June 6th, 2025Block watch: pens down for students

Daylesford Primary School students and teachers called “pens down” or more likely “iPads down” and left the schoolyard to visit The Block building site on Friday, May 23. 

They met with some of the show’s stars, pictured below, from left, interior designer Shaynna Blaze, and co-presenters Scott Cam and Shelley Craft. 

The students were then taken on a tour of the site with foreman Dan Reilly, pictured above centre with cap. Filming for the television blockbuster is just about finished with the show due to be aired in early August – before the five houses on the Raglan Street site go up for auction. 

A spokesperson said the show’s builders Nine In Six would stay at the site, doing maintenance on the houses and gardens, until the end of the auctions which were likely to be late October or early November.

Real estate agents for the houses will also be doing private open for inspections. Central Highlands residents, who have watched The Block houses rise up from the former sheep paddock, can look forward to seeing promotions for the show go to air later this month. 

Daylesford Primary School principal Ali McCann said the school had been in touch with The Block about doing some television promotions with their younger students and the idea of a tour had been raised. 

“Our grade five and six students walked up and had a really good time, it was such a unique experience for them. 

“They had lots of weird and wonderful questions for The Block team who gave us a tour around the site and introduced us to members of the team, including hosts, the interior designers and the competitors. Everyone really enjoyed the experience.” 

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Contributed