A leap of faith

Embracing uncertainty, they followed their hearts, trusting in their shared vision. However, their journey has had its challenges.

From navigating the intricacies of historical preservation to learning the ropes of renovation, each step has tested their determination.

Yet, fuelled by their shared passion and unbending perseverance, Deb and Robert have poured their sweat, tears, and countless hours into the neglected building and surrounds, which today breathes new life.

“We both were looking for a project to do together and while driving around, we just stumbled upon it,” Deb said.

“I thought it was going to be too big a job, as had everyone else for the past 30 years, but Robert had done a lot of renovations, so we thought, why not — Let’s take a leap of faith.

“We’re both retirees. Roberts is not; he’s semi-retired, working one day a week. So, it’s literally been done on a budget, and we sold our houses to do it.

“It’s been more of a lifestyle for us, and we have loved doing it. It’s kept our brains active and bodies fit.”

Built in 1876 as the “Commercial Bank of Victoria” and decommissioned around 1930-1940, the building also served as a home, retail outlet and hairdresser.

Upon purchase, Deb said most of the internal period features had been removed, although the vault remained.

There was no hot water and giant rats’ nests when they moved in, and the electrical work needed some attention, which they realised in the first week after encountering a fire.

“We were just so lucky that we were home. Within seconds, the roof timbers were on fire,” Robert said.

“I managed to put it out, but it could have potentially burnt the whole property to the ground.

“We knew we had to update some of the wiring at some stage; that happened earlier than expected.”

With a focus on recycling and sustainability and a commitment to reducing the properties’ ecological footprint and their own, the couple encountered challenges with the building’s historical overlays.

In June 2022, the renovators were devastated after a VCAT ruling mandated removing their front fence and flowerpots, stating it was too pretty for the masculine building.

After the ruling, many of the 900+ people who signed their petition to save their fence went to social media to express their opinions.

One person wrote, “This is a travesty of justice”, and another commented, “There appears to be no democracy in Shepparton Council.”

Today, Deb commented that the heritage overlays had been more complicated to navigate than first thought.

“It’s been difficult at times but the community was amazing, and we had so much support. We are now known as the fence people,” Deb said.

“We laugh about it now but still miss the fence, and we’d love to have it reinstated.

“The best we can do at the moment is continue conversations with the new CEO, who at least has listened to us; we didn’t get that opportunity before.

“We really appreciated her coming here and talking to us.”

Despite their challenges, the home now showcases an impressive blend of both their tastes and passions, inside and out.

Today, as sunlight glistens through restored spaces, plants, pets, and nature intertwine with a natural, cosy home feel.

Chickens roam freely in their backyard, vegetables flourish through the seasons, and their hard work is notable and stunning.

It’s a space where they can deeply appreciate every aspect of their lives and every inch of their hard work.

It’s their ‘Modern Victorian’ styled home, where Robert’s earthy ways and love for the country seamlessly blend with Deb’s French provincial styling.

And when it comes to restoring furniture, the couple delights in embarking on treasure hunts, eagerly seeking out bargains to refurbish.

“We’ve recycled everything we can and enjoy reviving and repairing pieces,” Robert said.

“We enjoy the unusual and appreciate good workmanship, particularly seeing the old things come back to life.

“We’ve had to learn lots of new skills. Thank goodness for Google and YouTube, and if something doesn’t work, you just try again.”

As I sat with Deb and Robert, listening to their journey and the joy of sharing their space with family, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them.

While they still have floors and a few rooms to complete, nearing their 70s, when will they slow down?

I was reassured quickly that they are not the kind of couple who sit on the couch all day and eagerly anticipate embracing their passions of painting, creating, and cherishing moments with loved ones.

“I’ve been drawing all my life, and I’ve always held onto the mantra of being a ‘crazy old lady living in the bush painting’,” Deb said.

“So, that’s what drives me. But everything is creative to me. The house is our canvas now, and the garden is my canvas. I haven’t painted for a couple of years, but I aim to have a studio in the backyard.

“We will cherish every moment spent here with our children and grandkids in this lovely little town, and I can envision us on our scooters, heading down to the local supermarket for bread and milk.

“Everything we need is right here, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”

Robert chuckled, “I’m sure I’ll always be fixing something. It’s an old house on a busy road.” He continued, “Or I’ll be making something for the grandkids or simply enjoying a gin on the back deck while watching the sunset.”

Before I left Deb and Roberts’ property, I insisted on taking one last photo out the front of their home, and as I looked at them through my camera they proudly stood together, arm in arm, and I smiled.

For I realised their leap of faith was not just about renovating a building; it was about embracing the unknown and turning it into something beautiful.

Together, they’d created a canvas that reflected their love and trust for each other and their shared belief in the power of possibilities.

This story originally featured in Our Home Winter 2024. Find the full magazine, here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/features-and-magazines/our-home-winter-2024/

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