Our family home

My parents lived at Sherwood in Seville East for more than 30 years and it's where my brother and I grew up

Just before my parents sold the house in 2018. I lived there until I was 25 lol

Sherwood, Seville East

In 1975 my parents Paul & Helen moved out to Seville East, in the Upper Yarra Valley about 50km / 34 miles east of Melbourne, Victoria.

Kitchen with wood panelling — The family kitchen was intimate; a lot of great memories cooking and talking around the benchtop

A-frame house with slate roof surrounded by plants — The side door and pathway down to the separate bungalow where I lived

The property comprised 2 acres of land, on a fairly steep hill overlooking the Valley and the late great Woori Yallock pub. It was built by dad's great Uncle Dave in the early 30's, a classic 2 storey A-frame home with small bedrooms upstairs.

Building surrounded by shrubs plants and tres — The old garage was converted in the mid 90's in to a self contained bungalow where I took up residence.

Room with open fire place — The living room with open fireplace: lovingly nicknamed 'The Museum' (from Ferris Bueller) or 'Good Room' (from Kath n' Kim)

I was born in 1978, my younger brother Tom in 1983 whilst Ash Wednesday bushfires tormented the state. My brother and I would share a bedroom with bunks until I was 17 and moved in to the bungalow: a converted garage that we turned in to a self contained 2 room cottage.

Dad added a large shed that would double as a basketball court. But the most obvious feature was the incredible gardens.

View from the garden back up at the home and balcony

View from the balcony back down to the garden

It's also where we got married

Billed as our "Moving to America" party, 150 of our friends rocked up in the middle of Summer expecting a farewell.

What they got was a surprise wedding.

He/Him and She/Her on their wedding day — January 21, 2017 when we got married at my parents in front of surprised family and friends <3