acres. The property is a tranquil getaway from nearby Warrnambool, complete with original design features and an accompanying orchard of pears, stone fruits, berries, olives, and nuts.

3377 Creswick-Newstead Road, Smeaton
$650,000
Private sale
Biggin & Scott, Rae Corris 0408 358 772

Fifteen minutes from Daylesford, this former church manse (circa 1860) has been converted into a country home with modern appointments. Also included on the site is a timber school building with potential to be transformed into studio, gallery or accommodation.