Sunrise news presenter Edwina Bartholomew’s husband has shared a life update, four months after revealing how a shock diagnosis had floored him.
In June, Neil Varcoe told Australian Women’s Weekly how he was struck down with chronic fatigue syndrome after suffering from a virus that “knocked him”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Edwina Bartholomew and Neil Varcoe share renovation update.
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The resulting depletion in energy left him feeling as if he “had nothing left” and he was forced to take on a decreased workload.
Shortly before Neil’s health revelation, the couple announced they had bought a historic hotel in Carcoar, NSW, with plans to renovate it as part of a “new chapter” in their lives.
Neil later moved to Carcoar to help with the renovation process while Eddy spent her weekdays nearly four hours east, in Sydney, for her role on the Channel 7 breakfast show.
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Now, in a positive update, Neil has revealed how he has also been teaching writing and data journalism to students at Charles Sturt University, a 40-minute drive from Carcoar, between renovation duties.
And for his final class, Neil had a special guest, none other than his wife Eddy.
Speaking with the class via Zoom, Eddy was seen on the screen in front of a group of students.
“I wrapped my final class at Charles Sturt University Bathurst yesterday with a chat with a journalist I greatly admire — my wife Edwina,” Neil’s caption began.
“For the past three-and-a-half months, I’ve taught feature writing and data journalism to a talented group of students.”
“I also delivered a verification and online investigations masterclass to the communications faculty and students, from the school’s state-of-the-art TV studio.”
Edwina Bartholomew speaks in her husband Neil Varcoe’s class. Credit: Instagram / neilvarcoe
He went on to thank his team members in the department, naming David Cameron, Travis Holland and Jock Cheetham for their “patience and support as I relearned the ropes”.
He ended the post by teasing that he is now “preparing for a visit from Rebel Wilson. More on that soon…”
Followers of Neil took to the comments to share praise for his return to university.
Edwina Bartholomew, Neil Varcoe and their son Tom. Credit: Instagram
“Great work, isn’t that beautiful Edwina. Fantastic, you’re so lucky ❤️,” one comment said.
“Well done 🤩 So rewarding to get back on the bike as the saying goes 😉👏👏👏,” a second wrote.
“I hope you both keep returning to us at Charles Sturt! Congratulations…I’m sure the students loved you,” another said.
Eddy, her husband Neil Varcoe and their children Molly and Tom outside The Victoria. Credit: Instagram
“Amazing, makes me want to go back to uni and learn some new tricks. I love your insights (and input) on this beautiful regional area of Australia close to home ❤️,” a commenter added.
The hotel that the couple is renovating is called The Victoria 1846.
Eddy and Neil took to Instagram over the weekend with a video explaining where they were up to with the ambitious project and why there had been some recent social media silence.
“We have defrosted @neilwrites after a cold Carcoar winter and now it’s all systems go on our guest house renovation,” Eddy said.
Eddy and Neil provide an update on their restoration of a hotel in Carcoar, NSW. Credit: Instagram/Edwina Bartholomew
“@studio_uc_ completed our landscape plans and we have started work on the garden.”
She went on to tease that they may have to change the name The Victoria, telling viewers there would be “more on that soon”.
The video gave a glimpse into all the hard work that has already gone into the project, which has a proposed 2025 completion date.
The pair explained that they have been focusing on outside work, including lawn mowing, hedge trimming, clearing fences, “hacking away at bushes” and pressure cleaning.
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