0:00:02 > 0:00:04Pursuing a brighter future for your family
0:00:04 > 0:00:09on the other side of the world takes courage and determination,
0:00:09 > 0:00:14especially if one of your teenage children just doesn't want to go.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19That was the dilemma Gary and Helen Ward faced back in 2009.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Seven years later, we'll find out if a trial week in Darwin
0:00:23 > 0:00:28was enough to tempt the whole family to take the plunge.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Dad Gary and mum Helen were convinced
0:00:31 > 0:00:34their family could have a much better future in Australia.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39I went there ten years ago - went to Sydney and Brisbane -
0:00:39 > 0:00:41and just enjoyed the lifestyle,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43and, obviously, the weather was amazing.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48I want to give my children the opportunity of a brighter future
0:00:48 > 0:00:51in a climate where it's healthier, it's more outdoors.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54A week down under revealed the country's potential,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56but they still needed to persuade daughter Rebecca
0:00:56 > 0:00:58it was the right move.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03I still have a lot to leave behind, and I'm still not totally sure.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Now, seven years on, where in the world do the Wards call home?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It's a little bit of a mission. I'm that way wired.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Around 23 families per day migrate to Australia
0:01:36 > 0:01:38in search of a better life,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42and anyone who's under the age of 45 and on the skills shortage list
0:01:42 > 0:01:45could find themselves at the front of the queue.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49But for all these families, how hard is the decision,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and do they find what they're looking for?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Having holidayed in Sydney ten years previously,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Gary Ward was convinced Australia could offer his family
0:01:59 > 0:02:01a brighter future.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04And although she'd never been, wife Helen agreed.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But teenage daughter Rebecca was adamant
0:02:07 > 0:02:11uprooting to the other side of the world wasn't for her.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15After a week experiencing what life there could be like,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the family faced a life-changing decision -
0:02:18 > 0:02:23whether to stay in the UK or make the move down under.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Today, we'll find out where the Wards finally agreed to call home.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Back in 2009, Gary and Helen Ward were living in Bradford
0:02:34 > 0:02:36with children Rebecca, who was then 15,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Dan, who was 14, Rachel, who was 11,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and Jake the dog, who wouldn't be making the move.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Visa applicant Gary was a full-time youth worker.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50My job is amazing, actually, because you get a chance to help people
0:02:50 > 0:02:51who haven't had a good start in life.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54When we get alongside people and people respond,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56then you just feel as if you've not just done a job,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58but you've actually helped the big picture.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00You've done well there.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Helen was a self-employed dressmaker
0:03:02 > 0:03:06and doubled up as a teacher to home-school the three children.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09We wanted to give our children a chance to soar with their strengths,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11to excel in the things they're good at,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14instead of concentrating on some of the things that they struggle with,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16which is what was happening in school,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18which just dented their confidence no end.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Makes you think, this, doesn't it?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24But the couple were contemplating emigrating to Australia.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I went there ten years ago -
0:03:26 > 0:03:29went to Sydney and Brisbane and around there -
0:03:29 > 0:03:31and just enjoyed the lifestyle.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35I want to give my children the opportunity of a brighter future,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39living in a climate where it's healthier, it's more outdoors.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41But oldest daughter Rebecca had a lot to lose
0:03:41 > 0:03:46if they did make the move - her beloved horses.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I'm kind of torn half and half. Leaving my horses will hurt a lot.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I'll miss them so much cos they're a huge part of my life.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Underpinning the family's motives for a move
0:03:57 > 0:03:59was mum Helen's long-term health.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04The reason why we've decided now is because my wife's got SAD,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07which is seasonal affective disorder.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09In the UK, I suffer really badly. I just want to hibernate.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I just feel... I get very low mood,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I get very tired and very depressed, you know?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18If she can be in a better environment, then why not?
0:04:18 > 0:04:21If you can do something about that,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23then you would, wouldn't you, for health's sake?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26With such strong pulls in both directions,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29the family face some tough decisions.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32It's all or nothing. We all go.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34But if she said, "I'm not going, that's it,"
0:04:34 > 0:04:38I couldn't bear the thought of going and leaving one behind.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41The family's journey down under began
0:04:41 > 0:04:44with a gruelling 10,000-mile flight
0:04:44 > 0:04:47from the UK to Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51and they were a tad weary when they finally touched down.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- It's good we're here. - It's quite an adventure, really.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Absolutely exhausted.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59It's going to be an interesting week.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00There's a lot of challenges ahead.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02We need to put some things to bed, I think,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05about the way we feel about Australia versus the UK.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Just really excited, you know,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09about what we're going to discover in Darwin.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13The next seven days would help the Wards decide once and for all
0:05:13 > 0:05:15where to call home.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Their base for the week was the suburb of Anula,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20perfectly positioned to explore Darwin
0:05:20 > 0:05:22and the surrounding countryside.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Well, that's pretty cool, isn't it?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Gary was happy with outside,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30but would inside live up to his and Helen's expectations?
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- Wow. It's amazing. - It's a bit of all right.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- It's pretty good.- It's huge. - Our kitchen would fit in the fridge!
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- What do you reckon, guys? Could you get used to this?- Yes, definitely.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Yeah?- I'm already used to it.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49The kitchen and living area was certainly big enough for the Wards,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52but with only three bedrooms, the children would have to share.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56We're going to get you two in the end room over there,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Dan in the one next door,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and we'll go downstairs to the downstairs suite
0:06:01 > 0:06:05with en suite toilet. I think that's fair. See you!
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Bunking down together didn't appear to be a problem
0:06:08 > 0:06:11for Rebecca and Rachel, and venturing outside,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13there was something to make the whole family happy.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- Has it got a pool?- A pool!
0:06:15 > 0:06:17That's pretty good.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Can't wait to see it when the sun's out.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I like the warmth of the water.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Yeah, it's refreshing, but not absolutely freezing.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29The coming days would help the family really test the water
0:06:29 > 0:06:31on Australian living,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35and the reality of being down under was beginning to hit home.
0:06:35 > 0:06:4030 hours ago, I'm sitting there, being excited, generally,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44and now I'm in Australia. It's just too much has changed.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Do you want to pinch her? Pinch her. It is real!
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Back in the UK, the Wards lived in a four-bedroom house
0:06:57 > 0:06:59on the outskirts of Bradford.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03They'd purchased it eight years previously for £52,000.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06They also owned the house next door,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08which they were renting out to another family.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11In their home, space was a real issue,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14with Dan's room barely big enough to fit a bed.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20The family were hoping to find more room in Australia
0:07:20 > 0:07:23as well as that all-important pool.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29We found three suitable homes for sale in Darwin.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31The first was in the suburb of Moulden,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35about 30 minutes' drive from Darwin city centre.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The three-bedroom detached house was on the market
0:07:38 > 0:07:40for around £210,000,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42so as long as they got the right price
0:07:42 > 0:07:44for their properties in the UK,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Gary and Helen should have been able to afford it.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- Oh, this looks nice. - OK. It's pretty different.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54It's not what you expect to find in Australia, though, is it?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Cos you get the concept of big homes, big rooms,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and everything's bigger. Nice, though.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I mean, the things you could do if you had a place like this -
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- you'd change it round and... - Change a few things, I guess. - Yeah, fixtures and fittings.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07But you can't change the size.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I'm slightly, you know, surprised by how small it is.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's bigger than ours, though, isn't it?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13We're not really going to be spending every second of our life
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- in here, so...- That's true.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- We'll be outside a lot, won't we?- Yeah.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19The house had evoked a mixed reaction,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and Gary was clearly concerned about the size.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Unfortunately, things didn't get any bigger in the bedrooms.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27- Whoa!- My goodness. - It's a bit small.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30You say, "Come in," but can we get in?
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Wow.- How would you feel if this was your room?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- DAN:- I wouldn't feel great about this, really.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- I think it's too small.- Mm.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Dan certainly wasn't impressed with his potential bedroom,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45but would the master suite win over Gary and Helen?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I don't... I hate the walls. It's just a painted breeze block.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- Yeah.- I don't want to be unkind,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53but every room looks like a garage with furniture in.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55HELEN LAUGHS
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Things were going from bad to worse, but if they moved to Australia,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02this could be the sort of house they'd have to settle for.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- It's just ridiculous. - Yes, that's the toilet room.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Or bedroom number four! - THEY LAUGH
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Now, this is spacious.- This is cool.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- There's room for a pool.- Yeah. - You could build a pool in there.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- Yeah.- At last, something positive,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24but Gary still wasn't satisfied.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I'm struggling with the concept of outdoor/indoor.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29That's my problem.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32You've just got to remember how much time you're going to spend indoors,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35you know, when it's 30 degrees year-round.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38You're going to be outdoors as much as possible, aren't you?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The size of the house they could get for their money in Darwin
0:09:41 > 0:09:44had come as a shock, but Helen was staying upbeat.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48The outside makes up for the inside.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Because I'm an outdoor person - always have been -
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and this is one of the reasons why we're considering the move to Oz -
0:09:53 > 0:09:55so that we can spend more time outside.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57So, outdoors had been a hit,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59but the family certainly hadn't liked
0:09:59 > 0:10:01the cosy interiors of property one.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04But extra floor space was going to come at a price.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Property two was in the suburb of Durack,
0:10:08 > 0:10:1035 minutes from Darwin.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13It had a lot more space, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17but costing around £270,000
0:10:17 > 0:10:20meant it could prove a financial stretch for the Wards.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- A walk-in wardrobe. - Oh, there you go.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- Sorted.- En suite.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- DAN:- Oh, this is pretty fantastic, this, isn't it?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Great, yeah. It's really nice. - Yeah?- Yeah.- Good, good, good.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32The family liked what they were seeing,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and the bedroom's measured up for Dan.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- This is a good size, too, isn't it? - Yeah.- Yeah.- A good size.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Oh, is this your room, then, Dan?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Yeah, I think so. Yeah, just without the teddy bear.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Oh, this is fabulous.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Oh, now you're talking. Look at this.- Oh, wow.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- RACHEL:- So spacious. - Whoa! This is great.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I like this very much.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Inside had impressed,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59but would the outside live up to expectations?
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Wow.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03A pool!
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Yeah. That's a spa, isn't it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:09That'd be really good.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11You're not going to get much exercise in there, though.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12No, but you can cool down.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- Nice to just jump in and... - Cool down or...
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- REBECCA:- Cool down and hop in the Jacuzzi.- Mm.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Although it appeared to come with an unexpected guest.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Oh, it's still alive! - Does that come with the house?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I bet he can't get out, you know. That's the reality.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27We're laughing and pointing, but it's the horror...
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Do you want to rescue him? Don't fall in!
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Aw!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- He's cute.- Rachel the bug girl.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41- I prefer this.- I do like...
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I did like the garden in the last place,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46but this is much nicer.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49The house is much nicer, and you've still got a nice outdoor space.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- There's only so much grass you can stare at...- Yeah, true.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- ..before it says, "Fill me with a pool."- True.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Despite visiting wildlife,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01the house had been right up the Wards' street.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04The final property we had found for the family was a four-bedroom,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07two-bathroom house in the suburb of Woodroffe,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10half an hour from Darwin city centre.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The property offered all the space the Wards needed,
0:12:13 > 0:12:14but it was expensive.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17At around £290,000,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19both Gary and Helen would have to work full-time
0:12:19 > 0:12:22to be able to afford it.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Cor, whoa! That's amazing.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Not sure about the darkness of the place.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29No, a lick of paint would make it a bit brighter, but...
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- I mean, this is just an entertainment area, isn't it?- Mm-hm.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- It's very homely and cosy.- Yeah.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I like it.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40And the kitchen had a fun layout, too.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- Hey, look at this. It goes round. - Oh, yeah!- Wow.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- Flows well, doesn't it? - Yeah, it's excellent.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50They liked that feature,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but the location of the bedrooms wasn't as pleasing,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56and Gary was still concerned about the space.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57It's not huge, is it?
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Well, it doesn't need to be. - No, but it's not bad, really.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05This is OK, I guess, as a guest room, maybe.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Do you like it?- The other one, I liked straightaway.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10This one, I'm hoping that it's just going to have more things
0:13:10 > 0:13:13to offer than what we've seen so far.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Helen's first impressions weren't great,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17but there was still more to see.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- This has got to be our room. - Goes without saying, really.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- Definitely our room, isn't it?- Wow. - There's an en suite through there.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26This is selling it a bit more to me now.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Yeah, I like this.- It's great, yeah.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Oh, this is cool.- Pool table! Cool.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Oh, that's class. I mean, there's such potential in this area.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Do you know what I mean? To just stick a...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- You could have this as your dining area right off the kitchen. - Yeah, you could.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45And it would make the lounge and seating area
0:13:45 > 0:13:46more sort of spread round.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- Or a ballet room? - Would a horse fit in here, actually?
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Gary was trying hard to persuade Rebecca to move to Australia,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58and this outdoor feature was just what he needed.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Oh, the pool's awesome!
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- That is one nice, big pool. - Oh, this is cool.- Cor, look at that!
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- I think it's tipped the balance a little bit.- Oh, it's just...
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- That's the business, that, innit? - Yeah.- It's the dream home.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Guys, I think you'd better come here.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- What is it? - It's, like, a fitness room.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Really?- Yeah, come on. - You've got to be kidding.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21It might not be a fitness room by everyone's standards,
0:14:21 > 0:14:22but Gary was impressed.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27So, you could just get out of bed, go for about ten lengths,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29or 20, or whatever, come and lift some weights,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- and that's it, done. - Then go off to work.- Diet finished!
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Yeah.- Diet finished, pile it all back on with the barbecue.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37THEY LAUGH
0:14:37 > 0:14:40The Wards' property search in Darwin had been enlightening.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Costing £210,000, the first house in Moulden
0:14:44 > 0:14:47had proved disappointingly small for the family.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Property two, a four-bedroom house in Durack,
0:14:51 > 0:14:57was more expensive at £270,000, but it was perfect for the Wards,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59and Gary could see himself living there.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03The third house in Woodroffe had proven to be the dream home,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06with its impressive pool and large living area.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09But costing £290,000,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12it may have been just out of reach for the Wards.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17So, when it came to choosing between property in Australia and the UK,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19which way would they vote?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Australia.- England.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- Australia.- Australia.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25Australia.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- England?- England.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Australian properties have space. They've got swimming pools.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34That's generally it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- You like our house back home? - Yeah. Yeah, very much.- OK.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47With his heart set on bigger, more costly houses,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51finding the right job in Darwin would be crucial for Gary.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Back in the UK, he was a youth worker,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55helping disadvantaged children.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56It was a job he loved,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00so it was important he could find a similar set-up in Australia.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04We had arranged for Gary to visit the YMCA in Darwin,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07an organisation doing the kind of work he was used to.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I think, for me, the reason why I'm into welfare work
0:16:10 > 0:16:14and working with young people is cos I want to be making a difference.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I see there's problems and there needs to be fixes in society.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So, a job in Australia, I think what I'd be looking for
0:16:21 > 0:16:24is close to the same as you could possibly get.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30If they did move, Gary and Helen knew they would both have to work
0:16:30 > 0:16:33to afford the property and lifestyle they wanted.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36That meant home education would no longer be an option,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39so Helen and the children visited a local comprehensive
0:16:39 > 0:16:43to see what school could be like down under.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Hello.- Hello. Welcome to Darwin. - My name's Helen.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47- Rachel.- Rachel.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- Daniel.- Daniel. And Rebecca.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Yeah.- Come on in. Let's have a look at the school.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- OK.- Cool.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Both Rebecca and Dan were planning to attend sixth-form college,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59but for Rachel, going to school for the first time
0:16:59 > 0:17:01would be a massive adjustment.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06I just find it really nerve-racking, confusing,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I don't know what to expect.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Just generally, it's weird.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Back at the YMCA,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Gary was meeting community worker Raquel and some of her clients.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Hi there.- Hi, Gary. How are you? Nice to meet you.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Come and have a look through the centre.- Excellent.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Are you going to wear them?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28This is a safe environment for people to come
0:17:28 > 0:17:30so that they can come here and know that they're safe.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33And along with programmed activities, they can relax
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and they have access to things that they necessarily wouldn't at home.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Can I have a look?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- That's pretty cool.- Yeah.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43While Gary enjoyed a tour,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46the rest of the family were getting to grips with school life.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48The classrooms were empty of students,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50but there was still plenty to see,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and Rachel's first impression of Australian schools was good.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Come on in. This is the school's performing arts area.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Oh, look at this.- This is amazing. - And the students do...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04They do dance, they do drama, music.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06So, do you have the performing arts as part of the curriculum
0:18:06 > 0:18:08or is it an extracurricular activity?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- It's part of the curriculum. - I think you've sold it to her.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Yes.- Oh, OK, that's good.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Across town, Gary had some pressing questions for Raquel.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21What sort of working hours are there?
0:18:21 > 0:18:23How does it work for an employee?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27In this industry, which is working with young people,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31outside school hours is the best time,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35so we would definitely be looking for people who can work evenings
0:18:35 > 0:18:39and afternoons and some weekends, obviously flexible.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And in terms of salary, what would it attract as a starting salary?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46A starting salary, with someone with experience,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50would be anywhere from, say, 47,000 to 57,000,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53which is a fairly good salary in this area.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54That's useful to know.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57And certainly, if you work in remote areas,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59which we also do, there are other benefits
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- around those sorts of things. - Sounds good.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04Back at school,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Helen had some important questions for the headteacher
0:19:07 > 0:19:10about putting her children into mainstream education.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Well, one of the reasons we've home-educated our children so far
0:19:13 > 0:19:15is that a big concern is bullying.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Obviously, I wouldn't want my children to be subject
0:19:19 > 0:19:22to any form of bullying, whatever form that might take.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26We have no tolerance for bullying. We have things like natural justice.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So, if you're bullied by someone in the school,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32we would like to have you and them together,
0:19:32 > 0:19:33and perhaps the parents,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37so that they understand the impact of their behaviour.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39This is just... This school's just perfect.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Oh, that's great!- In every way.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it.- Thank you.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45See you later.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Helen had been reassured
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and the school had definitely won over Rachel.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54It had been a long day for everyone, but ultimately,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57much of the decision to move would rest on Gary's ability
0:19:57 > 0:20:00to find suitable work with a salary big enough
0:20:00 > 0:20:01to help support the family.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03In terms of fitting in and working there,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06it's definitely a place where I'd consider working.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It's not a million miles away from what I do now.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I think one of my concerns would be the working hours.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14It would take me away from
0:20:14 > 0:20:16what we've got into a pattern, really, in family life,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18of eating together - an evening meal -
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and doing some things in the evening.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23If needs must, I'd do it,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26but I think I'd prefer the nine-to-five job.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29So, would Gary choose work at home or away?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Based on what I've seen today at work, my vote goes to...
0:20:34 > 0:20:36..UK.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Rachel's earlier vote for the UK
0:20:43 > 0:20:45had come as a surprise for Gary and Helen,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49but they knew it was Rebecca who would prove the hardest to convince
0:20:49 > 0:20:51about moving down under.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Hopefully, a leisurely horse ride through the Australian outback
0:20:54 > 0:20:56would help them to change her mind.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Almost the whole family were at home in the saddle,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06but there was one person who preferred to keep his feet
0:21:06 > 0:21:07on the ground.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- Is anyone feeling nervous at all?- A little.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- A little bit?- Kind of. - All right, no worries. That's fine.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18HELEN GIGGLES
0:21:19 > 0:21:21There. To your left.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Look at them. There's three of them.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25A family.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Helen hoped the experience
0:21:28 > 0:21:31would help take Rebecca's mind off her horses back home.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Can you see yourself working in a place like this?
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Definitely.- Could you?- Yeah. - Suit you, wouldn't it?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- Makes me miss Shadow, though.- Does it?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's nice to be around horses.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It's been a nice change, even for me.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45There's horses everywhere, so I'm happy.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49It was a good sign, and after an action-packed day,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52it was time to vote on the Antipodean lifestyle.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55Australia.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Australia.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Australia.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Australia.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Australia.- Yay!- Wayhey!
0:22:06 > 0:22:07- That's great. - That's brilliant.- Fantastic.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14With everyone falling for the Australian lifestyle,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Helen and Gary still needed to find out if the move
0:22:17 > 0:22:19was an affordable option.
0:22:19 > 0:22:25They believed their two houses in the UK were jointly worth £270,000.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27We had sent round an estate agent
0:22:27 > 0:22:29to give them an up-to-date valuation.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31It's really weird seeing our home, isn't it, when you're over here?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Yeah.- Just bizarre.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Certainly, it's a good-sized, four-bedroom, semidetached property
0:22:38 > 0:22:40that has been extended to the side,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42adding the fourth bedroom to the ground floor.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44There's a very good-sized conservatory to the rear,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46overlooking the private rear garden.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I would consider this property to be worth
0:22:48 > 0:22:50somewhere in the region of £130,000,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and the property next door to be somewhere in the region of £110,000,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58giving a grand total of £240,000.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03- I would have thought 150 would have been the smallest amount.- Yeah.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Cos it was valued at 170 at one point, wasn't it?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- Yeah, it was. - Shows how much they've dropped.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09The properties we've seen so far in Australia
0:23:09 > 0:23:13have been valued at much higher than the price of those houses,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17so that makes quite a difference to us, really.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21It wasn't a good start.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24To find out how they'd fare financially down under,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27we had provided the Wards with a cost of living comparison.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- Stabling and feed. So, that's 225. - No, that can't be that much.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35So, what are our current running costs for the car?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- We've got it on here. - 120 a month for fuel.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39Getting stressed now.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44We've got some buying a home information.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46So, that's the mortgage on our house.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- So, that's on the first house we saw.- Really?
0:23:48 > 0:23:51So, 1,300... Oh, my goodness.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56So, it's well over double what we pay now on the mortgage.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59OK, well, we're still earning more, so...
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- Yeah.- ..it's not too bad.- Yeah.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Things were a bit more expensive than they'd expected,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07but Gary was determined to make their sums add up.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11So, it costs £1,060 more per month to live.
0:24:11 > 0:24:131,060 is...
0:24:15 > 0:24:17..195.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19So, in actual fact, budget-wise...
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- We're going to be worse off. - Yeah, only £200.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26You can cut back. You can cut back on shopping.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29You can watch your fuel bills. You can do all sorts.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Well, the biggest thing is the horse because we've said to Rebecca
0:24:31 > 0:24:35that, you know, she needs to get a job and start paying towards it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36- Absolutely. - So, that's one of the ways
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- we can cut back on our expenses. - Mm-hm.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Gary and Helen were putting on a brave face,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46but how would they vote having realised the life they dreamt of
0:24:46 > 0:24:50in Australia might prove too expensive to be a reality?
0:24:53 > 0:24:54- UK.- UK.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- UK?- Yeah, UK.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02It's obviously mathematically cheaper to live in the UK.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09The Wards' dream had taken a battering,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and there was still one more hurdle to overcome -
0:25:12 > 0:25:16the possibility of saying goodbye to loved ones back in the UK.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21The family had sat down together to watch messages from home.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Hello, Gary, Helen and the children.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Hello, gang.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Nice to be able to speak to you.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28They always seem to be enthusiastic about stuff, don't they?
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Wanting to see what the next challenge is, what's the next thing.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- Caring and supportive. - Without a doubt.- Good friends.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Gary's one of those unique people
0:25:37 > 0:25:40who really challenges the way you think about stuff,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43and he doesn't go along with the run-of-the-mill kind of way
0:25:43 > 0:25:44of thinking and seeing the world.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47He's a bit of an anarchist at heart, I think.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49You never quite know what he's going to do next,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and he's a total surprise, and I love that about Gary.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Helen has become a really good friend.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58She's a good mate to sit and have a coffee with, have a chinwag.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01She is not only my daughter, she's a very good friend.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05She's somebody I can contact and talk about all sorts of things.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07She's such a thoughtful, generous girl,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09and I love her to bits.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11- We don't want them to go... - No, we don't.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13..but that's selfish.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15When I say that, I don't want them to go,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17but in another way, I do,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20because I know it will be a better life.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- Aye, we'll miss them.- We'll miss them, you know.- We will and all.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27We love you... I can't.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31We love you and we miss you very, very much.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- God bless you.- Yeah.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37I shall miss you dreadfully if you decide to settle.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39I shall miss your company. I shall miss your fun.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43I still keep thinking of all the good times that we've had,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47thinking of the times that we've taken Jake out to the woods,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49which we won't be able to go and see any more.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51And I shall just miss all your company.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53In fact, I shall miss everything about you,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but you've got my love with you there.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I shall support you whatever you decide,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02but I've lost a good friend if you settle,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04and I love you dearly.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07We're really glad that you're actually getting a chance
0:27:07 > 0:27:09to live your dream,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11and we'll always be here if you need us.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Obviously, we know that it's best for you guys,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17but we will really miss you.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I hope you have... I hope you decide to do it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Try not to well up! Oh, goodness me!
0:27:27 > 0:27:30If you do decide to go, I wish you all the best.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32I really do.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39- I'm just touched by the nice things that they've said about us.- Mm.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46But I think they all see that this is a good move for us as a family.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51And, hopefully, they'll all get on a plane and visit us.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54It's good that we've got each other, though, isn't it?
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Messages from home had given the Wards more to think about
0:27:58 > 0:28:02as they approached the end of their roller-coaster week down under.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05The experience had been something of a wake-up call,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09and the financial impact of moving to the Northern Territory
0:28:09 > 0:28:11had left Gary questioning the dream.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Living here in Darwin, it's quite expensive,
0:28:15 > 0:28:17so, cor, that's a big...
0:28:17 > 0:28:19You know, you've got to think that stuff through
0:28:19 > 0:28:22and whether you could actually, realistically manage.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Rachel had fallen for Australian schools.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29This is just... The school's just perfect.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- That's great.- In every way.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Messages from family and friends had been tough to hear.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39It is, it's going to be really difficult.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41I'd really miss Sarah.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43I'd miss the laughs that we've had.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48And also I'd really miss my mum.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50And Rebecca was heartbroken at the thought
0:28:50 > 0:28:53of never seeing her beloved horses again.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I'm not really sure at the moment because, you know,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00although riding here is good and there is horses and stuff,
0:29:00 > 0:29:04I still have a lot to leave behind, and I'm still not totally sure.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09Rebecca - she's clearly not sure about what she wants to do.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11I've said before that if one wants to stay,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13then we all stay, so that's a big deal.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17I think she needs to make her own choice.
0:29:17 > 0:29:18With their all-or-nothing approach,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22it was difficult to guess where the family's future lay.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25So, how did they vote when it came to that final choice
0:29:25 > 0:29:27between the UK and Australia?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- ALL:- Australia!
0:29:35 > 0:29:36Was that unanimous?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Yay! We're going!
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- Good stuff. Australia. - Cool.- Well done, Becks.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- So, it's been a good week for you, then, horse-wise.- Yeah. Nice one.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02The week had proved full of ups and downs, but, ultimately,
0:30:02 > 0:30:06their taste of Australian living had done enough to convince even Rebecca
0:30:06 > 0:30:09her mum and dad had been right all along.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14Seven years on, it's time to find out what's happened since.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19It's May 2016, and the Ward family are living in...
0:30:20 > 0:30:22..Western Australia.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Having emigrated in 2012,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Gary and Helen built their own four-bedroom home
0:30:27 > 0:30:31in the area of Yanchep, 35 miles north of Perth,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34and the family all moved in just under six months ago.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38It had actually been a childhood dream to one day build a house.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40It's a rapidly developing area
0:30:40 > 0:30:43that offered the Wards more house for their money.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Moved in here, it was like a dream come true.
0:30:45 > 0:30:51When I was living in the UK, I would never have thought ever
0:30:51 > 0:30:53that I'd be living in a house like this,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56in this location, at any point.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02The modern detached house has the space Gary craved
0:31:02 > 0:31:05and the open-plan layout Helen favoured.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10So, this is the main living area.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13I wanted it to be rear-facing so that we could see the garden,
0:31:13 > 0:31:15and just, you know, be part of the outdoors,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17cos that's really what we've come for.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19We added this window here just because we just wanted more light
0:31:19 > 0:31:24to come in and, yes, just pretty much open-plan living.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26We always envisaged being hospitable,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28and we have people over quite regularly.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31We still shake our heads in wonder
0:31:31 > 0:31:34that we can live in a place like this.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38So, the other rooms - we've got the three bedrooms.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40There's Becca's room first, here on the left.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42And then we've got the activity area,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44where the girls have got their computer stations.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Rachel does her studying there and Becky does her artwork.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50It's a really useful space.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53It means that all their messy stuff is out of their bedrooms.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55You've got your toilet, your main bathroom.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57There's Dan's bedroom here.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00And finally, we've got Rachel's room in the front,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03which is probably one of the nicest of the three.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Being the youngest, she finally gets the best room.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08So, we purposefully wanted the technology
0:32:08 > 0:32:11to be out of the rooms and in an activity area
0:32:11 > 0:32:14so that it could be a really restful place for them to sleep.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22And Dan's finally got the bigger bedroom he was after.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24It's just amazing. I love the area, as well.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27It's quite close to the outback, really,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30so you could walk in one direction and just be in bush everywhere.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32So, it's, yeah, a great place to live.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36The family have come a long way
0:32:36 > 0:32:39since their trial week in Darwin seven years ago.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42When the vote happened and we were turning the cards round
0:32:42 > 0:32:44and everyone seemed to say Australia,
0:32:44 > 0:32:45it was kind of a unanimous front.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Everyone was sort of like, "Yeah, let's do it,"
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and we were sort of like,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51"As soon as we can make this happen, we'll get back."
0:32:51 > 0:32:53- Dan?- Chai latte.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Hot chocolate, if you've got one. - And...?
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- Chai latte?- OK, chai latte.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Unfortunately, the reality took a bit longer than expected.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08After spending months upgrading his qualifications in youth work,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Gary discovered his profession was no longer
0:33:10 > 0:33:13at the top of the skills shortage list.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16So, it took three whole years to get in,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19and some of that time was spent just wondering
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- whether we were actually going to leave the country, wasn't it?- Mm.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Gary eventually secured sponsorship from Western Australia,
0:33:27 > 0:33:31and the family's visa finally came through in 2012.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33It was a relief because we thought,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36"Well, we've got it. This is it now."
0:33:36 > 0:33:39But oldest daughter Rebecca was less excited.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42We were just, like, suddenly going to Australia,
0:33:42 > 0:33:47and any sort of ties you've put down and roots you've put down,
0:33:47 > 0:33:51you'll have to dig them up again, so that was difficult.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54With extended family already living in Perth,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58the couple agreed Gary would make the move first.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01So, we decided it would make sense for Gary to come on his own,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05and the deal was, you've got eight weeks to find a job,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07and then we'll join you.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09If not, you come back and we forget it.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Fortunately, everything went according to plan.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16A couple of weeks before I flew out,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I'd had an interview with a youth work company,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22and it turns out that, when I landed,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25there was an e-mail waiting for me to go into the office.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26I got a job the first day.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32With the green light in place,
0:34:32 > 0:34:36Helen spent the following weeks wrapping up their life in the UK.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It was really busy. Just really, really busy.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41And he'd be phoning me up and I'd be like, "I'm just too busy.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45"I can't really give you any time. I've got all this packing to do."
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Helen and the children followed Gary two months later,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50and almost four years on,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54the memory of saying goodbye to loved ones is still hard to recall.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58It was difficult for all of us.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01I think, when it comes to that final goodbye,
0:35:01 > 0:35:02and it's the reality of
0:35:02 > 0:35:06we don't know when we're going to see these people again.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08That's when it's tough.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12It was pretty bittersweet
0:35:12 > 0:35:14because we'd been waiting so long to move here,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18so it was kind of like, "Finally! I'm so ready for this."
0:35:18 > 0:35:20But also, when you're moving that far,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22you're leaving behind a lot, as well.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26The girls took leaving the UK in their stride.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- It was the day of reckoning. - SHE LAUGHS
0:35:29 > 0:35:32And we'd been coming up to this day and for weeks and weeks,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35we were thinking, "This day's never going to come, you know?"
0:35:35 > 0:35:37But then, obviously, once we were on the plane,
0:35:37 > 0:35:38there was nothing more we could do.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40We were going. There was no going back.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43'Hi, we're in Australia and...'
0:35:46 > 0:35:48And when they all touched down in Perth,
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Gary was relieved to finally have his family back by his side.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55It was a wonderful time for me
0:35:55 > 0:35:58because the house was suddenly filled with, you know, people
0:35:58 > 0:36:03who I love and care for, you know, and it was just amazing.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06For the first week, I was just sort of sleeping,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08drawing and reading.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11I didn't feel very homesick, which was weird.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16But it wasn't long before Rebecca was having second thoughts.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21I had a few regrets, such as, obviously, the horses, friends.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23I should probably put the friends in front of the horses!
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Friends, the horses...
0:36:25 > 0:36:27- SHE LAUGHS - Obviously, family.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29'She's going round the buoy!
0:36:29 > 0:36:32'You've been doing this for about ten minutes!'
0:36:32 > 0:36:36But then it was also bittersweet because it was...
0:36:36 > 0:36:38It was really enjoyable to be here, as well,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41and all that we'd worked for, we'd finally got here.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Within days of arriving, Helen secured a full-time job
0:36:47 > 0:36:52as a sample machinist at a couture bridal house in Perth.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I did a two-day trial with them and loved the place straightaway.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58And, yeah, thankfully, they offered me the job.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04Having been home-taught in the UK, Rachel started school soon after.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09I was very apprehensive, and when I was a lot younger
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and I was, you know, starting to think about going to school,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14I was very apprehensive about bullying.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16That didn't actually happen.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19I didn't get bullied, which was great.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21I made a lot of friends,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and my whole year group was very, very supportive with me.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Almost four years on, Rachel has graduated from year 12
0:37:30 > 0:37:33and is looking forward to her future career.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35I've now started university,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and I'm planning to become a teacher,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42teaching secondary art, so I'm getting there.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44That's very exciting and very fun.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Dan has also self-funded himself
0:37:50 > 0:37:54to do a degree in psychology and counselling.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Settling into student life in Australia,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58it was pretty terrifying at first
0:37:58 > 0:38:00because I hadn't actually been to a university.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02I'd studied long-distance in England,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05but actually going there was a big experience.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08You know, a massive change.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13Oldest daughter Rebecca is now working towards her dream career
0:38:13 > 0:38:14as a veterinary nurse.
0:38:16 > 0:38:17What do you say?
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Moving here has really done wonders for my confidence.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21I've been able to just step out and go,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23"You know what? I'm just going to try it."
0:38:23 > 0:38:27And it's just become an incredible part of my life.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31I always knew she'd end up working with animals, somehow or other,
0:38:31 > 0:38:36and it's just good to see her excelling and doing well.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Gary changed jobs in 2015
0:38:40 > 0:38:43and now combines church work with working two days a week
0:38:43 > 0:38:45for a local community housing project.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49I work with young people who have experienced challenging situations.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53So, to me, it's a job, but it's also a mission.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It's a little bit of a mission. I'm that way wired,
0:38:56 > 0:38:59and I like doing that kind of thing in the community.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Helen's still doing the same job she started almost four years ago,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and having previously worked from home,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10she's settled into full-time employment.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It was quite different, and it took a while to adjust
0:39:14 > 0:39:17for me and the kids. But all in all, I think everyone's done really well.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19We just value the time when we are together.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- Hi.- How's it going?- Yeah.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Oh, this is looking beautiful.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30And she has no plans to move on.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32I love my job here and I just...
0:39:32 > 0:39:35I don't have any ambitions beyond this, really.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- We joined them, yeah. - Joined them. Perfect.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- And the underlining is in the nude...- Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Stunning.- I mean, it's a lovely, friendly bunch of girls,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and the work is rewarding cos, at the end of the day,
0:39:46 > 0:39:47you see your dresses,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50the finished product, on brides, and they always look stunning.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55When they aren't all working,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57the Wards are making the most of their new surroundings.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02For me, the best thing about being in Australia
0:40:02 > 0:40:03has got to be the weather.
0:40:05 > 0:40:072-0!
0:40:07 > 0:40:10And being able just to go up to the lagoon and have a swim.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I still pinch myself every time.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16And if I go with Gary, I look at him and I say,
0:40:16 > 0:40:17"Gary, we live here."
0:40:19 > 0:40:21We do get glum days here,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23but we know that there's going to be months and months and months
0:40:23 > 0:40:26of guaranteed sun, and that's a key for Helen,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29and it's a key for me, as well, because,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32well, what's there not to like about a sunny day?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34One thing, Brian. One thing.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36- One.- One.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- THEY LAUGH - One.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41There's no doubt that the life here
0:40:41 > 0:40:44is better than the life we had back at home.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47And the people here are so relaxed and friendly
0:40:47 > 0:40:50and I've managed to make some incredible friends.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53The jobs, as well, the work ethic that people have here,
0:40:53 > 0:40:54it's wonderful.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58The only drawback is the lifestyle they adore
0:40:58 > 0:41:01is on the other side of the world from the people they love.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Well, recently, my grandparents were actually able
0:41:03 > 0:41:06to come round here and visit, which was great to see them.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08But once again, once they leave again,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11you know, it's really tough. You know, it gets very emotional.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16On the plus side, Rachel's recently got engaged to her boyfriend Brian,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19which means the Wards have a whole new family to get to know.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23It's getting a lot easier because I've got my fiance
0:41:23 > 0:41:25and I'm kind of integrating into his family
0:41:25 > 0:41:27and it's a lot of fun.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Despite the distance from the UK,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Helen and Gary are very much at home down under.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38I mean, initially, we would talk about back home,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40but that stopped quite a while ago.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43This is home now, here up in Yanchep.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Rebecca has come to terms with being on the other side of the world
0:41:47 > 0:41:48from her beloved horses.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52I think my future does lie in this country.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Whether it's always going to be Perth,
0:41:54 > 0:41:55it's really hard to tell,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58but I don't think it'll be back in England.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01And Dan and Rachel are confident
0:42:01 > 0:42:04the country is where their future lies, too.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Australia is definitely home now. I feel it's absolutely my home.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17It's all here. There's... I won't go back to England.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19No. Only for family. Only to visit.
0:42:21 > 0:42:27All in all, life down under has exceeded everyone's expectations.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29We are living the dream right now.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32There's nothing more that I could wish for.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42We feel like we've arrived in the place that we should be
0:42:42 > 0:42:43and that we're actually home.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Almost four years after they left the UK,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03it looks like the Wards really are living a dream life
0:43:03 > 0:43:06by the beach in Australia.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09We wish Gary, Helen, Dan, Rebecca and Rachel
0:43:09 > 0:43:14a really happy future in the country they plan to call home
0:43:14 > 0:43:16for a very long time to come.