More than two-and-half years since Jenny Dixon and Harold Cosier began restoring West Wollongong home Keera Vale to her former glory – their story will next week feature on ABC TV’s Restoration Australia.

Built from convict bricks in 1843 for Judge Roger Therry, Keera Vale has suffered from a lack of attention and some brutal modifications over the years. Ms Dixon and Mr Cosier are determined to correct the wrongs as best they can and recreate what was once a Georgian mansion in Bukari Street, West Wollongong.

The couple affectionately refer to their home as ‘she’ – a term of endearment that reflects how much they care about Keera Vale and an indication that the house has become an important part of their family.

“For me there is a real respect for her,” Ms Dixon said. 

Both said the house had provided an opportunity to meet amazing people, including many strangers who just turn up to help with the renovations purely for the love of it.

“One of the things that I’ve really enjoyed is the sense of community that’s come from the house. We’ve had a phenomenal number of people come and help just because they used to live in the house, or they have known it, or they are just drawn to it. She has a really good vibe.”

The couple’s steady progress filmed by the ABC, focusses on restoration of the dining room. Since filming ended, the front ‘parlour’ has been completed and they have continued work on the home’s exterior.

Water seepage, partly caused by a thick layer of concrete added to the exterior in the 1960s, has resulted in the couple temporarily abandoning the interior restoration work to chip concrete off the outside so the sand and clay bricks can ‘breath’.

“I have the mentality that if it’s broken, then you fix it,” Mr Cosier said. “I have a really strong appreciation of the craftsmanship that went into this.” Keera Vale will air on October 13, at 8.30pm.