Words by Danielle Davey | Photos: courtesy Channel 9
Spoiler alert: The Block is back, and this season promises to be the most breathtaking yet. For the first time, the homes feature water views – and they just happen to be right here in our very own Mount Eliza.
Many locals have felt invested in this season long before it hit the screens, sneaking a peek through the site hoarding emblazoned with the builders’ logo Nine in Six and craning their necks for a better look at who’s driving the Chery covered in The Block’s promo decals.
Now all will be revealed … well, one room at a time each week.
Some fans are more interested in the contestants than the home transformations. Nothing unites viewers quite like a bit of division in the ranks. This year, without contrivance from the show’s production team, the site’s topography influences where teams fall on the lay of the land. The sloping terrain necessitated three homes be built on higher ground, with the other two constructed at a lower level. Referred to as the ‘Uptown’ and ‘Downtown’ precincts, these natural divisions set the stage for immediate rivalries.
Crittenden turned on its famous hospitality at the launch party for The Block, which included hosts Shelley Craft and Scott Cam, and contestants Adam and Jolene, Chantel and Wyatt, Lisa and Rosco, Courtney and Sev, and Rick and Tayla.
In another first, the contestants no longer live on site. Instead, after downing tools for the day, they return to a communal share house, living in close quarters with their opponents.
Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft are once again on hand to settle rifts and lift the contestants’ spirits – or, in Scotty’s case, give them the occasional ribbing – while Dan Reilly returns as foreman.
It won’t take long for viewers to learn which contestants play nice and which ones play hard. The competition is on, with all participants eyeing the prize: their home’s success at auction in November.
Flying the flag for Victoria are father and daughter team Rick and Tayla: he’s a builder from Altona; she’s a personal trainer and brow business owner. With a cheeky streak, viewers can expect some entertaining moments from Tayla.
There are two teams representing Queensland this year. From the Gold Coast are stay-at-home mum and business owner Chantel and personal trainer and online fitness coach Wyatt. Will they out-muscle the competition?
Courtney and Sev meet Crittenden’s digital marketing manager, Linda Crittenden, and MPM publisher Lauren Wild.
Representing Brisbane is the all-girls team, best friends Courtney and Sev: a construction site manager and interior designer respectively. Despite their careers seemingly giving them the edge, Sev said: “The process was a lot harder than either of us imagined.”
From outback South Australia, cattle station managers Adam and Jolene are used to hard yakka, but can they fight the distraction of ocean views to focus on getting the job done?
Finally, from Western Australia are Lisa, a paramedic, and Rosco, a FIFO oil and gas logistics expert. Their experience in high-pressure situations could prove an advantage.
Some viewers will recognise nods to our region throughout the homes they’ve created: colour palettes reflecting the bush and beach, artwork depicting local scenes, materials and homewares unique to local suppliers and businesses.
Don’t miss a moment of the latest season on Channel 9, and enjoy The Block, Mount Eliza-style.
