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At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

SEVEN News reporter and Crows game day host Elspeth Hussey may be in your home on your television screen each night, but when she’s in her own home it’s her collection of paintings, her bathroom and the natural light that she loves best.

The keen renovator, who lives with her gorgeous Hungarian vizsla Maggie, has transformed her original 1910s cottage into a work of art… literally.

Elspeth, who also is a budding artist, has curated her home to feel like a fabulous gallery with incredible Indigenous artworks from the likes of painter Debra McDonald, as well as her own original pieces.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

Her decorating style, which her friends describe as “white on white on white” acts as the perfect backdrop for her vibrant art collection.

From whitewashed floorboards, a white home exterior to crisp linen in her bedroom, the result is enviable and tranquil.

Elspeth, whose career highlights would have to include “hosting the medal presentation after the Crows AFLW team won the Grand Final in 2019”, says her goal for 2020 is “to paint more and maybe have an exhibition for my friends and family”.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

NAME
Elspeth Hussey

WORKLIFE

Seven News reporter.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS…

Hosting the medal presentation after the Crows AFLW team won the Grand Final in 2019.

I’VE LIVED IN MY HOME FOR…

Just over 12 months.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY HOME IS…

A renovated 1910 Cottage in Parkside.

I LIVE WITH…

My three-year-old Hungarian Vizsla, Maggie.

I LOVE MY HOME BECAUSE…

Of the location. It’s a short walk to cafes on Hutt Street – and Victoria Park and Unley Oval for walks with Maggie.

BUT I STILL NEED TO…

Plant some new trees along the front fence.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY DECORATING STYLE IS…

My friends would describe my style as ‘white on white on white’.

RECENT PURCHASE

A wool floor rug from Oscar and Willow.

I COLLECT…

Paintings.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE ROOM

My bathroom with its oversized bath.

HOME FAVOURITES

■ Art from indigenous painter Debra McDonald – I have four but the one in the hallway is my favourite.
■ My bathroom.
■ The natural light.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

IN MY GARDEN I HAVE…

Teddy Bear magnolias, ornamental pears and tall hedges.

WHEN I GET HOME AT NIGHT…

I pour a glass of wine and start cooking. It helps me switch off after a long day.

AT WEEKENDS I LIKE TO…

Go for longer runs, have long lunches with friends and catch up on Netflix.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY FIRST CAR WAS…

An old manual BMW we bought from my uncle.

I LIKE TO LISTEN TO…

All sorts – up tempo if I’m running. I’m loving the soundtrack from the Last Dance documentary.

AT THE MOMENT I AM READING…

Grown Ups by Marian Keyes and Fast Asleep by Dr Michael Moseley.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE BOOK

All The Light We Cannot See.

CLEAN FREAK OR MESSY BESSIE?

The cleanest of clean freaks.

WHEN I’M HOME I LIKE TO COOK…
Everything. But lately I’ve been making a lot of pasties and tarts.

FAV CAFE/ RESTAURANT/ BAR

Bar Torino and Melt on King William Road.

FAVOURITE DRINK?

Pinot gris.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE FOOD/DISH TO EAT

Dumplings.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WANTED TO BE…

An actress or a secretary (I was obsessed with typing).

FAVOURITE SA HOLIDAY SPOT

Port Elliot.

DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Scandinavia.

FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM
The Crows.

SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

Renovate another home.

MY NEIGHBOURS ARE…

The absolute best. I got very lucky. We have dinner and drinks regularly.

I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT…

My family.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

IF I COULD AFFORD IT I WOULD LIVE…

In a holiday home at Port Elliot half the time and Adelaide the other half.

MY GOAL FOR 2020 IS TO…

Paint more and maybe have an exhibition for my friends and family.

HOME MEANS…

Entertaining, good food and wine, good friends and making memories.

@smhomemag

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

The post At home with Seven News reporter Elspeth Hussey appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Michael Gu’s (right) Mosman home is expected to come up for sale in Spring. Supplied

No signs yet of its listing, but agents will soon get the chance to take the Mosman home Michael Gu, the founder of the collapsed property group iProsperity, to a spring sale.

Gu paid $10m for the mansion back in 2017, but has recently quit Sydney after gaining an overseas travel exemption, despite allegedly owing investors $350m.

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A stunning view from the luxury home.

iProsperity’s liquidator, Cor Cordis, is understood to have sold Gu’s Rolls Royce Wraith for $502,000 with just 1039km on the clock.

The luxury Mosman market is strong.

There was a $20m-plus midweek sale of the Alex Popov-designed home of childcare mogul Brendan McAssey and his wife Elizabeth, who are off to Luggie Bank at Mittagong in the Southern Highlands.

The home was bought for $10m in 2017.

The four-bedroom home, reportedly rented by inter­national superstars David and Victoria Beckham when they came to Sydney in 2018 for the Invictus Games, traded at $17,349,691 in 2016 when bought from Donna Doyle.

The post Spring sale expected for iProsperity founder Michael Gu’s Mosman mansion appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Gosia and Janusz Wolnik are among the Victorians who’ve renovated to get their home ready for a sale. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Victorians were the nation’s most prolific renovators during a nationwide lockdown earlier this year — because we couldn’t get to the footy.

And Melburnians are turning to the tools again to cope with a second lockdown, adding value to their homes instead of just watching Netflix.

A Canstar Renovating Survey shows 38 per cent of Australians ignored fears of losing income or employment and tipped a few thousand dollars into renovating their home.

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Victorians led the charge, with almost half of the state’s homeowners surveyed tackling a renovation worth an average $3618, according to the figures.

Kitchens, outdoor landscaping and painting, as well as bathrooms were our top priorities.

Canstar financial services executive Steve Mickenbecker said he suspected frustrated footy fans in Melbourne losing a significant winter pastime to COVID-19 restrictions had driven the high activity.

Lockdown renovations have been popular in Victoria.

“There’s something about Melbourne, the culture is a little bit different than the rest of the country, it’s a bit more around the house in winter,” Mr Mickenbecker said.

“But it’s winter and there’s no footy to go to, so you have to fill the gap.

“You can either spend that time watching Netflix, or you can invest it in your property.”

OUR TOP RENO TARGETS

Kitchen – 15%

Outdoor landscaping or painting – 14%

Bathroom – 13%

Bedrooms – 13%

Outdoor entertaining areas – 10%

Garage – 9%

Laundry – 9%

Living area – 8%

Dining room – 8%

Home office/study – 5%

Source: Canstar Renovating Survey

He said while state-level survey results were collated from a small sample size, about 100 people in Victoria, strong sales at do-it-yourself hardware havens hinted they were on the money.

And with approximately 80 per cent of those who did renovate opting to DIY, it’s likely they have continued throughout the city’s second lockdown — via home delivered tools and materials.

Bunnings national customer advocacy manager Steve Hoffman said shopping online had “become the new normal for a segment of our customers” and that renovations continued.

“We’re hearing from customers that undertaking a DIY job provides a useful physical and mental distraction to the challenges of extended time at home,” Mr Hoffman said.

Kitchens like the one at 43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North have been a priority for updates.

Plants, paint and power tools were among the most popular items being ordered, but hygiene products as well as swing sets and cubby houses were also on shopping lists.

Independent research commissioned by Bunnings found 50 per cent of Australians planned a spring cleaning project.

Ray White Mount Waverley managing director Courtney Matthews said he was regularly taking calls from “mum and dad handypeople” in lockdown asking about what they could do to give their home a lift.

“I’m video-walking through with people and talking through what can be ordered from Bunnings online,” Mr Matthews said.

He was also finding many local tradesmen were being booked in for September to handle more advanced projects.

“I reckon there will be a flurry of activity post-lockdown,” he said.

43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North has been extensively renovated.

Almost half of Victoria’s homeowners took on home renovations during Australia’s first lockdown. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

Janusz and Goska Wolnik are selling their 43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North, home after relocating their kitchen, turning their garage into a studio and replacing a wall segment with a window for more natural light.

A retired engineer, Mr Wolnik said he did as much of the work himself as he could, but brought in professionals for anything involving electrical or plumbing work.

“It can be a pretty enjoyable experience — especially when you are done,” he said.

The Carlton Road home is now for sale at $620,000-$680,000.

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THE latest addition to the Hope Island waterfront has culminated this month with the topping out of Anchorage Apartments’ $46 million fourth stage.

The project, on Sheehan Ave, has attracted strong sales interest with 65 per cent of stock already sold.

Anchorage Apartments.

The 10-story building includes 42 two, three and three-bedroom plus study apartments ranging from 140 to 280 sqm.

Anchorage Apartments’ Rick Sheida said interest in the project was surging and they looked forward to welcoming potential buyers through the building from September.

“To have already sold 65 per cent of the fourth stage by the topping out is incredibly exciting and a testament to the strong buyer proposition this development offers in terms of its waterfront location, generous apartment size, luxury finishes and amenities and spectacular views,” Mr Sheida said.

Anchorage Apartments.

“Many of our buyers are already familiar with the lifestyle and luxury of life at Anchorage having purchased into the fourth stage after living in an apartment in one of our other buildings. We look forward to showing future residents through the building in September ahead of welcoming them to their new home later this year.”

The residences feature a butler’s pantry, wine fridge, limited double lockup garages, electric car charging stations and 30 sqm balconies.

Resident facilities include a gym and Seychelles-style resort pool.

The waterfront apartments have 15m private marina berths with direct access to the Coomera River, Broadwater and beyond.

Prices in the fourth stage start at $700,000.

Anchorage Apartments.

The post Sales surging at Gold Cosat development Anchorage Apartments appeared first on realestate.com.au.

757 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill took as long to sell as the movie Toy Story.

Real estate fans were reaching for the popcorn as hammer time turned into a movie-length feature in Wheelers Hill over the weekend.

The 81-minute auction for 757 Ferntree Gully Road had the same run time as animated classic Toy Story, with agents left wondering if it really could go to infinity and beyond as it surged past its reserve.

The result emerged on a weekend when 55 per cent of the about 70 homes auctioned across Melbourne sold, according to preliminary realestate.com.au figures.

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But while the four-bedroom house’s sale had a happy ending, it started off as more of a thriller with a $650,000 opening bid far below the $810,000 bottom of the home’s range.

It was even called on the market at $790,000 as bidders kept on in small increments.

Inside the four-bedroom house.

“It was turning into a little bit of a movie session,” said Ray White Glen Waverley’s Cristine Jones.

“Some of the people had cameras on and were getting lunch or a drink.

“But there was a lot of intensity and a lot of action, some of the increments were between $500 and $1000.

“It could have pulled up at $700,000, but there was no scary part.”

Even Buzz Lightyear would have been watching the clock on this auction.

The house sold for $880,000, a hefty $90,000 more than the home’s $790,000 reserve price after seven groups bid.

Four of the bidders, including the eventual buyer, had never seen the house in person — unable to inspect due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The home comes with a backyard pool.

The buyers plan to transform the deceased estate into a new home.

Ms Jones said it was ironically because of COVID-19 that they had been able to run an auction for 81 minutes.

“There was nowhere else to rush off to, so it was quite a different feeling, experiencing it running along,” she said.

The buyer has long-term plans to start again with a new build on the block.

Ms Jones said up to five bidders had been fairly common for homes auctioned since March this year, and to have two or three who hadn’t visited the home was also increasingly common — particularly for investors and redevelopment opportunities.

With high demand and limited homes for sale, now was an opportune time to sell a home — despite the current lockdown, she said.

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The post Wheelers Hill movie-length auction goes $90k past reserve appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Woodville South home at 18 Glengarry Street sold for much more than its vendors expected at the weekend. Pic: realestate.com.au

The seller of a 1930s bungalow was reduced to tears when their home was snapped up at auction – not because they were sad to let it go but because it fetched such a high price.

The Woodville South property at 18 Glengarry Street sold for $953,000 under the hammer on Saturday, more than $50,000 above its reserve price.

Ray White West Lakes principal Larry Finis, who sold the house with Denis Bajraktarevic, said the vendors were “ecstatic” with the price, which was much higher than they expected.

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It sold for $953,000 under the hammer. Pic: realestate.com.au

There were 14 registered bidders vying for the keys. Pic: realestate.com.au

“Our anticipation was that it was probably going to be sold in that mid to high $800,000 range,” he said.

“The person who ended up buying it, she knocked everyone out on the first bid – her first bid was $870,000.”

Mr Finis said it ended up being a short auction, with only about seven bids in total.

“The vendor started crying after the first bid,” he said.

“The reserve was $900,000 but they would have taken $850,000.”

Mr Finis said the three-bedroom modernised character home, which property records show last sold in 2009, attracted a lot of interest during its three-week campaign.

“There was probably 60 to 70 people who attended the property, and we had 14 registered bidders on the day,” he said.

Mr Finis said the buyer was so determined to snap up the home because she had been looking for the right property for a while and this one ticked all the boxes.

Several properties that went under the hammer at the weekend fetched much higher prices than expected.

The Burnside duplex at 9 Windarra Avenue sold for more than $40,000 above its reserve price. Pic: realestate.com.au

A Burnside duplex at 9 Windarra Avenue sold for $667,000 at auction – $42,000 more than its reserve price.

Ray White Norwood agent Brandon Pilgrim, who sold the three-bedroom residence with Derek Lee, said three registered bidders attracted to its location were vying for the keys.

“It was the location, there’s a little reserve at the end of the street and there are cafes just around the corner,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Clarence Gardens home at 9 Neville Avenue, which had a $570,000 reserve, sold for $601,000 at auction.

Selling agent Daniel Richardson, of Tanner Real Estate, said a first-home buyer outbid three others to secure the keys.

The Clarence Gardens home at 9 Neville Avenue also fetched much more than expected at auction. Pic: realestate.com.au

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*Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

When Stewart and Alice started a family, they were faced with a common dilemma on the housing front.

They loved the period features of their single-fronted Victorian terrace in Hawthorn. But once their two daughters arrived, the house started to feel a little cramped.

“The layout wasn’t particularly functional for us as a family,” Alice said.

“It wasn’t open plan but instead had a small separate kitchen, one bathroom and hardly any storage.”

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Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

So they had to decide, should they move to a larger house that better suited their needs or renovate their existing terrace?

The couple started looking for a new home, but soon realised local property prices had increased to the point where what they wanted was out of their budget.

They also loved their street, so they opted to investigate the renovation option.

Initially, they were unsure their 240sq m block would be big enough to accommodate their needs. But after meeting with Sarah Bryant and the team at Bryant Alsop Architects, Stewart and Alice felt reassured enough to recreate their house to make it work for their family in the long term.

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

STEPPING UP

Although the house’s position on a corner block allowed for more flexibility in terms of the design, it also meant working harder to meet strict heritage guidelines, Ms Bryant said.

“Council considered the block to have three street frontages because there’s also a laneway running along the back,” she explained.

They worked closely with council planners to generate a design for a two-storey extension with a modern structure that was distinct from the original building, but also “sympathetic in both the scale and materiality”.

Externally, the new structure has been softened with the use of recycled red bricks that were found on the site. The upstairs section is clad in grey Equitone fibre cement panels.

“This composite material offers a fire rating and is pre-finished so there won’t be any ongoing maintenance issues on an upper level that runs along a street,” Ms Bryant said.

The second floor — which houses two bedrooms, a bathroom and a much-wanted second living area for Stewart and Alice’s now seven- and five-year-old daughters — also features unusual horizontal slot windows to ensure privacy.

To further comply with heritage requirements, the front two bedrooms and the hallway of the original house were retained with the rooms transformed into a main bedroom, a walk-in robe, an ensuite and a “Jack and Jill” powder room.

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

ALL LIT UP

In addition to adding an open-plan layout and plenty of storage to their home, Stewart and Alice were keen to maximise its light intake. Like similar Victorian terraces, it was previously very dark inside.

Although the site was relatively tight, their architects decided against using the full width of the block for the extension. Instead, a narrow courtyard and barbecue area were included behind the kitchen, allowing coveted northern light to flood into the adjacent living area.

Setting it back from the boundary also helped to define the living area, according to Ms Bryant.

“It’s not just one big box stuck on the back (of the original house). It is open-plan living but there’s a clear sense of what is the living space as opposed to the kitchen and dining area,” she said.

The kitchen space is also light and bright thanks to a skylight. On the other side of the room, a study nook tucked under the new staircase is a practical, space-saving inclusion.

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

TONE UP

To further maximise light, the interior palette was kept simple, with white walls and finishes mixed with pale oak floors and cabinetry.

Another beautiful inclusion is the bluestone hearth, which wraps around the back of the living area to form a window seat and then continues out to the side courtyard and barbecue area.

“The bluestone is a material that was obviously used regularly in Victorian times, but is utilised here in a contemporary way that seamlessly links the outside to the interior,” Ms Bryant said.

It’s also a favourite feature of the owners, who love their newly renovated home.

“The kitchen and living area are beautiful spaces, and the flow and layout of the house work really well for us,” Alice said.

“In particular, having a second living area upstairs for the kids to play in and store their toys is fantastic. We are thrilled with the result.”

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

Randolph House by Bryant Alsop Architects. Photo: Jack Lovel

bryantalsop.com.au

The post Randolph House, Hawthorn: How a Victorian terrace became a modern showpiece appeared first on realestate.com.au.

9 The Esplanade, Geelong, sold for $2.375 million.

A couple’s “lucky” decision to take the scenic route to Geelong lead to the most expensive sale on The Esplanade in four years.

They were among three groups that bid for the four-bedroom house at 9 The Esplanade, Geelong, at Saturday’s online auction.

It sold for $2.375m, eclipsing the reserve price by $365,000.

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The 892sq m property opposite Griffins Gully Jetty offered for the first time in 60 years.

McGrath, Geelong agent Egle Skridulis said three bidders who registered for the online auction made 71 bids for the property.

The loungeroom offered bay views.

She said all three potential buyers — a local and two from out of town — planned to reside at the exclusive address, either renovating or potentially rebuilding on the prime location.

“At this stage, I think it is more a project to renovate,” she said.

“The location was paramount — being on the waterfront and being so close to the city.”

The original interior of the house has high ceilings, decorative plaster work and leadlight windows.

The house was laced with features like decorative ceilings.

The lounge room takes in bay views.

“It was very original, but it’s salvageable,” she said.

“Someone with a bit of love and money can have a beautiful home and it’s a really good block of land – 892sq m.

“The owners are happy that it goes to a family, rather than knocking it over the developer because they’ve got a lot of memories. It’s a beautiful property.”

The bathroom had been renovated.

The out-of-town buyers have business interest in Geelong, Ms Skridulis said.,

But if not for the signboard, the couple would have missed the auction.

“They took lucky turn that day to drive down The Esplanade,” she said.

“They drove down The Esplanade on Thursday, saw it, called me and I scheduled an appointment for the next day, that was it. They didn’t even know it was an auction.”

Serendipity: McGrath, Geelong agent Egle Skridulis said buyers discovered the auction of 9 The Esplanade when driving along Geelong’s waterfront last week.

Ms Skridulis said prime waterfront properties were rarely offered but always highly sought.

“You can get an apartment but you don’t have a backyard, you can’t put a pool in.

“They’re all the things they can have for their families. They come here for the lifestyle.”

The highest price paid for a house on The Esplanade was $3.2m in 2016, CoreLogic records show.

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60 Gascoignes Lane, Linton, was snapped up in a matter of days for an undisclosed figure above the $200,000-$220,000 price guide.

An internationally renowned artist’s off-grid weekender in regional Victoria has sold just four days after hitting the market.

The historically rich 170-year-old cottage on 8ha of land in Linton, about 33km from Ballarat, was owned by watercolourist Joseph Zbukvic.

The property at 60 Gascoignes Lane had a tiny price guide of just $200,000-$220,000

and sold to a metro buyer for an undisclosed figure which exceeded expectations.

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Artist Joseph Zbukvic is known globally for his watercolour paintings.

Mr Zbukvic has owned the property for 45 years.

Mr Zbukvic has won more than 200 national and international prizes and has had exhibitions across the globe.

He purchased the Linton property 45 years ago as a weekender.

The quaint brick and bluestone cottage doesn’t have any power or running water, but has plenty of charm and picturesque views of the hills, state forest and town lake.

It features a living room with an open fireplace, kitchen, mezzanine level and bathroom.

Outside, there’s a shed, toilet and dam.

The cottage has no running water or power.

It was originally built for a miner who didn’t have much luck during the Gold Rush, so instead sold bread to other diggers.

“I went to the local pub quite a bit when I first owned the place and the locals filled me in on the history,” Mr Zbukvic said.

“The place was owned by an Irish gold digger, who came to dig for gold and quickly discovered the money was to be made by feeding the minors: he was a baker by trade.

“He had this place built slightly out of town, and on top of the hill was the main camp of the diggers.”

A Linton watercolour painting by Joseph Zbukvic.

Mr Zbukvic was inspired by his weekender’s surroundings for a number of his paintings.

Mr Zbukvic said the property stayed in the miner’s family until the 1970s. He was the third owner.

“I found it to be a rundown thing with a flat roof and they kept a tractor in it,” he said.

“I set upon rebuilding it myself and there were no power tools back then. The work I put in was unbelievable.

“It has always been a weekender, my kids loved it when they were little – catching frogs and bugs and sleeping in the loft.

“Now the kids have grown up and it was going wreck to ruin.”

The new owners plan to keep the cottage as is.

The cottage is on an 8.09ha block.

Jellis Craig Ballarat agent Toby Tanis said the buyers planned to keep it as is.

“They want to use it as a weekender to escape the city and they love the history,” he said.

Mr Tanis said there had been a lot of interest in Ballarat and surrounding areas from Melbourne buyers since COVID-19 hit.

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Marine and Tim Willis with their bilingual daughter, Lucie (6). Lucie goes to Fitzroy Primary to participate in the school’s bilingual French program. Picture: Jay Town

The fact school zones boost property prices is well known — but new research suggests a particular type of school takes this up a notch.

House prices in the Brunswick South Primary School catchment shot up 7.8-8.7 per cent after it became bilingual by teaching Italian from 2017, according to a Deakin University study.

The results were compared to catchments of non-bilingual schools achieving similar NAPLAN results, to find homebuyers were willing to fork out for the “scarce resource”.

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Study co-author Dr Jian Liang expected the same phenomenon would exist in established bilingual schools catchments like Camberwell Primary, Footscray Primary and Abbotsford Primary, where students studied French, Vietnamese and Chinese respectively. But ongoing research would be required.

He said the results highlighted the unintended benefits education resources could bring to local and state economies.

“This kind of improvement of the education quality can benefit the housing market, which can further benefit the wealth of the local area,” Dr Liang said.

“It’s a value capture, because the government invests in education and they can collect it back in other channels like taxation.”

Dr Liang said bilingual education was beneficial to the mental development of children, and gave VCE students a big advantage since they could study up to three foreign languages.

Collings Northcote director Christian Gravias said buyers were willing to pay “that extra 5 or 10 per cent just for a school zone”.

Marine and Tim Willis with their bilingual daughter, Lucie (6). Picture: Jay Town

Thirteen schools across Melbourne offer official bilingual programs, in which students learn the majority of their subjects in second languages including Mandarin, Japanese and Auslan.

Other schools, including Fitzroy Primary School, offer unofficial bilingual programs.

After realising she wanted daughter Lucie, 6, to have a French connection, Marine Willis joined forces with several other parents who spoke the language to get a French bilingual program at a primary school north of the Yarra River.

Fitzroy Primary did, making it the clear choice for Lucie.

“It was not going to be enough for me to just speak French to her,” Ms Willis said.

“She’s learning how to read and write in French (at Fitzroy Primary), whereas at home, it would be an extra chore I’d have to try and enforce.”

North Melbourne-based Ms Willis and her husband, Tim, were searching for a home closer to Lucie’s school before the coronavirus pandemic halted their plans.

“I know families who were thinking about renting a one-bed apartment just to be in the (French bilingual school) Camberwell Primary zone,” Ms Guillou said. “When people like me want bilingual programs, they will move (and) sacrifice a little bit of extra money.”

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jack.boronovskis@news.com.au

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