Stitt Wanted Down Under Revisited

If your job meant never seeing the people you loved,

how far would you go for the family life you dreamt of?

In 2011 the Stitt family had to decide

if the answer lay on the other side of the world.

One year on, we'll find out if they went through with the biggest gamble of their lives.

The Stitts were desperate for a new life.

I just don't want, in ten years' time,

for my children to say, "Daddy, who are you?"

But it would come at a huge cost.

That's what we have to give up, that, to make...

It's a huge, huge stumbling block.

A year on, had they made the right decision?

I wish Eric had been here.

I miss him and his support.

In 2011, the Stitt family spent a week

experiencing the reality of life in Australia.

At the end of it, they'd face a huge decision -

whether to stay in the UK or to make the move for good.

Today we're catching up with them

to find out what's happened since we last met.

Their journey began with a gruelling 20-hour flight

over 9,000 miles to reach Perth.

And all that time brought out a whole range of worries

about the days ahead.

I'm just thinking,

"What if we don't like it? What are we going to do?

"Is our situation so bad that we have to leave Northern Ireland?

"Do we have to come to the other side of the world?

"Can't we do something else? Can't we just do what we're doing?

"Can I put up with it? No, I can't put up with it."

I've just been up and down.

But there were some plus points to their trial week in Australia.

-Nice to get to spend a bit of time together.

-Yes, yeah.

-As a family.

Cos we don't get a lot of that, family time together.

So, that's an opportunity for us to be together and...

see how that works out!

As they set off on their week in Australia,

it was a far cry from their life in Northern Ireland.

In 2011, Eric, Corinne and their daughters, nine-year-old Jodie

and Madison, aged five, lived in Bangor.

It provided them with a lifestyle they all loved.

Both Eric and I are born and bred Northern Ireland

and we're proud to be Northern Irish.

-We have a lot going on here.

-We do love where we live.

We live in a very nice area, we're so close to the school the kids go to.

We've been able to provide the girls lots of opportunities for things.

So why did the Stitts want to give it all up for Australia?

It seemed there was a huge problem tearing the family apart.

In a month, Eric would be away for two or three weeks at a time.

He's home for the weekend and he would have one full day with us.

And in that stage everything is rushed into the full day

and then, the next day, Eric's away off to the airport,

and away to work, and it could be for another two weeks.

The day-to-day absence from Eric was taking its toll on all of them.

He has missed out over the years on those things where, really,

you know, he should be there. And he does feel it.

It can be very hard trying to explain to a five-year-old

that Daddy has to go to work, you have to keep a roof over your heads.

OK, have you got a kiss for Daddy?

Eric owned his own business designing pipe systems for oil and gas rigs all over Europe.

Working offshore meant he couldn't have his family with him.

'I just don't want, in ten years' time,

'for my children to turn round and say, "Daddy, who are you?

'"Where have you been?"'

-You behave yourself, now, for your mummy.

-OK.

'It's vitally important that we do get our lives sorted out

'and get to spend the time together as a family that we need to.'

-Try...

-You're all right.

-OK. See you. Take care.

'Corinne does feel it hard sometimes.

'She has to be here 24/7 for the girls.'

Everything is on her shoulders.

She says she feels like she's a single parent.

It's not easy for her and I do appreciate that.

The Stitts were looking to Australia

to give them their dream of a normal family life.

They hoped its booming oil industry would mean Eric could find a job

that allowed him to be at home a lot more.

We're just hoping for a lifestyle that's...

you work to live, you don't live to work.

Even the girls could see the benefits.

We would like to go to Australia.

-Wouldn't we?

-Yeah.

It would be fun to spend some time with Dad and everything.

And he'll help us with our homework.

But if the Stitts did move down under they were all too aware

of how much they stood to lose.

We are quite a close family.

It's very daunting, I suppose, sometimes, just to think that

you're going to be the other side of the world.

That you're not going to be there when they need you.

It's not that easy to get back to see them.

It was a difficult decision which left them torn.

The Stitts wanted to find out if Perth in Western Australia

was the right location for their fresh start.

Their rental home for the week was a three-bedroom cottage

only five minutes from Fremantle Beach.

Everything's here that we need. It's really nice and it's clean

and it's modern with that sort of shabby chic-y twist to it.

Corinne and Eric were well aware of how big a deal

the next seven days would be.

I really want it to go well,

for this to be a really positive experience for us.

Otherwise, we're going to be down the road in another ten years' time

and wonder what we've done with ourselves.

A lot really does ride on it.

Although they were looking for a future in Australia,

falling for life there could have had huge repercussions.

I worry that if I really, really do like it,

that people at home are going to be a bit...

There's a sense of guilt.

There's a wee sense of that,

that there's going to be a lot of sad faces.

I don't know whether they really have realised

that this is a serious decision for us.

This is... If we like this, we're coming out here.

We're not hanging about.

Actually being here now brings home to you just how big a decision

it would be to make the move.

In 2011,

the Stitts lived in a three-bedroom house in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

They had plenty of ideas about what

their Australian house needed to deliver.

The right sort of property would be very important.

My dream property in Australia would be a pretty big house.

In the middle of nowhere.

It has to have a swimming pool for the girls.

And just somewhere where we can spread out

and just enjoy being outdoors and just having room around us.

That all sounded great, but it wouldn't come cheap.

The Stitts had a budget of around £300,000,

but they needed to get the right price for their house.

We gave them a taste of the Perth property market

and showed them three options,

based upon what they wanted from their ideal home,

what they could afford

and the real price of property down under.

After looking round each one, they'd discover how much they cost.

But could their wallets keep up with their dreams?

First up was this three-bedroom house 20 miles south of Perth,

in the Byford area.

It was popular with young families and offered good value for money.

But what did the Stitts make of it?

Looks like a box with windows.

THEY LAUGH

Straight into the living room. A bit smaller than I thought.

-No, I don't like this at all.

-You're not keen on coming straight in...

No. It's really not what I would come out here for.

I know we don't have a big back garden at home,

but this is even smaller.

It's just not practical at all, not for having kids.

-Where are you going to play?

-What are they going to do out here?

-Go round in a circle on their bikes?

-No, that's not working for me at all.

No.

That's a real big letdown.

This house failed on all fronts, but they still didn't know its cost.

If it was anywhere near their budget,

would it be worth giving up life in the UK for?

So, what was the price?

ERIC SNIGGERS

£250,000 sterling.

That was a blow.

Their budget was between £250,000 and £300,000.

There needs to be a wee bit of reality on that

cos this house is not worth £250,000 of anybody's money.

Things didn't look good for the Stitts.

If this property was not even worth considering,

would their dream house be beyond their means?

Hopefully, property two would restore their faith.

This four-bedroom house in the small town of Baldivis

was close to beaches, shops and restaurants.

Would it be more up their street?

OK.

Ahh, you see, this is a hall.

-This is better.

-This has a nice feel about it.

-Yeah, this is better.

It's open-plan but it works a lot better than that other property.

Yeah, it's a bigger area.

It was only the second house

and the Stitts seemed to have found something they liked.

Would the garden keep them happy?

Oh, it's like...

Pfft.

-That's like the...

-Peace wall.

-That's like a peace wall.

A DOG BARKS

Er... It's a wee bit...

No, the house is nice, this here is a big no-no. I couldn't, no way.

No way, I have to be honest with you, no way. That...

That is like a prison boundary. I can't cope with that.

It's not my dream,

it's really not my idea of living the Australian dream.

It doesn't do it for me, I'm sorry.

Can we go?

It may seem like an extreme reaction but it's a painful reminder

of something they're trying to leave behind.

It reminds us both of a boundary wall in Belfast

called a peace wall,

which separates two communities in Belfast.

It's there to keep people apart.

It doesn't affect Eric and I where we live, but it is a symbol

of something that we have been affected by over the years.

I'm not coming to Western Australia to look at that

-or be reminded of it, thanks very much.

-No.

Corinne wasn't too concerned about the price of the property,

but would they have been able to afford it?

Leaving the garden aside, it was a house they all liked.

315,000.

It's probably over-valued at 315,000.

Well, basing it and comparing it to...

Comparing it to what I would get at home, yeah.

But I certainly would not pay it for here. No.

As if the wall wasn't enough, it was also at the top of their budget.

If this was the best they could buy,

would Eric and Corinne have to rethink their future?

Everything rested on the last house.

Property three, in Secret Harbour,

was only a few minutes' walk from the beach

but nearly 40 miles south of Perth.

The Stitts would get more for their money

but it meant a long commute for Eric.

This is nice.

-That's nice. Lots of kiddies about, as well.

-Yeah.

You'd have friends to play with.

-Oh, this is really swanky, isn't it? This is lovely.

-Yeah, this is nice.

-Which way will we go?

-Erm... follow Dad.

-This way?

-Go this way.

Master bedroom, I think.

-That's lovely.

-That's beautiful.

-That's really nice,

the decor, as well, is really nice.

That looks like an en-suite.

-Oh, wow!

-Woo!

-That's bigger than our bathroom at home!

-Probably is.

With so much at stake, this house certainly seemed to pick up

Corinne and Eric's spirits.

Wow! I like this.

-Wow factor, there.

-Yeah, this is what I'm talking about.

Ohhhh.

Mummy, are you going to get this house?

Wow, she is going to get it.

-Well, it ticks a lot of my boxes.

-It's ticking all the boxes so far.

Madison seemed to have made up her mind about the house,

but Corinne had spotted something in the garden.

You're here, you're looking at your TV, your living area

and what else are you looking at?

Oh, aye. What can you see out there, girls?

-What is it?

-A pool.

A pool.

No tears this time.

ERIC LAUGHS

Quite happy.

Everyone might have been happy, but they were yet to find out the price.

Could the cost bring the dream to a juddering halt?

400.

-Approximately 400,000.

-Yep.

I think, the finish, the detail,

the swimming pool, that all adds up.

They'd found the ideal house but it was well over budget.

Would the Stitts have to settle for a lot less

if they were to make the move?

-We'll have to see what I can expect, obviously, to earn.

-Yep.

It would have to take

a house like this or similar standard

for us to make the move.

After viewing all three houses, emotions were running high.

With the realisation that to afford their dream

Eric would have to earn considerably more,

which way did they vote?

Based on the houses we've looked at today

and what we think we can get,

our decision is...

ALL: Australia!

Back home in Northern Ireland, Eric ran his own company,

designing pipework for the oil and gas industry.

He earned £75,000 a year.

The problem was, this meant being away from home for up to three weeks at a time.

So we arranged for him to meet a specialist recruitment consultant

for the oil and gas industry.

However, starting again would be a big gamble.

I do have reservations about leaving the job I have in the UK at present.

Things have been going very well for me.

I enjoy the work,

so, yeah, I'm worried about possibly leaving that behind,

taking the plunge for pastures new.

There was a lot riding on Eric's interview, and, while he prepared,

Corinne gave the girls a taste of Aussie life.

-I'm Suzanne.

-Hi, I'm Corinne.

-This is Jodie and Madison.

-How you going, guys?

-Good.

And the girls didn't waste any time getting into the saddle.

-CLICKS HER TONGUE

-Walk on.

Aah!

Back in the city, recruitment manager Andrei Sarpe

had been poring over Eric's CV.

The positive thing is, because of the industry where it is,

it's at a massive growth stage

so it's the right time for anyone to come into the industry

if they'll ever have a chance of coming in.

-Yeah.

-And I think the skills that you've already got

and the packages that you've been working with

are very transferable to the market here.

That's exactly what Eric wanted to hear.

At the stables, Corinne's time alone with the girls

reminded her why their life needed to change.

Eric misses out on a lot of the kids' day-to-day activities.

And when he does come home from work he feels absolutely wrecked.

But at the end of the day, it's not an option

when you've two young kids, you have to get up and out there

and that's when we feel the pressure.

We pack everything into the short time he is home.

And then the routine starts again,

and that's when the upset starts, when Eric heads off again.

SHE SOBS

Find it really difficult. I find it difficult.

I find emotionally, sometimes I'm wrecked, just with...

I feel so much for the kids.

I just really do feel for them

and it's just like I have to put them first.

It sounds silly, but I have to be a big girl about things now

and my kids have to come first.

My family have to come first

and I can't really cope much longer

with the upset that it causes them.

It was this upset that pushed them

to consider emigrating to the other side of the world.

However, the move would have been pointless if Eric still had to work away from home.

Most of the work is office-based in Perth

and most of the companies do have facilities in the CBD.

So there's infrequent travel

to offshore and maybe onshore sites as well,

but definitely 95% of the work is done in the CBD

so it is more family-friendly, compared to a lot of other places.

To get an opportunity to work in the CBD,

in the same city, the same country as my wife and children...

-You get to go home every night.

-To go home every night would be fantastic.

That left just one big question.

Based on the contract rules, what would you...

ballpark figure, would you see salary potential?

The salary ranges can start anywhere between 180

up into the vicinity of the 300,000s

for the senior roles and the lead roles.

Yeah, just trying to do the sums in my head there

but I think that compares really favourably.

Certainly the news I wanted to hear.

Fantastic.

I think those figures will go down well with my wife as well!

I'm sure they will!

Even the lowest possible salary was £113,000,

38,000 more than Eric earned at the time.

Suddenly, a future where he could be part of the family looked possible.

So how did he vote on work in the UK vs Australia?

Today's went really positive.

I heard all I needed to hear,

probably a little bit more.

Based on all I've been able to find out today,

my vote goes to...

..Australia!

Back at the house, Corinne was keen to know what Eric had found out.

So where would you be located? Would you have to do any offshore work?

-It's all based in the CBD.

-Office-based?

Those big tall new buildings you're looking at in the centre of Perth,

a lot of them are all the major oil companies

-so all Perth-based, CBD.

-That's what you want, isn't it?

-So you're not having to worry about looking...

-Isn't that good?

Do you like that? Do you like that, Madison?

-Mm-hmm.

-Daddy working in a job that he'd be home every night?

-Mm-hmm.

-Yeah?

-Yeah?

-Oh, dear.

-I haven't told you what the salary was yet.

-All right, tell me.

He reckons he doesn't see why you couldn't be looking at

250,000 - 300,000 Australian dollars.

What?

And that's before you start even moving into management.

CORINNE LAUGHS

Serious!

-I don't believe you.

-Seriously.

What do you think about that, then?

Yeah, when can I start?

Can you do overtime?

Not yet!

-Can you work weekends? It is 7-7?

-I don't think they do weekends.

OK, that's something you need to find out.

THEY LAUGH

We're OK, we'll amuse ourselves.

Corinne and Eric's house had been on the market

for 12 months at £180,000.

If they couldn't get a decent price, they were thinking of renting it out

and taking a bigger mortgage in Australia.

We sent round two estate agents to get their opinion.

The kitchen's modern

and most buyers are looking for natural wood kitchens.

-Nicely done.

-That's good.

-That's nice.

This is a well-proportioned bedroom,

certainly capable of taking a double bed,

and obviously a little girl's room, but that shouldn't affect the price.

I'm not little!

In today's market, I would value this house at £160,000

and for quick sale, £150,000

-and for a rental, somewhere in the region of £650 per month.

-Yep.

-Yes?

I would expect under current market conditions

that the property should achieve a figure in the region of £165,000.

In terms of rental value,

I would expect it to achieve between £600 and £650 per calendar month.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, that's OK.

-That's exactly...

-What we thought.

Maybe actually a wee bit more on the sale of the house.

No big surprises there, then,

but what did the cost of living reveal?

We prepared a comparison of prices in Australia to those in the UK.

Just over slightly doubled.

The cost of living is,

basically, slightly more than double what it would be in the UK.

That was a massive difference.

Could Eric's higher salary have made up for the hole in their finances?

Right, so looking at the figures, in the UK, we can get £80,000 a year.

-Yep.

-In Australia, going in at the mid-range,

you're looking at £110,000 a year

with the potential to go up another 10 - 15,000

if you're looking towards the higher end of the income range.

So, right away, you are £30,000 a year better off here.

We can achieve the dream of being together as a family

and financially we're not going to suffer.

We can have our cake and eat it, in a way.

Gosh. That's good.

I'm just really, really excited now.

That's making me so happy.

It's better than what we possibly thought.

Had the Stitts worked out a way to get the dream life?

How did they vote on living costs?

Taking into consideration the salary Eric would earn in Australia

against the salary in the UK

and also the cost of living...

..our vote goes to...

BOTH: ..Australia!

The figures looked great, but would hearing messages from their loved ones

make them realise that moving away would be too high a price to pay.

Let's see what everyone has to say about us back home.

About a year and a half ago, they came to see us one night

and they happened to say

that they were thinking of going to Australia

and how did we feel about it?

Well,

-we were shocked.

-Mm-hmm.

But we understood the situation, we understood how they felt.

We'll miss sometimes having to go to school to collect the kids,

bring them home,

just doing different things in general with them.

It'll be different that

a family member lives over there,

so close to you, but...

..if it helps their family life, and betters...

It'll be good for them, you know.

I will feel very emotional about it.

It did affect me, yes. Sometimes I try not to show it.

But it does.

If they do go,

and if they stay,

I know we've always said we would never fly

but we will try to go to see them.

But God willing, they'll come back to see us.

And we'll keep in touch as best we can.

You're the very best.

And I just think that...

All the best, son. All the best.

Think about it.

Take in, weigh the pros and cons

of what you have in Australia and what you have here at home

and weigh out the difference

and make the right decision, both of yous.

We love yous. God bless.

Brings it home to you a wee bit more, sitting here seeing that, I suppose.

Och aye, it does.

But at the end of the day,

they understand that my quality of life just isn't there.

Exactly.

And that's the compromise.

We're OK financially here,

we're OK with the lifestyle,

that's our compromise.

That's what we have to give up

and that, to me, is a huge,

huge stumbling block.

It's emotional. There's no doubt about it.

Seeing their messages brought home how painful the move would be.

But if it was a loss that was too much to bear,

they'd have to give up on their dream of Australia.

You can see the emotions, you can see how people feel,

and it is, it's a significant sacrifice.

You are walking away from your life, your established life,

everything you know, everything that's familiar to you,

and there is a risk involved in that.

We have to weigh up the pros and cons.

Obviously on the minus side

is the sacrifice of leaving people behind,

but the plus side is the opportunities and lifestyle

that it could offer Jodie and Madison.

It was the end of an emotional week for the Stitts

and time for them to make their final, crucial vote.

Would the promise of more time together in Australia

be enough to overcome the pull of home?

We started off, we weren't too sure

how we would fit in with Australian life.

But all in all,

we as a family have enjoyed our experience here in Perth.

It's been a positive experience.

I think we all can see that the dream is more of a possibility now.

Our vote goes to...

ALL: Australia!

Are you happy enough with your decision?

Yeah, I think so.

-I think it's just reinforced what we were thinking before we came.

-Dada!

I think we can make it work for us.

Yeah, I think we could work together.

You want a kiss too? Mwah!

-You get one?

-Eugh!

-No?

After a week to remember,

Eric and Corinne decided that Australia could offer them

the lifestyle they were searching for, but with so much at stake,

were they able to go through with their plans?

One year on, we've caught up with them to find out.

It's May 2012 and the Stitts are enjoying

-a sunny afternoon in the garden...

-Well, that's you off.

..in Northern Ireland.

'I think it was probably the first time that we had spent

'so much time together as a family, in Australia,'

without Eric having to go off somewhere.

And once again, Eric's work has taken him away from Corinne

-and the family.

-'Hello?'

-Hello!

-How's it going?

-'Good. Not too bad. How are you?'

-I'm grand, I'm grand. You're looking well, pet.

-How's work?

'Yeah, I'm keeping busy.'

What about the kids? How are they doing?

Yeah, the kids are great, doing well.

They're happy enough at school.

We've been starting to get the packing, get the bags sorted.

I'm working out what I'm going to bring.

What's that? The packing?!

Well, in a week's time I will be on a flight to Australia!

We're heading out to Perth to be with Eric.

Just get your suitcases packed! Hurry up and get out here!

Are you looking forward to it?

'No, I can't wait. I can't wait until yous get out now.'

I'm really missing you and Jodie and Madison, honey,

so you can give them a big kiss and a hug from Daddy.

We're not having too long to wait now.

It'll all be worth it in the end, won't it?

'It will, it will. So I hope you're ready for a big cuddle

'when you get off that plane. And a big kiss.'

Five weeks earlier, Eric had flown out of Perth

to start a new job.

He's been staying in a rental property while he looks for a bigger place,

for when the rest of the family comes out to join him.

Once we returned to the UK,

we were pretty happy that we wanted to make the move to Australia,

so we basically got started right away

trying to put the plans in order, trying to get things organised

for the move.

I've now made the move over to Perth,

but Corinne, Jodie and Madison are still back in Bangor,

until the end of May, to give me a chance to get over here,

get the job organised and get everything set up for them arriving.

My stomach... At the time when we decided, "Yeah, we want to make the move,"

ach, we were really excited,

but we were really, really nervous about it as well,

cos then we were thinking, we've got to go back

and start making plans.

And it was just a roller coaster after that.

Obviously, we're still... we're still apart, um...

They're back in the UK and I'm over here.

It isn't ideal but at least it does give me the chance

to get things ready for them coming here,

and hopefully making it an easier start for us all

once they get here.

It has been really difficult without Eric being here,

but we're looking forward now to getting out to Australia

and just getting on with our lives and just being there with him.

When Eric left the UK,

so did a container full of the family's belongings.

With the house empty, they put it up for rental,

and Corinne and the girls moved in with her parents next door

for their final few weeks in Northern Ireland.

Moved everything in, lock, stock and barrel. Dogs, children.

And, um, it's been fun.

It has been good, my mum and dad have been absolutely brilliant.

For Jodie and Madison,

it's been a completely new experience

and it's only just the start of their Australian journey.

I've probably had more ups and downs than they have, really.

You know, they're so well adjusted to Eric not being around.

But now, as the time has come sort of closer,

I think we're all just getting to the stage where we just want to be away now.

We're tired, we're living out of suitcases,

it's not normal.

Um, but we have all... We've done well.

I think we have done well.

While Corinne and the girls are coping with the upheaval of leaving the UK,

in Australia, Eric is dealing with starting a new job

in unfamiliar territory.

I've started here as a senior piping designer.

The financial package is very good

and also the professional development,

which I'm looking for as well.

There's a lot worse places you can think of going to work every morning

than coming in to the centre of Perth. You're coming in

and there's sunshine and it's very, very different.

Obviously the main reason for the move

was the fact that we didn't have the opportunity,

or very limited opportunity, to be together as a family.

When they come over,

I'll be home every night just after dinner time and be able to spend

the evenings with Corinne and the kids,

that'll be just so much more time together,

and the family time that we've been looking for

and we've been wanting.

And what, really, the move here has been about the whole time.

Meanwhile, back in the UK,

it's Madison's and Jodie's last day at school,

as they get another step closer to joining their dad.

The kids are now just so focused

on going to Australia and being with their dad.

I hope that it's not going to be an upset for them,

but I don't think it will be. I think it's me saying bye

to people I've been friends with at the school.

I think it's probably me that's going to be the most upset.

What did you get? Oh, wow! And a book on Madison!

Yeah. I'm tired!

-You did very well.

-I'm tired.

-Right. Want to go home?

-Yay.

All right, then. Come on.

-Bye!

-Bye.

-GIRL: Bye, Madison!

-Bye.

Looking through the girls' good-luck messages from school,

Corinne has time to reflect on everything they're leaving behind.

"It has been a pleasure to have such a well-mannered,

"hard-working girl in my class this year."

That's really lovely, isn't it?

It's something to keep.

'It's just closing such a chapter in our lives and our kids' lives.'

I wish Eric had have been here.

I miss him not being here now, and supportive,

trying to cope with these final three days.

-And this is you with Barney Bear.

-Yeah.

-Were you sad to leave all your friends?

-Just a wee bit.

-Just a wee bit. You're very, very brave, aren't you?

-Yeah.

Yeah, I'm glad you had a good day.

In Perth, Eric is also busy, making sure the move runs smoothly.

He's been viewing properties for the family to rent when they arrive.

But back during their trial week,

Corinne had some strong views on their ideal house down under,

so it's a big responsibility.

There is a wee bit of pressure with the house-hunting.

Having somewhere where they're going to feel at home, the kids

are going to settle, Corinne's going to settle, is really, really crucial.

I think that they prefer, the kids prefer, Secret Harbour, really.

-I know they like being close to the beach.

-Well, just weigh it up.

I'll leave it up to you. You know, make the decision that you think...

-Don't do that!

-It'll be right for us. And if it's not, then...

No, I can't take responsibility for this,

you're the one that makes all the big decisions, pet.

Let's hope Eric is up to the challenge.

I do trust him.

I think we're both on the same wavelength

when it comes to the house. I hope so!

Today, he's viewing a property in Secret Harbour,

an area they've been keen on since their trial week.

-Hi, Eric, I'm Carol.

-Hi, Carol, pleased to meet you.

-Come on in.

Thanks very much.

-This is lovely.

-Yep. Plenty of space for your double fridge freezer.

-And you've got your dishwasher.

-The dishwasher comes too?

-Yeah.

And that leads out into your patio area.

So, outdoor entertaining area, and then obviously you've got your pool.

That's brilliant. That is a nice size. I'm looking at this pool...

-It is nice.

-ERIC LAUGHS

I can see two little girls' faces right now.

So I can.

Hopefully, that will keep everyone happy.

Eric has a final look round,

but Corinne will have to make do with just the photos.

-How did it go?

-It's really nice, Carol, absolutely lovely.

I think I'm pretty confident to go ahead and lodge the application, if possible?

Fantastic! Congratulations.

We'll sort out all the paperwork and get that off to you.

It just seems to be that our little checklist, I can tick everything off

and get bonuses, like pool tables, which I didn't even have on the list.

I'm really happy. Hope Corinne is.

-Nice to meet you again.

-Pleasure, Carol, thanks very much.

Take care. Bye-bye.

I've secured the job. I just secured the house.

Um, yeah, so it's getting off to a really positive start.

With a house now sorted and the move less than a week away,

all that remains is for Corinne to tie up the loose ends

of their life in Northern Ireland.

Recently, over the last couple of weeks, it's been,

"That's the last time we'll go there."

We've been doing our sort of Northern Ireland bucket list.

And we've been to different places that the kids like and that I like.

It sort of feels a wee bit surreal, actually, that I am actually going

to get on a flight to Australia - and it's a one-way ticket.

You know, that feels really strange, but it feels good as well.

It feels great that I'm going there and that's it.

You know, we do miss him. And I just can't wait...

I can't wait to go out there and start our lives together.

I really can't.

And finally, just a few days later, the waiting is almost over.

When I see Corinne and Jodie and Madison at the airport,

in reality, that's when our new life here begins - when they land.

I think I've been going over it so many times in my head

about how it's going to go and...

Oh, just looking forward so much to seeing them again.

-Hello!

-Dada!

-Hello, me pet.

-Don't squish!

-Don't squish.

-You all right?

I'm so glad to see you.

Come here, me pet.

I'm still not feeling well.

It's just so much to take in.

This is real now and we're going to be all together

and it's the dream come true.

-I've missed you.

-I've missed you too.

CORINNE SOBS

-Oh, now go home?

-ERIC LAUGHS

After years of heartache,

the Stitts are finally back together as a family

and ready to start their lives in Perth.

We wish them the very best of luck with their future down under.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd