0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to Wanted Down Under Revisited.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Today, we're catching up with the Warner family
0:00:09 > 0:00:13who we first met back in 2006 when we gave them the chance
0:00:13 > 0:00:17to sample the lifestyle in Queensland, Australia.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22The Warners from Oxfordshire spent ten years dreaming of emigrating to Australia.
0:00:22 > 0:00:28But both dad Bob and mum Libby knew it would be a huge decision, and they were worried.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32I've never been to Australia so I've no idea what it's like.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35But I'm sure it's as wonderful as everybody else says.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38So, I'm basically putting a lot of faith in other people's opinions.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Youngest daughter Sophie was keen.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44We can do loads of activities outside.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48We can walk our dogs, we can go surf-boarding.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50But her sister Emily didn't want to go.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53I'm not looking forward to it at all. I'm dreading it.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57The Warners were risking everything to fulfil their Australian dream.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03And what looked like an easy choice on paper quickly became the hardest decision of their lives.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06For me, my family is the most important thing.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10And I don't want to come here just to please me.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13So, were the Warners able to choose Australia?
0:01:13 > 0:01:15I think this is Dad's idea
0:01:15 > 0:01:19of a wonderful country.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21But it's not mine.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27In 2009, we caught up with them to find out if they really did make the move,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31or if loved ones in the UK proved just too hard to leave behind.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Wanted Down Under puts British families
0:01:58 > 0:02:03to the ultimate test by giving them the chance to try life in Australia.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09They have just one week to find out about homes, work and lifestyle
0:02:09 > 0:02:12before voting on their future.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14But what happened next?
0:02:14 > 0:02:19We caught up with some of our original families to find out where they are now.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26In 2006, the Warners from Oxfordshire
0:02:26 > 0:02:28were facing a life-changing decision -
0:02:28 > 0:02:32whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37We gave them a week to experience all aspects of life Down Under,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41but was it everything they'd hoped for?
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Life for Libby, Bob, Emily and Sophie Warner in Oxfordshire
0:02:45 > 0:02:48was a stressful cycle of school for everyone,
0:02:48 > 0:02:53with little quality time left over for friends, hobbies and pets.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59I teach all day inside. Get in the car, come home and I'm stuck indoors again.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I just want to break that routine.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07Libby and Bob were teachers and they dreamt of escaping to Australia.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10They'd finally got the chance to try it out for real.
0:03:10 > 0:03:17The salaries they could earn there were roughly the same as the UK, about £20,000 a year in 2006.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19But the cost of living was much less.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22The beauty is, because house prices are cheaper there,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25we can sell this place and buy outright and there's no mortgage.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Libby was the main visa applicant. She was more eligible than Bob
0:03:29 > 0:03:33because she's younger, so she was the one who'd be looking for a job first.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38She retrained as a religious studies teacher in the hope of getting a good job.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44I'm hoping that teaching in Australia is not quite as stressed as it is here.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But I'm fully prepared for it to be as stressful as it is here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52But moving to the other side of the world would have meant leaving friends and family behind,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54maybe never to see them again.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Could they really have coped with such a wrench?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Sophie's fine, because she's still fairly young.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Emily, it's a little bit harder for her because she's made good friends here.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Emily's had some tears lately.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11But I'm confident that once she gets there, she'll be fine.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Emily wasn't convinced that moving to Australia would be a good thing.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19She didn't want to leave her friends in the UK.
0:04:19 > 0:04:26I'm not looking forward to leaving all my friends and family here. I'm going to miss them a lot.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Choosing between the UK and Australia
0:04:29 > 0:04:34was a huge decision for all of them, and with Emily so set against it, it was important that Libby
0:04:34 > 0:04:39found the right job so they could afford the lifestyle they wanted.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44You know, I'm going, and I'm going to work as a teacher, in my mind.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46My concern is that won't be able to happen.
0:04:52 > 0:04:59To help Bob and Libby consider the huge risk they'd be taking, we sent them to Queensland.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02There were three different lifestyles to choose from.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07One in the city, one in the country, and one on the coast.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12Each option included a job offer for main visa applicant Libby.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Option one was on the Gold Coast, a coastal resort south of Brisbane.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20The natural beauty and great weather
0:05:20 > 0:05:24make it the sports and outdoor activity capital of Australia.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Houses in this area were relatively inexpensive for Queensland,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32averaging around £150,000 in 2006.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36If you'd headed for the hinterland behind the coast, your money
0:05:36 > 0:05:40would have gone a lot further, as land got cheaper.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44All Saints Anglican is a church-run school.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47In 2006, there were 1,600 children studying there.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52Wages were higher than state schools, at around £25,000 a year.
0:05:52 > 0:05:58Head Patrick Wallace was keen to convince Libby it was the school for her.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Libby, Bob, Emily, Sophie, hello, welcome to All Saints Anglican School.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It's a beautiful corner of the Gold Coast.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10Libby, if you were to come and work with us here, I think you'd really enjoy it.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13It's a very happy staff. The kids seem to love coming here.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Lovely open spaces, great facilities.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20So, Libby, I really hope you'll come and join us. You'll never regret it.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Option two was the city of Brisbane,
0:06:24 > 0:06:29state capital of Queensland and home to nearly 2 million people.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33A new city even by Aussie standards, it blends clean and spacious suburbs
0:06:33 > 0:06:36with all the buzz of a thriving city.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40While houses had become more expensive in 2006,
0:06:40 > 0:06:45it was still possible to buy a charming traditional, wooden Queenslander
0:06:45 > 0:06:50with the essential deck for entertaining, barbecuing and just enjoying the outdoors.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Upper Coomera State College lies in the city suburb.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57In 2006, it had around 2,000 pupils.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Its core ethos is to help all students achieve their potential.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Hi, Libby. I'm Lee Callum, the college director of Upper Coomera State College.
0:07:05 > 0:07:11We only opened three and a half years ago, and we already have 2,200 students.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And because we're brand new, we have facilities that are just phenomenal.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18We have a wonderful, wonderful staff of about 200, and they just love it here.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23We've got an English teacher who came and settled in so quickly, it's fantastic.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25And we love him and want him to stay.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28This school was on the lookout for talented new teachers in 2006.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32The atmosphere in Upper Coomera State College is lovely.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34It's a very happy, friendly environment.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38We say to parents, when your children come to Upper Coomera State College,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42we want them to go home at the end of the day saying, "School was fun, I enjoyed it and it was meaningful."
0:07:42 > 0:07:46So Libby, if you come to the college and join us,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49you'll have a great time and be with these fabulous students.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52THEY ALL CHEER
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Option three, Surfers' Paradise,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59earns its name every day of the year.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02If it's beaches you're after, you could do worse than these.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Houses here were generally more modern and cheaper
0:08:05 > 0:08:09than the traditional wooden homes that are the trademark of Brisbane.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Apartment living was becoming more popular as people wanted to enjoy
0:08:13 > 0:08:16the cafes and restaurants of a city beach environment.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23The Southport School is a stunning and impressive-looking private day and boarding school for boys only.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27In 2006, head Greg Wayne was keen to add Libby to his staff.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Good morning, Libby and family.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33My name is Greg Wayne, headmaster of the Southport School.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We have two British families here, the chaplain is British,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and the director of sport. They both live on site.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42They like to teach here because of the resources that we provide,
0:08:42 > 0:08:47the grounds, the location, the swimming pool, the proximity to the beach.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51And they tell me that our boys here are very well behaved, very disciplined, but lots
0:08:51 > 0:08:55of spirit and a spirit of adventure, which you'd expect from Aussie kids.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59So they certainly enjoy teaching here, and I'm sure you will too.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Working here would have delivered a higher-than-average Australian teacher's salary.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11I don't think anyone could resist the temptation of coming here and joining us for a period at TSS.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15We look forward to welcoming you and your family. Thank you.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20The Warners tried Queensland city lifestyle with a week in Brisbane.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24A job at a recently opened school looked great for Libby.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27And Bob fancied the city lifestyle.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29But did it live up to their expectations?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32The Warners were heading off to Brisbane with high hopes
0:09:32 > 0:09:35for their potential job and lifestyle in the sun.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41But, after a 22-hour flight, they were all happy to finally get there.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Hi, you all right? - I'm just so excited to be here.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I just can't wait to have a look around Brisbane.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50But Libby and Emily were already having second thoughts.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I want to make sure it lives up to his expectations, really.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59It's the furthest I've been away from home. But it's exciting, yeah.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06The Warners were staying in the kind of family home they could afford in the heart of the city.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10At £200 a week in 2006, it was about the same as you'd have expected
0:10:10 > 0:10:16to pay in the UK, only in Oz, you'd have got a lot more space for your buck,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21and the whole family were knocked out by their first impressions of Brisbane.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Look at the size of that fridge!
0:10:24 > 0:10:27That's a fridge, isn't it?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Well, this is just a regular Australian fridge. We like to eat.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34I've got it!
0:10:34 > 0:10:39There's palm trees. And this is the middle of winter now. I can't wait to get that visa through now.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Ten years and it's finally here.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44I love, love this place.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Once they had settled in, the family's first task
0:10:48 > 0:10:54was to find out about the kind of house they really could afford if they were to move here forever.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02For families considering making a life-changing move to Australia,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05it's vital to find the right place to call home.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Put in the research and have an ideal wish-list to find your dream house.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12House prices have escalated considerably in Australia
0:11:12 > 0:11:16over the past ten years, but generally you can expect
0:11:16 > 0:11:20to get more house for your money than in the UK.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22The property market is on the rise again,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25and not everyone can afford to buy outright,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28so consider your mortgage and the repayments carefully.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31So, what could your money buy you now?
0:11:31 > 0:11:35The average property in Sydney costs around £315,000.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41- But it's a good deal cheaper in Adelaide and Brisbane - ,- at around £235,000.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45In 2006, finding the right home that they could afford,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49and settling in quickly, was a vital consideration for the Warner family,
0:11:49 > 0:11:54especially if they were to persuade daughter Emily to make the move.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58The Warners were considering leaving behind this small three-bed semi
0:11:58 > 0:12:01in the market town of Witney in Oxfordshire.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05It was worth about £185,000 in 2006.
0:12:05 > 0:12:12They would have about £150,000 to spend on a new home in order to be mortgage-free. If they'd found
0:12:12 > 0:12:19the right jobs, they could have expected to earn around £40,000 a year, if they'd both taught.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24So, finding the right home for the right price would have given them much more disposable income.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Seeing what was on offer was vital to help them with their ultimate decision.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36In 2006, we picked three houses within their price bracket.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39But did that persuade the Warners to move Down Under?
0:12:40 > 0:12:43The first property was a four-bedroom bungalow
0:12:43 > 0:12:46in the Warners' dream Brisbane suburb, Beenleigh.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50With three reception rooms plus plenty of outside space,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54it was on the market for only £130,000 in 2006.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56That was well within their budget.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58This is what we imagined when we were back in the UK.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02That you would have your seating area with patio windows off it.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07Space isn't such a problem in Australia, so even in a relatively small house like this, rooms are
0:13:07 > 0:13:13generally bigger than in the UK, and most people make the best use they can of the good climate.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And this is where they eat a lot in summer. They have the barbies.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21They would also have got a nice open-plan designer kitchen with some great views.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Look at the view from here, you can see the mountains and hills across.
0:13:25 > 0:13:32It was a good start. But Libby and Bob thought that life in Beenleigh was a bit too urban for their taste.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Because this hasn't got a pool, we need to find somewhere that has got a pool, don't we?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So, what about property number two?
0:13:39 > 0:13:44The second place was also in Beenleigh, but this one was a bit bigger, so it was on sale
0:13:44 > 0:13:47at £215,000 back in 2006.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50To afford this, they would have needed to get
0:13:50 > 0:13:52an Australian mortgage.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Like the first house, the rooms were a good size
0:13:54 > 0:14:00and designed for open-plan living on a scale you wouldn't have found for this money in the UK.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03And there were good reasons why it was a little more expensive.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It had a fabulous kitchen, four bedrooms,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09double lock-up garage, and the all-important pool.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11This is called a creepy-crawly.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- I'm intrigued.- He cleans the pool.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16So you haven't got to do any brushing and cleaning.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I like that. I do like that.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22It also had a garden of half an acre, great for Bob's dream
0:14:22 > 0:14:24of a more outdoor lifestyle,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28with views on to the Albert River that were stunning.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The vendors were Brits returning to the UK after ten years in Oz.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It was the first contact that Bob and Libby had had with expats,
0:14:35 > 0:14:40and they were impressed by how easy it was for them to take to the Aussie lifestyle.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I think you'll probably find once you build up your friends over here, if you decide
0:14:44 > 0:14:47to move over here and your circle of friends builds up,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49they do a lot more entertaining at home
0:14:49 > 0:14:52rather than going to the pub which we probably do more in England.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56At the time, it gave them food for thought, especially as, to have
0:14:56 > 0:14:59afforded this house, Libby would have needed to find a good job.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05But they were very impressed with just how far your money could go here.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09I hope that you make the right decision and you find what you're looking for.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14You've got no worries on that score because we'd definitely look after this! This is superb.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18The big question is, can we come on holidays and visit you?!
0:15:18 > 0:15:19You can come back and visit us.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25And what could they have afforded if they were willing to really splash out on a big property?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Could they really have stretched to a house like this?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31I'll take you down through...
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I'm blown away.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38It was brand new and on the market for half a million Aussie dollars,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42that was only about £200,000 in 2006.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Like the previous one, they'd have needed a mortgage,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- but look what they would have got. - Wow.- I'm just blown away.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50It's so imposing.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53It's like a big stately home, almost.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00Six bedrooms, three massive bathrooms, and a kitchen to die for.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Oh, look at that!
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Wow, this is fantastic!
0:16:09 > 0:16:13This is something which they don't see in England.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Unless it's a very big important person who's got lots of money.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Over here, this is affordable.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23They would both have had to find good jobs to be able to afford the mortgage on this one.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Still, it had got them thinking.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29The houses were great but could they afford what they were dreaming of?
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- This is just beautiful, thank you so very much for taking the time to show us.- That's all right.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36So hopefully we'll come round with a cheque!
0:16:36 > 0:16:41After a family consultation, it was left to Sophie to show the family's decision.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44A house in the UK or one in Oz?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Australia!
0:16:48 > 0:16:52We've caught up with Libby, Emily, Sophie and Bob
0:16:52 > 0:16:56to find out if they really did change their lives and make the move.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59So, where are they now?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02ALL: Australia!
0:17:02 > 0:17:05But they've decided that Brisbane wasn't for them
0:17:05 > 0:17:10and have settled in the picturesque suburb of Reynella East in Adelaide, South Australia.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14It's only minutes from the beach, two miles from the centre of town,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and Emily and Sophie's schools are nearby.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19So let's see how they've settled in.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Welcome.- Lovely to see you, do come and have a look around.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Costing £140,000 in 2007,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30they've really made this four-bedroom, two-bathroom house their home.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34And it's perfectly situated with views over the adjacent park.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39But their first experience of Aussie living was far from happy.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43When we first arrived, we had short-term accommodation
0:17:43 > 0:17:46that was absolutely hideous. We really hated it.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51And it was the only time for me when I absolutely seriously thought about leaving Australia,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55I thought, "I didn't spend two days on a plane for this."
0:17:55 > 0:17:59We spent one day going around and then found this place,
0:17:59 > 0:18:04thought it would be out of budget and were absolutely thrilled to bits when we found it was OK.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09It made a big difference for the girls and how well they settled down.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13So, although at the time I thought we were mad to commit to a house
0:18:13 > 0:18:15so soon when we hadn't looked around,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19in hindsight, for the girls, it was the best thing we could have done.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24When we bought this house... The house-buying process is a lot quicker in Australia, isn't it?
0:18:24 > 0:18:26From the point of us agreeing to buy the place...
0:18:26 > 0:18:30We put down a 10% deposit and then we completed within three weeks.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Whereas in the UK, it goes on forever.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36It's finished to a really high standard with all mod cons.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It took them a while to get it just right for them
0:18:39 > 0:18:41and this didn't come cheap.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- We have spent quite a lot of money. - A lot.- In terms of dollars, I suppose we spent about 70,000?
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- Mm.- All in.- Easy.- Doing the floors, putting the pool in the back,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- completely redoing the kitchen... - Painting. Walls knocked down.
0:18:55 > 0:19:01- We had the spa and the electrics done.- Oh, yes, the spa. We also had
0:19:01 > 0:19:07- tri-fold doors put in.- Yeah, they were a fortune.- They were expensive. So, yeah, about 70,000?- Yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Well, it might have cost a small fortune but the house looks great.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13So, come on, let's have a look around.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17We're going to show you now the family room, so if you walk this way...
0:19:19 > 0:19:24This is our family area. And we tend to spend most of our time here.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27My pride and joy is just in the corner here, that's the plasma.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32I can see every Premiership game here so I stay up till, like, three, four, five o'clock
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- watching football on a Saturday evening, don't I?- Yeah.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38And then I have about two hours' sleep and I go and play golf.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43Which is fantastic. And the other thing which was fantastic was The Ashes Series when England won 2-1.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- That was quite good.- I love cricket And when England won, we were over the moon, weren't we?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Yeah, there was a lot of cheering in this house.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I hope you were careful with the celebrations, though, Bob -
0:19:54 > 0:19:56the Aussies take it all pretty seriously!
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Outside, they have a sporting venue of their own -
0:20:01 > 0:20:05a 20ft pool with raised decking area, perfect to cool off
0:20:05 > 0:20:08after a nerve-racking Test Match.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I'll show you the outside, which has changed massively since we've been here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Lib, d'you want to open the doors?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16But they've had some scares.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18When me and Keith were doing the pool...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21There are some cappings on the pool which are hollow
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and as I pulled one off... Well, it wasn't me, Keith found one -
0:20:24 > 0:20:30a big red-back in there. Horrendous. Get bitten by one of those, you get hospitalised on a lot of occasions.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32So that was a shocker, that was a shocker.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36But we decided early we wanted to get rid of all the grass.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Especially with the water restrictions, we figured, "Better off not having any grass."
0:20:40 > 0:20:44What happens here, you get to November and the weather... It's really hot, there's no rain.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50- And all the grass goes brown, doesn't it?- Mm-hm.- And then it just blows away. So you got no grass.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53So we figured, "Let's get rid of all the grass," which we've done now.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57No grass? Don't worry, as there's plenty to be seen nearby.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07This is our bedroom. And, um, like the other bedrooms that overlook
0:21:07 > 0:21:10the reserve, we've got this fantastic view,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12which we're really lucky to have.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- This is brilliant for the dogs. - The dogs love it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19As I'm not working during the day, I can look out, if the reserve's empty, just get the two dogs
0:21:19 > 0:21:21and let them run round the reserve.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25And it was those new additions to the family that really helped them settle in.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31When we had been in the UK, the girls had asked for pets frequently,
0:21:31 > 0:21:36and we just said, "We don't have the opportunities to have a pet." It wasn't really fair.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41'However, we had always said to the girls that if we did get to Australia
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'then we would get a dog. When we actually arrived and then bought them a dog,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48'it was for them a symbol of the fact that we were here for the long term.'
0:21:48 > 0:21:51And then when Sophie came home from school,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55she walked in and she saw the puppy and she said, "Is this our forever dog?"
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Oh, I burst into tears. I thought it was such a cute thing to say.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03But forever is a long time and although they clearly love their new dogs,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07now they live in Australia, is it all that they expected?
0:22:12 > 0:22:19Whether you see yourself as a beach bum, an outback adventurer or a metropolitan culture vulture,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Australia could offer you the life of your dreams.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26But you'll need some cash to splash on the life you aspire to
0:22:26 > 0:22:30as the cost of living in Australia is not as cheap as many people assume.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33It really depends on your circumstances.
0:22:33 > 0:22:39You have to take into account health insurance, the cost of imported goods and food,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and although the weather is better, what you save in heating bills,
0:22:42 > 0:22:44you might spend on air-con.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45For the Warner family,
0:22:45 > 0:22:52this was a vital consideration in deciding if they really could afford to improve their lifestyle
0:22:52 > 0:22:56without having to work every hour just to make ends meet.
0:22:57 > 0:23:04Back in 2006, Libby and Bob headed for the local supermarket to try to fill that enormous fridge.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07And they were in for another pleasant surprise.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11The tropical climate meant most fresh fruit and veg was much cheaper
0:23:11 > 0:23:17than in the UK. And Bob was knocked out by the size of the portions.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22This is 29 dollars 59 which is about...
0:23:22 > 0:23:26about £12 for all that meat, and that is really heavy.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Wow, that really was cheap!
0:23:29 > 0:23:32But Libby was not convinced the Aussie diet was for her.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Can't find any bacon so we can have a bacon butty.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40I would like to say that I'm brave enough to try totally Aussie fare,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44but that would be a bit of a lie because the kangaroo idea, I don't think we can cope with that.
0:23:44 > 0:23:50Each to their own and, you never know, Skippy might really taste that good.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Time for the painful parting with cash.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57But in 2006 it was a lot less than it would have been back home.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02It was a vital exercise to make sure they could have afforded the luxuries they were used to.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07We've got a big trolleyful that would have cost us about £100-£110.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12So that was about £70 so it's about £40-£45 cheaper.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18Which is almost, it's a trolley and a half, you know, it's another half a trolley. So, so far so good.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Well, the food was certainly cheaper,
0:24:20 > 0:24:25but did the family think Aussie supermarkets were better than the ones at home?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28What do we all think of Australian shopping?
0:24:28 > 0:24:33I think there was more variety from the fruit and vegetables, and the meat was a good price.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I was pleased by price cos it was about half the price.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39So, we've decided, it's got to be...
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- Australia.- ..Australian shopping.
0:24:44 > 0:24:50Now the Warners have taken the plunge and are living the Australian dream for real.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56Settling in to their new life has been a struggle, and completing the family with dogs Alfie and Del Boy
0:24:56 > 0:24:59has been essential to make them all feel at home.
0:24:59 > 0:25:06The local meadows are the perfect place to take a walk and reflect on the journey they've taken together.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09'During our first year,'
0:25:09 > 0:25:15in Australia, there was a lot of changes, and the girls particularly seemed to suffer with homesickness.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19And relationships, particularly with Emily, were very, very difficult.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24I don't think it was helped by the fact that they had five addresses in less than a year.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28We moved out of our place in the UK into a short-term rental
0:25:28 > 0:25:33and then in a couple of places in Adelaide and then finally buying our own place.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39However, whilst we'd got the dog, once we'd got one of the dogs, that seemed to help settle them
0:25:39 > 0:25:44because it was almost like we'd given them roots. And then once we'd bought a house,
0:25:44 > 0:25:49they really started to settle then, particularly because they really liked the school.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52And so that really made a difference in helping them feel settled.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55And then their moods improved, which made it much easier.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58And the girls are growing up fast.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03Emily has a young man - six months - called Alex.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08He's 6ft 4 and still growing, which is scary.
0:26:08 > 0:26:14He is very sweet. He is very sweet and he's, you know...
0:26:14 > 0:26:19You don't really want to say that you like a boyfriend that your daughter has,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22but, yeah, you do like this boyfriend.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27But Emily and the whole family have been through some very testing times.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33Emily, a couple of years ago, was told that she had a goitre underneath her thyroid gland.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37But there was no problem with it and it didn't seem to be doing much.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42And then in May, she complained that she felt it had grown
0:26:42 > 0:26:46and it was affecting her breathing slightly.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51So we saw the doctor who arranged a scan
0:26:51 > 0:26:56and they said they'd managed to eliminate one form of cancer, but not others.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58So they were going to take out...
0:26:58 > 0:27:03certainly half of her thyroid gland which was definitely affected.
0:27:03 > 0:27:10And if, when they did the operation, they found that the other half of her thyroid gland looked suspicious,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13then they were going to take that out as well.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17And it was just absolutely terrifying.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And our friends here were absolutely fabulous,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24but at the same time, it made you very conscious of the time difference,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27because I wanted to get on the phone and talk to my sister and my aunt.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31But there's an 8½ hour time difference so you can't do that at the drop of a hat.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36And, um, that was definitely hard for us and hard for them as well.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41They wanted to be here to support us.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43It was a very, very scary time, wasn't it?
0:27:43 > 0:27:49It was. A week after the operation, we had to wait to know whether it was benign or whatever.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52And thank goodness, it was.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56- Yeah.- So that week was really horrendous, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00That's when you become conscious of being so far away from your family,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03like you said, with the time difference.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06You can speak to people on Skype, but it's not the same, is it?
0:28:06 > 0:28:11No and it's really hard on Skype because they're so near and yet so far, so to speak.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14You can see them and it's almost like it's only a...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Yeah, you just want to reach out.
0:28:17 > 0:28:24- I think that was the toughest point. - That was the low point, since we've been here.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Their dream life has been sorely tested by the reality of Emily's illness.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33And separation from loved ones back in the UK has never been felt more.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37We'll see the strength of this emotion when we show them
0:28:37 > 0:28:40new messages from their friends and family later.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Working in Australia won't necessarily bring the life change you expect,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52but it might give you the time and lifestyle you've dreamt of.
0:28:52 > 0:28:57Remember, though, it's a culture of work hard, play hard.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00So don't come expecting the easy life.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05Once you've got a visa and made the move, you'll have to get used to some new work practices and methods.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10For Libby Warner, getting used to a new school system might take some time.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14But being able to keep her pupils interested is a transferable skill.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18You'll be earning Aussie dollars so you may see a wage drop,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21but if you can get the all-important work-life balance,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25you might find you've made the best move of your life.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31Back in the UK in 2006, Libby Warner had retrained as a Religious Studies teacher
0:29:31 > 0:29:36in the hope of getting a good job in Oz. If their dream of a new life in Oz was going to become a reality,
0:29:36 > 0:29:42it was vital that Libby, the main visa applicant, could find a good job.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44She looked round Upper Coomera,
0:29:44 > 0:29:48probably the closest match to the school she taught at back in Oxfordshire.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50And she was in for a welcome she'd never dreamt of.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Good morning, students.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57We are very pleased to welcome our special guest, Mrs Warner, who's an English teacher.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03- They certainly liked her. - ..Thank you so very much.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04I just can't believe it!
0:30:04 > 0:30:09They all seemed to know so much about each other. They were talking so positively about each other.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13It's not that our kids don't. But I've just never seen an assembly like that before.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It was just brilliant.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20After her presentation, Libby got a guided tour of the school.
0:30:20 > 0:30:25It is a fun activity. One of the things it encourages is team-building.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27So the idea is they work as a team.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30They don't stand on the ground and they get from one point to the other.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34They're having a fun time. They're enjoying the sunshine.
0:30:34 > 0:30:41She liked what she saw, but she was concerned there didn't seem to be any provision for her subject,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Religious Studies.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45While Libby got down to teaching,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Bob and the girls were off to find out what the local mall had to offer.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Dad, look! Look! Puppies.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Back home, they had a guinea pig and a chinchilla.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01If they were to move to Australia, there was no way they could have afforded the £3,000
0:31:01 > 0:31:03it would have cost to ship their pets.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08It would have been a huge wrench, especially for pet-mad Sophie.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- Isn't she lovely?- Aw, it likes you.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19But, as their trial week progressed, Bob got increasingly worried about Emily.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21She'd always been dead-set against the move
0:31:21 > 0:31:25and her first thoughts were about what to buy her friends back home.
0:31:25 > 0:31:31Bethany, I'm missing her birthday so I'm under orders to buy her a present.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- Do you want to get something from here?- Yeah.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Back at school, Libby was enjoying meeting the children,
0:31:38 > 0:31:43but she had also discovered a major problem in her emigration plans.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46She's spent years training as a teacher to get her visa,
0:31:46 > 0:31:51but only by being in Oz did she find out that religion wasn't even on the curriculum.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56It was a terrible discovery and meant that she was going to have to rethink the whole thing.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Because my subject's Religious Studies and it's not taught routinely in the state system here,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06then I've got to find a way to make what I teach relevant to the state system
0:32:06 > 0:32:10if I want to open up as many job opportunities as possible for myself.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14That, I think, may be slightly trickier than I thought.
0:32:14 > 0:32:22Libby had had a scary reality check. If she came to teach at this school, it wouldn't be religion.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27If she wanted to teach RS, it would probably have had to be at a private church school.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32'I'm the main visa applicant. I can't come here if I can't get a job.'
0:32:32 > 0:32:37As much as we want to come here, sell our house, move here and be debt-free,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39'we can't afford to live on just one wage.'
0:32:39 > 0:32:40I need to find a job.
0:32:40 > 0:32:45It was time for the Warners to regroup and share their experiences of the day.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50When Libby was forced to compare her job prospects, it came as a big blow to Bob's hopes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55Deciding between the UK and Oz was becoming more difficult than they could have thought.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57It was time to vote.
0:32:57 > 0:33:05So, on balance, for me, and partly because I can teach in the UK with my subject and may not here,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08for me it's got to be UK schools have to win.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18Unlike the Warners, for most families, it's not Mum and Dad
0:33:18 > 0:33:22who have to be happy fitting into the education system.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26We found out what British families would be letting themselves in for.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Australian public schools, like our state schools, are free,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33except you have to pay for books.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38Uniforms and particularly hats are usually compulsory to keep kids safe in the sun.
0:33:38 > 0:33:46A third of Australian children go to private schools compared to a tiny fraction in the UK.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49That's because they're subsidised and much cheaper.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54The big difference is that the school year starts in January and ends in November.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58The summer holidays run 6-7 weeks over Christmas and New Year.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04And they do a year less than us at school if you count going on to A-levels.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06They do 12 years, we do 13.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13And the good news is you can choose any school you like for your child.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17The Aussies aren't so hung up on catchment areas and league tables.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29Three years on and Bob has certainly taken to the Aussie lifestyle.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33In Australia, golf is an essential pastime
0:34:33 > 0:34:36for, well, gentlemen of a certain age.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40With over 1,500 golf courses in the country,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Bob will never be short of somewhere to play a round.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52Doesn't look like he's going to win the Australian Open just yet though.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Don't worry. Practice makes perfect, Bob.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58Ooh!
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Yes!
0:35:14 > 0:35:19Bob was determined to have an outdoors life so back at the ranch,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22he's taken up a rather sedate, peaceful hobby.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25It looks like a very relaxed existence,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29but is there a downside to being a house husband?
0:35:29 > 0:35:32'My days now are really good.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37'Now the summer's upon us, I can go out and play golf most days. Just have a quick nine holes.'
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Then I'll get back and do a little bit of housework,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45I'll prepare the meal, I'll do some shopping,
0:35:45 > 0:35:50and then take the dogs for a walk on the reserve for a couple of hours.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54It means I can spend time with the kids, good quality time with the kids.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59I get them to school, I pick them up in the evening, and then, you know,
0:35:59 > 0:36:03interspersed into that, I'm pottering round the house.
0:36:03 > 0:36:10Now I've started back part-time so I'm doing two or three days temporary relief teaching.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15Which is unfortunate because it cuts down on the amount of golf I can play,
0:36:15 > 0:36:19but, from a financial perspective, it's got to be done now.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22So Bob is working 2-3 days a week,
0:36:22 > 0:36:29but Libby wanted to stay full-time and is teaching Religious Studies at a local high school.
0:36:29 > 0:36:36With marking to do every night, she lets Bob and the girls take over some of the more domestic chores.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38And it's been a learning curve.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41It just needs to go brown.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45He's been very, very good.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50He had a couple of disasters early on. He, um, tr... I absolutely love him for trying.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54He did a chicken curry and put it in the oven.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59Because it said on the hob for 20 minutes, he thought if he put it in the oven for 40, it would be good.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05And put some vinegar in it to spice it up because he thought that would be nice.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08But the vinegar didn't have quite the effect he was hoping for
0:37:08 > 0:37:11and the meat was almost raw when it came out of the oven.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15But I absolutely love him for trying.
0:37:15 > 0:37:21Yeah, it was very sweet. But, as I say, he's got much better now. Roasts are his speciality.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24So there's a little way to go until Bob's a gourmet chef,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27but being a part-time house-husband seems to suit him.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32It was difficult to start with, to get used to cooking, cos I didn't cook much in the UK.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36But there's lots of shortcuts like doing your rice beforehand.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Yesterday, we had people over so we did a massive...
0:37:40 > 0:37:45We did a m... That's not heating up. We did a massive job lot of rice.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Tonight, I can do a meal in about 20 minutes.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51That's if the rice ever gets there.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54So, no, I'm really enjoying it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58So I wouldn't swap. I'm quite happy to do two days a week teaching, or three days,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01and the rest of the time potter around the house.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06So how is Libby finding teaching in Oz?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10I work at a private school near the city
0:38:10 > 0:38:12'and it's going very well.
0:38:12 > 0:38:18'When we took part in the original programme,'
0:38:18 > 0:38:23I voted the UK for school, and my reasons for that were that,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I felt that being an RE teacher,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I felt the opportunities in the UK were more accessible
0:38:30 > 0:38:35by virtue of the fact that it is a compulsory subject in England and every school has to teach it.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40Not every school has to teach it in Australia and so that cuts off most government schools for me,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44'because there's only a few that do.'
0:38:44 > 0:38:51In terms of teaching, I still think I'd go with the UK. I like teaching in England.
0:38:51 > 0:38:58Yes, at times you got told to go places you weren't keen to go to, but you still get that here.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03But does the lifestyle make up for it? Libby suffered from allergies in the UK so has the climate helped?
0:39:03 > 0:39:08The health improvements I'd hoped for haven't materialised. My asthma has got worse,
0:39:08 > 0:39:13my eczema is completely going nuts.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Unfortunately, I'm allergic to nearly every single pollen in South Australia.
0:39:18 > 0:39:24None of them existed in the UK so that explains why I don't have the same problems there.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29Is this something that would make me leave Australia? My children are better off here, for a fact,
0:39:29 > 0:39:35and they aren't suffering. They haven't got problems with their eczema or their asthma,
0:39:35 > 0:39:40so I'm not making them leave for that reason.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44I just need to find a way that makes it easier for me to stay.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49It sounds far from ideal, but she's trying to soldier on.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54Whilst Bob's taken to working part-time, Libby's not completely happy in her job.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59When she weighs it all up, will she really vote to stay in Australia?
0:40:05 > 0:40:09In 2006, before they had to make the final decision,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13Libby and Bob had decided to take some advice from Lee Callum.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17She'd invited them over for a typical Aussie barbecue.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22Libby had a lot on her mind. She was worried she may have made a huge mistake.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26But her girls were more worried about some other unexpected guests.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Come on, Soph, it's just a little spider.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32SHE SHUDDERS
0:40:37 > 0:40:40It's extraordinary that even though we're only 6km
0:40:40 > 0:40:43from the centre of the city, you get all the wildlife.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47So we get anything from possums that sleep in our hanging baskets
0:40:47 > 0:40:50during the day, to kookaburras waking us up at 5.30am.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53And there was more wildlife on the menu.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00We've got some emu, we've got kangaroo,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03and they're both really just like normal steaks.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Libby, do you want to try both?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Sophie, will you have a little bit?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Yes, please.- Just a tiny bit to start with?
0:41:13 > 0:41:14Yes, please.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15Cheers!
0:41:15 > 0:41:18So Libby and Sophie have been convinced
0:41:18 > 0:41:20to try the local delicacies after all.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24I've had the emu, but I don't know if I'm going to have the kangaroo,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27because kangaroos are actually quite nice.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29But despite the warm welcome,
0:41:29 > 0:41:33Emily still seemed distracted and withdrawn.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Emily! Cheers! Welcome to Queensland!
0:41:35 > 0:41:39And Libby's mind never strayed far from the job dilemma she faced.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42My biggest concern is my subject specialism and how relevant it is
0:41:42 > 0:41:46in the Australian education system. My subject is Religious Studies and
0:41:46 > 0:41:49I am aware that it's not taught as a compulsory subject.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Ever helpful, Lee thought she might have a solution to Libby's problem.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55In Queensland, there are many schools
0:41:55 > 0:41:58that are introducing philosophy and social justice.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03and values. So it'll be interesting to see your blend of your expertise
0:42:03 > 0:42:06and where the Australian curriculum is going in the future.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Plenty to sleep on. But in 2006,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12they still had to make up their minds.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Having made the choice to move, it will be interesting to see
0:42:15 > 0:42:17if they think it is still the right decision.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22Three years on,
0:42:22 > 0:42:26and Bob and Libby have made a new social group for themselves.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's essential to feel like they have a support system,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33but as immigrants to a new country, it hasn't been easy.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Most of our friends here are ex-pats.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39We shared a common bond right from the start. We'd all moved,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42we'd all wanted this better life for our families, and we've got that.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Where we haven't always been so successful is
0:42:46 > 0:42:49finding a place with Australian friends, perhaps,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52because... Well, I don't know what it is. It's not quite
0:42:52 > 0:42:56the Neighbours and Home And Away that we were expecting, I suppose.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59The effect is that sometimes you still feel like a pom in Oz.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03You do feel like somebody who's just sort of almost like here on holiday.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08It's that breaking through and being a full part of Australian society.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11But sometimes it feels very hard to achieve that.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14That's when it's tough. That is when it's tough.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16Like many ex-pats, Bob and Libby have turned
0:43:16 > 0:43:19to those who have shared the same experiences for support.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23And it's been a real challenge for Emily, too.
0:43:23 > 0:43:28Leaving your family and friends and then having to find...
0:43:28 > 0:43:31um, new ones is the hardest thing.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34You can't kind of create that history instantly.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38You have so much history going on with your family and friends
0:43:38 > 0:43:42and you come here and you're all so new and you don't have
0:43:42 > 0:43:45all these memories created with them instantly,
0:43:45 > 0:43:47and that's really horrible. Yeah.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Back in 2006, as they were getting ready for their last day,
0:43:51 > 0:43:53Emily's alarm bells were already ringing.
0:43:53 > 0:43:58With their big decision ahead, she was about to drop a bombshell.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01I think I'd find it quite hard coming to Australia.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05It is great, but...um...
0:44:07 > 0:44:12..I think this is Dad's idea of a wonderful country,
0:44:12 > 0:44:15but it's not mine.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18I can see why Dad likes it
0:44:18 > 0:44:24and I can see why Mum... um, is a bit more...
0:44:24 > 0:44:26concerned.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29Or not as excited about it as Dad is.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32I haven't really wanted to kind of speak about it too much
0:44:32 > 0:44:35to Mum and Dad, especially Dad, because I know how
0:44:35 > 0:44:40he's wanted to do this for ages.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42I didn't really want to spoil anything.
0:44:42 > 0:44:48I do want to kind of try, though, cos otherwise I think I'd feel bad,
0:44:48 > 0:44:51um...for Dad and Mum.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53But, um...
0:44:55 > 0:44:57It was a huge shock
0:44:57 > 0:45:01and it had left Bob confused and concerned about the future.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03What she came out with, it's quite right.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06So I'm just thinking now, what a wrench it's going to be
0:45:06 > 0:45:08to leave everything that she knows
0:45:08 > 0:45:11and she's comfortable and secure with
0:45:11 > 0:45:13and to come and live here.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17You know, for me, my family's the most important thing.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22I don't want to come here, where one of us or two of us,
0:45:22 > 0:45:24really, they don't want to be here,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27and she's doing something just to please me.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34'Knowing how much he wants this, I think he's found today very hard.'
0:45:34 > 0:45:38And for him to want to change his mind so much to be supportive
0:45:38 > 0:45:41for Emily and I, I love him for that.
0:45:42 > 0:45:47But they made the move in 2007. So how did Emily cope?
0:45:47 > 0:45:52The first few days were horrible, being really jet-lagged.
0:45:52 > 0:45:57After that, it sunk in a lot more how far away we were and...
0:45:57 > 0:45:59Yeah, it was hard being so distant
0:45:59 > 0:46:03and then trying to find a school so you didn't feel quite so lonely.
0:46:03 > 0:46:09But I think it was also really good for us as a family
0:46:09 > 0:46:12when you've only got each other for the first few weeks.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14I think it brings you closer.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17We're much more sorted now.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19The house is kind of coming together.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22It was worth sticking it out for those few months
0:46:22 > 0:46:25where it's really tough because it is enjoyable.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29But will this have any impact on her final vote?
0:46:33 > 0:46:38In 2006, the Warners had to face up to the prospect
0:46:38 > 0:46:40of leaving loved ones behind,
0:46:40 > 0:46:43as we showed them some recorded messages
0:46:43 > 0:46:45from their friends and family.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49First up was Libby's friend and colleague, Diane.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53I will miss her as a friend because of her warmth and sincerity.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56She's fun. She's fun in meetings.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59Her whole personality is larger than life
0:46:59 > 0:47:04and it's always lively when Libby's around.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07Who's going to do the Birdie Song without you?
0:47:07 > 0:47:12THEY SING THE BIRDIE SONG
0:47:12 > 0:47:14Hi, Emily. I hope you're having a really good time,
0:47:14 > 0:47:18even though I miss you loads and I hope you come back soon.
0:47:18 > 0:47:22Hey, Emily. I really don't want you to go because you're really nice
0:47:22 > 0:47:25and caring and thoughtful, and basically,
0:47:25 > 0:47:28I'm just going to miss you. Please don't go!
0:47:28 > 0:47:30You really will be sorely missed
0:47:30 > 0:47:32and a tough act to follow, I've got to say.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36The children adore you, you've a super relationship with them.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40We're both really, really going to miss you, but I'm so supportive.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42You deserve to have such a better quality of life
0:47:42 > 0:47:45than what you've had and what you have now in Witney,
0:47:45 > 0:47:47so we're really pleased that you're going.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51Definitely keep in touch. You are going to be a long way away from us.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53Bob, keep in touch on the football.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56I know we've had our fair share of banter over the last few years
0:47:56 > 0:48:02with regards to the number of players and I'm sure it'll probably continue, but not as close.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I wish you all the best and we will miss you.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08If there's one thing I could really say it's,
0:48:08 > 0:48:10please don't go! You love us too much!
0:48:10 > 0:48:14You can't go! We're so much better than the Australian kids.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16We'll all miss you.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18Yeah, we'll miss you lots.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20I'll miss you!
0:48:20 > 0:48:21Do you really have to go?
0:48:24 > 0:48:27It's been fun having you around here and, uh...
0:48:27 > 0:48:31perhaps you may give it a second thought, you know,
0:48:31 > 0:48:34for a little split second, that you'd really like to stay here.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37So, all the best.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43The pull of their emotional words was cutting Libby in two.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45But was it enough to change her mind?
0:48:49 > 0:48:51It's really hard, isn't it?
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Don't you think?
0:48:53 > 0:48:56I didn't realise you were such a good teacher.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00- I'm awesome! - That's what they said, didn't they?
0:49:00 > 0:49:05To me, it's a real reality check. Having seen this, this brings it home
0:49:05 > 0:49:08a bit more than I would have liked, really.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11You know, because I've had this goal for such a long time
0:49:11 > 0:49:15and when it's come to the issues about missing family and friends,
0:49:15 > 0:49:20I've said, "Yeah, fine", and not even thought about it. But now, seeing them on the DVD there
0:49:20 > 0:49:23and hear the family talk, that's going to be a major wrench.
0:49:23 > 0:49:28It is going to be really hard to leave our family and friends.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38Three years on and the separation from loved ones has become real.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42We showed them a new message from Libby's best friend, Louise.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45Hi, Lib! Hi, Rob! Hi, Emily and Sophie. Um, I just wanted to say
0:49:45 > 0:49:49we're really missing you over here.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52I believe you've made the right decision in going to Australia
0:49:52 > 0:49:55and I think it's the right thing for your family.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58When somebody says, "I'm moving to Australia", you think,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01"That'll never happen. It's a great idea. Great. Yeah."
0:50:01 > 0:50:06But when she actually did it, it was sort of like, "Oh, my God, she's actually going!
0:50:06 > 0:50:07"Now what?"
0:50:07 > 0:50:11The biggest thing I'm missing out on is the girls growing up
0:50:11 > 0:50:15and what they're getting up to. That's the biggest thing. You think,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18"Wouldn't it be great if I could actually go over there,
0:50:18 > 0:50:21"go to the barbecue and be sitting there with nice hot sunshine and
0:50:21 > 0:50:24"a glass of wine watching what's going on and being part of it?"
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Through different phases of our lives together, we've supported each other
0:50:28 > 0:50:32and you need that one friend that knows more than everybody else
0:50:32 > 0:50:37and she was it. She knows an awful lot about me and I know an awful lot about her
0:50:37 > 0:50:40and that's what best friends are for.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43I love her. I miss her.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48And I'll see her soon.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00I think you've done exactly the right thing in going.
0:51:00 > 0:51:04I miss you. I'm jealous. I want to swim in your pool.
0:51:04 > 0:51:09But I love you, and I love you all. Take care. Bye.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34I'll be back in a minute.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41You're torn, really, cos you've got a fantastic lifestyle here,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44but you've still got links to the UK. You've still got friends,
0:51:44 > 0:51:47their lives are still going on, and you're not part of that any more.
0:51:47 > 0:51:54So you do miss out on that. Really, it is difficult. You are torn between two places, aren't you?
0:51:56 > 0:52:00I consider this my home now. But...
0:52:00 > 0:52:03I missed my brother's wedding recently
0:52:03 > 0:52:06and, um, it was horrible.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09Absolutely horrible.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12You can only think about how you feel yourself. You don't realise
0:52:12 > 0:52:15other people are feeling exactly the same way. It's only when
0:52:15 > 0:52:19you see your friends saying things like that, you think, "What are we at?"
0:52:19 > 0:52:23That's impacted on them as well, hasn't it? As well as us. It's not just us.
0:52:23 > 0:52:28The pain of leaving close friends will probably never get easier for Libby.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34For myself, seeing the DVD,
0:52:34 > 0:52:38or seeing Louise and what she says is...is beautiful.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42But she's in my mind, anyway.
0:52:42 > 0:52:47I don't have to wait for something bad or something major to happen.
0:52:50 > 0:52:55I mean, this is where I've always wanted to be and now I'm here, I just think, "Well, this is it now."
0:52:55 > 0:52:59I can see what Bob's saying. Yes, this is what he wanted to do.
0:52:59 > 0:53:05And no, it was never the big dream for me that it was for him.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08It's hard at times.
0:53:09 > 0:53:16Maybe it's because I'm emotional and prone to emotional outbursts or whatever you want to say,
0:53:16 > 0:53:20but...I find the...
0:53:23 > 0:53:27..the friends and family from the UK very tough, still.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Ah, it seems that time is not always a great healer
0:53:34 > 0:53:38and seeing her best friend so upset has been too much for Libby.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44In 2006, the Warner family from Oxfordshire
0:53:44 > 0:53:51had to decide if they wanted to trade their jobs as teachers in the UK for life in Brisbane, Australia.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55Bob loved the country and they all fell for the homes,
0:53:55 > 0:53:59but their dreams of a bright future had been seriously tested
0:53:59 > 0:54:03by Libby's discovery that she couldn't teach her chosen subject.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08Because my subject's Religious Studies and it's not taught routinely in the state system here,
0:54:08 > 0:54:11then I've got to try and find a way to make what I teach relevant
0:54:11 > 0:54:15to the state system if I want to open job opportunities for myself.
0:54:15 > 0:54:21And Emily was unhappy at being so far from her friends.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24I think I'd find it quite hard coming to Australia
0:54:24 > 0:54:30and I think this is Dad's idea of a wonderful country,
0:54:30 > 0:54:32but it's not mine.
0:54:32 > 0:54:38Emily voted for the UK, but the rest of the family decided that Australia
0:54:38 > 0:54:40was the place for them.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43So, the Warners, it looks like we're coming to Australia.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46THEY CHEER
0:54:48 > 0:54:53Three years on and the Warner family have a beautiful home, which they've made their own.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58They even have some new additions to the family, which helped the girls settle.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02She walked in and she saw the puppy and said, "Is this our forever dog?"
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Bob loved his new life,
0:55:05 > 0:55:08but Libby still preferred working in the UK.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10It's a close thing. 50-50.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12Or maybe 51-49.
0:55:12 > 0:55:18Whilst Libby was suffering from her allergies, it was Emily who'd been through some scarily testing times.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22- And it was just absolutely terrifying. - It was a low point, wasn't it?
0:55:22 > 0:55:24- Yeah.- Since we've been here.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27And they all miss loved ones back in the UK.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31So, after three rollercoaster years in Australia,
0:55:31 > 0:55:34which way would the family vote now?
0:55:34 > 0:55:39OK, well, we've had some good times and some bad times over the last two and a half years,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42but as a family, we vote for...
0:55:43 > 0:55:45..Australia!
0:55:45 > 0:55:50The Warners have made a new life for themselves in Adelaide.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53Although Libby struggles with the environment,
0:55:53 > 0:55:56she loves to see Bob and the girls happy.
0:55:56 > 0:56:01Even Emily has been won over by their new life in Australia.
0:56:01 > 0:56:06Join us again next time, when we catch up with another family
0:56:06 > 0:56:08on Wanted Down Under Revisited.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk