Australia’s most popular renovation reality show, The Block, is about to put Daylesford on the national – and international – stage.
The 20th season of The Block was filmed right here in Daylesford, and the series premiere will air on Sunday, July 27 at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Long-time hosts Scott Cam and Shelly Craft welcomed media representatives with their signature humour, banter and expertise and chatted freely with those in attendance.
Asked why The Block team persisted in their efforts to produce a Daylesford show after initial planning approvals were appealed to VCAT, Cam said that they knew that a Daylesford show would be hugely popular. “It’s such a beautiful location and so close to Melbourne that it’s a natural choice as a destination,” he said. “And despite the protests from a handful of people, we knew we had wide community support because we have friends in town and they were pretty adamant that the town wanted us. So we just had to push ahead – we knew that the outcome would be outstanding.”
Asked if they thought the show would change perceptions of Daylesford or create unrealistic expectations, Shelly Craft was certain that the effects would be positive. “I like to think that we’re showcasing everything you’ve got here in a friendly, family oriented way.”
The homes are, in a word, magnificent. They are all exactly the same size and the same footprint but the contestant teams have brought their individual design creativity to make them look and feel very different. Some have floorboards throughout, others have tiles on the floor and timber in the ceilings. Some have indoor theatre spaces; others have created a gymnasium. Some have garages; others have used the space to create a “man cave”.
All of the homes will be sold with full furnishings and fittings. The fully stocked wine fridge and long-term wine store are included. One home includes a $250,000 caravan. Cookware, dinnerware, cutlery, glassware are all included. You could buy a home and move in with just an overnight bag. And if you happen to purchase one of these homes, leave an extra fifteen minutes at bed time to remove the cushions from your bed and stack them neatly in a corner.
Asked if showcasing these magnificent homes to a national audience would change perceptions and expectations of our county town, Cam said, “That’s what we do – we build magnificent homes. We’ve driven around in our time here and we’ve seen many magnificent homes. They’re already here. This will just add to what many people already know. They’ll think, “Well, let’s go check out Daylesford.'”
Julian Cress, co-creator and executive producer, described this year’s season as “a classic Block series. “There will be highs and lows, of course, but audiences can expect strong competition and stunning transformations,” he said.
“There is a reason why Daylesford is the number one weekend tourist destination in Australia – it’s a very beautiful town with an amazing community,” Cress said. “We hope to show how incredible Daylesford is to not only Australia, but to the rest of the world.”
The production team and crew were based in Daylesford for three months during filming and were warmly welcomed by the local community. And according to Cam, they spent $8 million on local hospitality, products and services, a huge contribution to the local economy.
In addition to the home renovations, Shelly Craft kept the teams on their toes during the fan-favourite “Shelly’s Challenge” days. The teams were involved in a few projects which will leave a legacy in the community including fitting out the cinema in The Rex and refurbishment of the Hepburn Baths.
The tour of the development was an eye opener. For so long, the hoardings have kept out an inquiring public. And, yes, we took photographs but the project team has asked us not to post anything until the “big reveal”.
With Daylesford in the spotlight, local residents will no doubt be watching closely to see how the town – and its people – are showcased. So tune in to Chanel 9 on Sunday night, July 27, at 7:00 for the first is what will be a talking point in town for months to come.
