RESTORATION AUSTRALIA wraps up its fifth season in a highly charged finale airing tonight on ABC TV and ABC iview.
This episode is set to ignite conversations around heritage and community values.
In the concluding instalment, host and architecture academic Anthony Burke will guide viewers across south-eastern Tasmania.
He joins Simon, his sisters Jocelyn and Kate, and their father Phil, who have embarked on an ambitious project. Instead of opting for a spacious, easy-to-maintain holiday home, the family purchases a diminutive stone church.
The church lacks basic amenities like a kitchen and bathroom, but the family is undeterred. They proceed with their plans for extensive restoration, aiming to transform the decrepit structure into a holiday abode suitable for large family gatherings.
However, the journey takes a contentious turn. The local residents are not pleased with the family’s plans. The church holds significant historical value, serving as a war memorial. The community believes that the integrity of the church’s original purpose should remain intact.
Throughout the season, Anthony Burke has travelled extensively around Australia, offering valuable insights and timely assistance to owners committed to reviving Australia’s architectural gems. As the curtain falls on the season, this final episode promises to be a taut dialogue between personal ambitions and collective heritage.
