0:00:02 > 0:00:05For many of us, making a new start on the other side of the world
0:00:05 > 0:00:07can be the ultimate dream,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10but what if your partner doesn't share your hopes?
0:00:10 > 0:00:13In 2009, the Page family faced just that dilemma.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Today, we'll find out how and where they are now.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Ian Page was desperate for his family to share his dream
0:00:20 > 0:00:22of a new life Down Under.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24It's better here. It's cheaper here.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27You can have a better lifestyle for the kids, it's much more rewarding.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31But wife Jacqui couldn't see what was wrong with their life in the UK,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33and tensions were mounting.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34This is our life in the UK.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37This is what we have to deal with on a monthly basis.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- This is what we'll be dealing with in Australia.- It's cheaper.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It isn't, Ian, not really.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47So three years on, were they able to resolve their difference?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- What's so wrong with home? - I've never said...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51There's nothing so wrong with home.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I've never said there's anything wrong with home.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18In 2009, the Page family faced
0:01:18 > 0:01:20one of the biggest decisions of their lives -
0:01:20 > 0:01:23whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26We gave them a week to sample living down under,
0:01:26 > 0:01:30but what's happened since we last met them?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Ian and Jacqui Page, along with their three children,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Lily, Abigail and baby Ethan,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38were about to leave their home near Crawley in Surrey
0:01:38 > 0:01:40for a trial week in Australia.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47The Pages had been thinking about a move down under since they got married six years ago
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and with Ian's job as an immigration officer
0:01:50 > 0:01:54often requiring him to work away from home, he was keener than ever.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59To able to spend more time together as a family, to be able to enjoy
0:01:59 > 0:02:03'each other's company a bit more, watch the kids grow up.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05'Just do things together as a family,
0:02:05 > 0:02:06'like normal families do!'
0:02:06 > 0:02:09We work very bad shift hours.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'Often I'll pull in the driveway, you know, "Hi, honey, I'm home."
0:02:13 > 0:02:16'She hands me the baby and she's in the car, off to work
0:02:16 > 0:02:19'and I'm playing dad. We're kind of like ships that pass in the night,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21'which is really frustrating'
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and something that I want to redress in our favour.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I'm hoping that Australia will be able to do that for us.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28- Say bye to Mummy!- Bye, darling.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Jacqui worked as a senior staff nurse at specialist cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Her work and colleagues were a huge part of her life.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39I love the hospital.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41I love the work that I do.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44'I love my patients as well. They're really special people.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48'The people I work with, not only do I work with them,'
0:02:48 > 0:02:49I socialise with them.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52So leaving the Marsden is going to be really difficult.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Neither Ian nor Jacqui had ever been to Australia,
0:02:55 > 0:03:00but they'd got their visas and saw it as a great opportunity for their family.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I don't want to look back in 10, 20 years' time
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and think, "I had that opportunity, it was something offered to me,"
0:03:07 > 0:03:10we have the visas, it's there waiting for us
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and that we never took it, or at least never tried.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15That's the overriding thing.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18I don't want to look back and have regrets.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22But despite this, Jacqui still had plenty of doubts.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26One minute she's really, really keen, "Let's do it. Let's do it."
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Then the next minute she's like, "I don't think this is a good idea.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33"I don't want to leave my friends. I have a really good job here."
0:03:33 > 0:03:37I'm like, "Well, you know, we should at least give it a try."
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I've driven Ian to complete distraction.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42One minute I really want to go, the next minute, I really don't want to.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Jacqui was incredibly close to her family,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49and worried how they would be affected by a move down under.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54'My mum isn't going to take it very well at all, to be honest.'
0:03:54 > 0:03:57We're taking away not just me, obviously,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00but the grandchildren, and her only grandchildren.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03So it's going to be really, really difficult.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08The Pages had a lot to think about in the coming week.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11As long as we give it a fair crack of the whip.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I can't ask for much more,
0:04:13 > 0:04:18but if she's really desperate to come home, then we'll come home.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28For their week sampling life down under, the Pages visited Perth,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31the capital of Western Australia.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Ian was desperate to make it work,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37but would Jacqui's home ties prove too much to leave behind?
0:04:39 > 0:04:40They had a busy week ahead of them,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44and after 18 hours in the air with three young children,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46they took their first steps on Aussie soil.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52Ian was feeling positive, but Jacqui still had some reservations.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54- That was a long flight.- Really long!
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Really makes you realise just how far away you are, actually.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- It took for ever. - Plus the time it takes, as well.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04But the kids were really good. I think they didn't do too bad. It was all right.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- I had a little sleep on the way. - You did, didn't you?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10The Pages' home for the week was a four-bedroomed house
0:05:10 > 0:05:13in East Victoria Park, a family-friendly suburb
0:05:13 > 0:05:17close to the city hospitals where Jacqui hoped to find work.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Let's have a look.- In you go.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Oh, wow!
0:05:24 > 0:05:25This is fantastic.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Oh, wow, it's huge.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30It's just wonderful.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I could see myself here for a week, that's no problem at all.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Only a week? Can we stay for a month?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37This is beautiful, this is really nice.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39But after a good start,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Jacqui spotted something she was less keen on.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Look at it, it's horrible. - It's a metal fence.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48What's wrong with a picket fence or a bit of bamboo or anything?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50But no, it's metal and corrugated.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56And another disappointment was the price tag of £400,000,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58which meant it was out of their budget.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03If I'm coming to the other side of the world, I want a house like this.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- End of.- I better start working harder, then, hadn't I?- End of.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08I'm not coming to live in a shack.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12This is quite nice for me, but we can't afford it, so...
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Ian was left in no doubt that it was vital they found the right property
0:06:15 > 0:06:20if Jacqui was going be won over by life in Australia.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32Back in the UK, the Pages had sold their two-bedroomed house in Surrey
0:06:32 > 0:06:36before the property downturn for £250,000.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41They'd been renting this four-bedroomed family house
0:06:41 > 0:06:45while they tried to decide where their future lay.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49It was in a great location, and suited their needs as a growing family
0:06:49 > 0:06:52so any property in Perth would have a lot to live up to.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59We showed the Pages three different properties based on their budget
0:06:59 > 0:07:01to give them an idea of the houses in Perth.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04The first house was in Green Mount,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08a 20-minute drive from the city-centre hospitals. At the time,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13this three-bedroomed cottage was on the market for £211,000 -
0:07:13 > 0:07:15just within the Pages' budget.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Front garden needs a bit of a makeover.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Here we go.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Nice high ceilings.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24It has a wooden floor as well.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25I like the fireplace.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- A tiny, tiny, tiny room. - It is quite small, isn't it?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Ian tried to be positive.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Definitely a kids' play room,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- which is nice.- I hope so. If it's the lounge, there'll be trouble!
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- It's nice and airy in here, quite cool.- But Jacqui wasn't buying it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- It's tiny.- It is small, though.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- What's in here?- This is a bedroom.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48This is tiny. Absolutely tiny.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51We wouldn't even get the kids'... anything in here.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Would the next room help?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- This is better. - This is nice. I like this.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- This is really nice. - Oh, yeah, yeah. Much more airy.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I love the beam.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04That's really nice.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Jacqui wasn't taken with this house
0:08:06 > 0:08:10and it was up to Ian to try and win her round.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11Look at that.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- I don't like it. - No.- I don't like it! It's really...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Not too sure about the colour of the kitchen cabinets.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21But even he didn't sound too impressed.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Let's have a quick look at the bathroom.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- They have a shower in there. - Yeah, that's all right. That's OK.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30You'd have to be very short to have a shower in there,
0:08:30 > 0:08:35I wouldn't fit, and a very small person to have a bath.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41I wouldn't be able to have a bath or a shower, that's not a very good start, is it?
0:08:41 > 0:08:43And eventually, he gave up altogether.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Overall, it's not quite what I'm looking for.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I think we can do a lot better.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52I hate it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I know you do!
0:08:55 > 0:09:01After a bad start, the next property needed to be far more successful.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03The second home was in the suburb of Butler.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08It was a popular area, with plenty of open spaces and parks nearby
0:09:08 > 0:09:09and being further from the city,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12should have meant getting more for your money.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But would this four-bedroomed new build impress?
0:09:19 > 0:09:21This looks nice.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22This looks very nice. Come on, then.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Open the gate, then.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27I like this. A nice front garden.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31At the time, it was on the market for £230,000,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33slightly above the Pages' budget,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36but would it be able to win Jacqui over?
0:09:36 > 0:09:37This is a bedroom.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- A tiny bedroom.- It is small. Would this be Ethan's room?
0:09:43 > 0:09:48If this was Ethan's room, it's bigger than what he's got back home.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49That room might have been small,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53but what did she make of the airy living space next door?
0:09:55 > 0:09:59This is nice. I like this, this is really good.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01I don't know about the bar.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03The bar would have to go!
0:10:03 > 0:10:07But this is good, Ian. A fourth bedroom.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10This is better. And it's pink as well, so Lily will be happy.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Who wants this bedroom?- Me! - This would be better.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14So they both have their own room.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17The Pages were certainly taken with the indoor living space,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19but there was more to see.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Outside, the house had lots more to offer, with an airy patio and pool.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Look, what's in here?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- A pool!- A swimming pool!
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- Wow!- Yeah, this is nice.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Now, be very careful, girls. - Keep away from the water, please.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39That's the Australian thing, the pool in the garden.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45- Not that much overlooked here in the pool area.- Yeah, got a lovely view of the fence(!)
0:10:45 > 0:10:47It's got a little seating area.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49You can pass me my glass of wine.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- Your margarita. - Chance would a fine thing!
0:10:53 > 0:10:57But the pool wasn't enough to distract them from another problem.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00I'm not used to having neighbours literally on our doorstep.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- No...- But there are areas for the kids to play, the pool.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05I love the barbecue area there.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08I could see us having the odd party out there.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10It's lovely. The outside is fine.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13If it wasn't overlooked by all the houses
0:11:13 > 0:11:15and enclosed by a metal fence.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18This house still didn't sway Jacqui,
0:11:18 > 0:11:23but at £230,000, did the Pages at least think it was value for money?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's a lot less than I thought it was going to be.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It's less than I thought it was going to be as well.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30But at the same token...I don't like it!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I think that was a definite no.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37So everything hinged on property three.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40If Ian is going to win Jacqui over to his Aussie dream,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42they had to find the right house.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48The last property was in the neighbouring suburb of Clarkson.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53There were shopping facilities close by and plenty of green areas for the children.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56This four-bedroomed, two-bathroomed property
0:11:56 > 0:11:59was then on the market for £237,000,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01just over their budget,
0:12:01 > 0:12:05so financially, it would have been a stretch.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- A corner house.- Corner plot. - So you're not going to be overlooked
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- on every side.- In you go, then. - In you go. That's it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Wow!
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Come on, girls, do you want to have a look?- This way.- Come on, then.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Is this the bedroom here?- This is lovely. The decor's much nicer.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24The decor's a lot nicer, isn't it?
0:12:24 > 0:12:25No purple anywhere!
0:12:25 > 0:12:28No. It is nice. It's very nice...
0:12:32 > 0:12:33- Oh, yes, much better.- Very nice.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Oh, yes. Much better. I love the kitchen.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- That is nice.- I really like... I actually like the colour as well.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- Not purple?- No. It's really, really nice.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Things had started well,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47but would the garden be able to keep Jacqui happy?
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Mummy, Daddy, come and feel this grass!
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Is it artificial grass?- Yeah.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59That's all right. It won't need mowing, so that'll be one less job I have to get.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- That's no too bad, I suppose. - No, it's not.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04In fact, maybe just a little...
0:13:04 > 0:13:05It'd be perfect!
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Golf. No, it's nice. It's all right.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Apart from the... What's the issue with it?
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Well, you've got the fencing again that you don't like, but that's not too bad, is it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17There's only so much you can do with metal fencing, isn't there? Let's be honest.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19You've got to hand it to Ian!
0:13:19 > 0:13:23And his enthusiasm did seem to be rubbing off on Jacqui.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26It's OK. It's the best one I've seen. It's homely, it's not overlooked too much...
0:13:26 > 0:13:30So, could you see yourself living here rather than back home?
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- I don't know, we'll see. We'll see! - How "we'll see" will we see?
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- We'll see.- Oh, I suppose it's better than what I've been getting before.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44That was very close to a vote of confidence from Jacqui.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51The Pages had seen three very different properties.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54It had given them a taste of what could be in the future,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56but was it enough to sway Jacqui?
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It was time to vote.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Well, we've seen three houses today in Australia,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07all fairly similar, but different as well.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We've sat and we've thought about what we can get in Surrey,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12which isn't a lot for our money, really,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and what we can get in Perth, Australia
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and the space, and of course,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20the money that we'd be spending and we're ready to vote.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- Australia!- Australia!
0:14:23 > 0:14:27It seemed as if the last house had finally done the trick for Ian,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31although Lily was perhaps missing her princess bedroom back home.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Back home, Jacqui worked part time as a senior staff nurse
0:14:42 > 0:14:46at the Royal Marsden, a specialist cancer hospital.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52She adored her job, and over the years, the people she worked with had become close friends.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57So would she ever be able to find an Australian job she loved as much?
0:14:58 > 0:15:01It was an early start to meet Tish Morrison,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05a clinical specialist nurse at St John of God community hospital.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07She hopes that Jacqui's skills might find a home
0:15:07 > 0:15:09at this palliative care unit.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- It's a really good size, isn't it? - Yes, it is.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16The great thing about it is that all the rooms here are private rooms
0:15:16 > 0:15:18so there's no shared accommodation.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21These doors all open up, so that if the patient isn't well enough
0:15:21 > 0:15:24to get out the bed, we can actually let them get out in the garden.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27In the summer time, we have to keep the screens closed
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- because there's snakes around.- Oh!
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Not my favourite thing!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Not something I have to worry about, to be fair, in Chevallier.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Snakes are not a problem, to be honest.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41If they made the move, both Jacqui and Ian would need to find work
0:15:41 > 0:15:46if they were to have any chance of affording the property and lifestyle they wanted.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Ian was hoping he might be able to retrain
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and join the police force,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55so he visited the central business district for a chat
0:15:55 > 0:15:58with Courtney and Tristan from Perth's Police Rail Unit.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02Are there many ex-British police officers working over here?
0:16:02 > 0:16:08- Over in Perth itself, there's about 75% British coppers to 25% Aussie coppers.- That's quite a lot.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- Yes.- Do they fit in OK over here, then?- Yeah, no, great.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16A lot of them seem to be loving the lifestyle and it's a lot more laid back than over in the UK.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19It sounded like Ian would feel right at home.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21What kind of hours do you work?
0:16:21 > 0:16:25In Perth, we're on ten hours there and we work days and night shifts.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Thanks for talking to me. It's been brilliant.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- Thanks for taking time out.- Take care.- Hope you can make it over.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Fantastic. Thank you very much.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- Come on, girls. Say bye-bye!- Bye!
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Ian's meeting was very successful.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41He discovered that the starting rate for police officers
0:16:41 > 0:16:44in Australia was around £26,000,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47about the same as the UK at that time.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49The pay's comparable, it's a good salary.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53The hours they do are very good, which would allow a very good, healthy balance.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58One of the things back home that's tough is working and family life.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00So, that give us a good balance over here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Back at the hospital, Jacqui was also hoping for some good news.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06How does the salary compare here?
0:17:06 > 0:17:13- You would be at the top of the increment.- Right.- So, I think that works out about £66,000 a year.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I'm not sure how that compares with the UK.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It probably is comparable, I would say.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Realistically, I think that you have to come and get into the workforce.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26It might not be the perfect job to begin with, but it lets you see how the system works.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30From there you can make choices after that, once you've got the first job on your CV.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I totally agree. I think I'm going to have enough
0:17:33 > 0:17:37stressing away settling the children down and sorting out the husband...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40..than worrying about the job.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44So, the job, it's good if that is...I'm comfortable with that.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48I know what I'm doing with that, so I haven't got to worry so much about the children. That'd be great.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Thank you ever so much. - Thanks, Jacqui, for your time.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Ian's dream of emigrating rested squarely on Jacqui finding work that suited her.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59She'd been impressed by what she'd seen,
0:17:59 > 0:18:01but how would she vote on working down under?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05I've had a good look round the hospital in Australia,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and it is really lovely, and the people are great.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11In actual fact, the job is very similar to the one
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I do at home at the Marsden,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16but, at the end of the day, it's not the Marsden.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18My pull is there, my loyalty is there.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I'm going to vote for...
0:18:21 > 0:18:22UK.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35The Pages hoped that living in Oz
0:18:35 > 0:18:39would allow them to spend quality time together
0:18:39 > 0:18:42so they set off for a typical Perth family day out
0:18:42 > 0:18:44at a local marine park.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48It was a welcome reminder
0:18:48 > 0:18:51of why they were considering such a huge move.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54We're currently under 3 million litres of water.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- Blimey! Is this Plexiglas? - It's very thick. It's very safe!
0:18:59 > 0:19:05This is Morticia, one of our stingrays.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Look at that giant big one! - There's Chunk the turtle.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- That one's my favourite.- There's Ed.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- Isn't he gorgeous?- There's Victoria!
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The girls were loving every minute,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20but Ian knew Jacqui was still worried about the decision ahead
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and he was running out of time.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27'I am getting a bit desperate now to try to convince Jacqui to come out here.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30'I don't quite know how I'm going to achieve that.'
0:19:30 > 0:19:33At the end of the day, I'm just going to have to sit back and
0:19:33 > 0:19:37hope that maybe she's seen something out here that she likes, but...
0:19:37 > 0:19:39I think it's going to be a real struggle.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I think Ian perceives that we would have more time in Australia.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47But, at the end of the day, we're both going to have to work still.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Yes, we would have the great outdoors more here, and that is a real positive.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53But is that really a positive enough
0:19:53 > 0:19:57to come to the other side of the world for? I'm not so sure.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Ian didn't know where he stood.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03One minute, Jacqui's been like, "I'm definitely not going. There's no way I'm going." '
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Next minute, she's changed her mind.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08She's like, "Let's go. Let's sell everything, get on a plane and go."
0:20:08 > 0:20:11'That makes me feel really upbeat one minute, really positive and focused.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14'Then the next minute, deflated and lost in direction,'
0:20:14 > 0:20:17thinking, "If we don't go, what do we do?"
0:20:17 > 0:20:21One minute he's up, one minute he's down. Because he has been constant.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24He wants to come here, and that's it. I can't make up my mind.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I think maybe a lot of that is because...
0:20:27 > 0:20:29maybe I don't want to come, particularly,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32but I'm trying to please him, and I know that sounds awful.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35It is sounding awful, but I do feel really guilty.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Because it is me that's holding it all back.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43Maybe if I just thought, "Well, come on, Jac, just go for it..."
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Is that really too much to ask?
0:20:45 > 0:20:50So had a taste of the Aussie lifestyle brought Jacqui any closer to moving?
0:20:50 > 0:20:51It was time to vote.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53We've had a great day at the aquarium today.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Compared to back home, days out in England, it's been really good.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01It's a lot cheaper to come out here in Australia, compared to back home.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04There are other things that are the same and a little bit more expensive.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08But, overall, we've had a fun day. I think our vote is going to be for...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- Australia!- UK!- UK!
0:21:14 > 0:21:16It's a split vote!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24The Pages wanted to compare the high cost of living in Surrey
0:21:24 > 0:21:29with life in Australia. We provided some details of everyday costs,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31so they could get to grips with the figures.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- We've won first prize in the lottery! - Chance would a fine thing.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Right, UK cost of living.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42We know the wages are going to be the same.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46So what have we got? Electricity per month, £80 in the UK.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48£55 in Australia, that is cheaper.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- The mortgage repayments will be £1,320.- Exactly the same.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- But bearing in mind we're renting, that's buying.- Yeah.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Shall we see what the total is for the whole month, then?
0:21:58 > 0:22:03£2,173.25.
0:22:03 > 0:22:09Which is a difference of £291.25 deficit.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13So, looking at this, it is not that more expensive to live in Australia.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18I don't think we'd be any less worse off. I don't think.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- It is literally the same. - So, what you are trying to say,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23because it's the same, there's no point in doing it?
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Because we're not gaining anything?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30What's the point in coming, because there is no gain?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Money is not as important, is it, to be fair?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35But it's not just money, is it?
0:22:35 > 0:22:38It's money in front of us, but it's the lifestyle, isn't it?
0:22:38 > 0:22:39This is our life in the UK,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42this is what we have to deal with on a monthly basis.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- This is what we'll be dealing with in Australia.- It's cheaper.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48It isn't, Ian - not really, it's not.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51The Pages couldn't agree on what the figures meant,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53but Ian was sure he was right.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58Going through the figures with Jacqui, every time I came up with "Look, that's cheaper,"
0:22:58 > 0:23:03she'd instantly say, "It's not that much cheaper."
0:23:03 > 0:23:07'She doesn't want it to be cheaper, because then I win the argument.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10'I think she's still dragging her heels on coming.'
0:23:10 > 0:23:14There's things holding her back in the UK - her friends, her family and her job -
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and I don't think I'm ever going to compete with those.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Was Ian being overly pessimistic?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21The turn of a card would tell.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26We've had a look at the facts and figures on cost of living in the UK compared to Australia.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28We've added them all up,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32and Australia is a tad cheaper.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33Our vote is...
0:23:33 > 0:23:35BOTH: Australia!
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I can't argue with the blooming figures, can I?
0:23:38 > 0:23:43I thought you'd have it a tad... just a tad more the other way.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Ian may have been ready to move to Australia,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59but Jacqui's biggest fear was always the pain she would face
0:23:59 > 0:24:02in leaving behind the people she loved.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04With such a huge decision looming,
0:24:04 > 0:24:09they chose to watch some messages from home together as a family.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10- Hi, Jacqui!- Hi, Jacqui.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Hi, Ian. I hope you're having a good time.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- Hi, Jacqui!- Hello!
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I know I'm biased because I'm her mum,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21but I'm extremely proud of her.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23She's turned out extremely, extremely well.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26She's one of these people that, you know,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30when you see her, she comes on the ward, you think, "Thank goodness!"
0:24:30 > 0:24:33No matter what kind of day you'll have, you know it'll be good cos Jacqui's there.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Ian is great, he's really fantastic.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38He's always really positive, a really nice guy.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40A bundle of laughs, really good fun.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I shall miss Jacqui and the children and Ian very, very much.
0:24:45 > 0:24:51I'd worry she'd get lonely. Cos we all need support and...
0:24:51 > 0:24:55with three small children, and her mum gives her a lot of support.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- If that's really what they want... - They're at the right age to do it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03But they've got to think about it. They've really got to really think
0:25:03 > 0:25:08about what they're gaining, what they're losing,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10and really...
0:25:11 > 0:25:14We love them so much.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16And we wish them well.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20They've really got to think what they're doing.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22It's a long way.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26We can visit them maybe once, but that would be it.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28That's right.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31We'll have to wait for them to come back to us.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35We're going to miss you. If this is a decision you choose to make,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38we're behind you 100%, whatever your decision is.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42But hope you seize this opportunity and hope you have a brilliant time.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Don't forget...
0:25:44 > 0:25:46that we love you very much
0:25:46 > 0:25:50and we are certainly going to miss you and the children.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56And we love you very much.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Anyway, we'll see you soon, OK?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Lots of love. I love you. Bye.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07It doesn't matter where we are in the world. They're still going
0:26:07 > 0:26:11to think the same of us, they're still going to be our friends.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Well...
0:26:16 > 0:26:17It's not the same, is it?
0:26:17 > 0:26:21You can't turn around to me and say it's the same, cos it isn't.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- It's not the same.- No, but it's not meant to be the same, is it?
0:26:25 > 0:26:30There's nothing so wrong with home, is there? You make it sound as if there's something wrong with home.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I've never said there is anything wrong with home.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39But then you have to ask yourself a question - if we're so happy at home,
0:26:39 > 0:26:45if everything is so perfect, if our friends and family are everything, why are we even here now?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Cos that's what you want.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50I really don't want to talk about this any more.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- No?- No.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Enough's enough now, right?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04That was harder than I thought it was going to be, actually - it was a lot harder than I thought it was
0:27:04 > 0:27:08going to be. I didn't think I would be quite as affected by friends.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I don't know why I thought that, I just didn't think I would be.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15'I was actually coming round to things, I thought I could do this.'
0:27:15 > 0:27:18After seeing that, I think we're back to square one again.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22If I'd managed to persuade Jacqui an incy bit,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26everything I've done has been undone just by watching that DVD.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30What can I say? She got emotional, I expected her to get emotional,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32and for all the right reasons in life, you know.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35I don't blame her for that at all.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40That's just the way it is, but there goes all my hard work for the week.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44The Pages had been on an emotional roller coaster.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49All week, Ian had worked hard to persuade Jacqui that moving would be the right thing to do,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53but had it worked? Would they all choose a new life down under?
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- Give us a kiss.- I'm not kissing you! - Come on.- You already had one kiss.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59We've had a fantastic week here in Perth. It's been brilliant.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02We've met some wonderful people, seen wonderful sights.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06We've gathered as much information as we can to help us make our decision,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08whether to stay in the UK or come to Australia.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11It's time for our final vote and our final vote is going to be for...
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Australia!- UK!- UK!
0:28:30 > 0:28:34After seeing all they could gain and lose by moving to Australia,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the Pages' future was left hanging in the balance,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40so three years on, what's happened since?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43It's May 2012
0:28:43 > 0:28:47and Jacqui, Ian, Lily,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Abigail and Ethan are living in...
0:28:51 > 0:28:52..Australia!
0:28:56 > 0:29:01Two years ago, the Page family took the plunge and moved to Melbourne.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03After we got back to the UK,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06I was still really determined to get the family out here
0:29:06 > 0:29:10and Jacqui was still apprehensive about the whole thing,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13and we just discussed it as much as we could, and I think
0:29:13 > 0:29:15- we got to the point where... - You can't talk about it any more.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Yeah, we'd discussed it as much as we could. We had to make a decision,
0:29:18 > 0:29:20were we going to go or were we not going to go,
0:29:20 > 0:29:24and I persisted and pushed, and I think Jacqui just thought in the end
0:29:24 > 0:29:29that she'd much rather have tried, give it a try and see how it goes.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Between coming back from Perth
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and actually getting on a plane, it was about eight months.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38So it was actually quite quick, I guess, really,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40because we'd gone from actually not going
0:29:40 > 0:29:43to writing the reservation letter and we were on the plane!
0:29:43 > 0:29:46On the Monday you weren't going, and then on the Friday you were,
0:29:46 > 0:29:48and then by the Monday again you weren't!
0:29:48 > 0:29:52With their decision finally settled, there was no going back.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54The family made the big move,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58and now live in this four-bedroomed house in the suburb of Knoxville.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03We are in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne in Victoria,
0:30:03 > 0:30:10and that was my choice because Perth was just too hot for me.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Being very close to the lake here is great for me.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I can take the kids there, they can get exercise round the lake.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21It's a wonderful, quiet suburb to live, so it ticks every box,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and the house is beautiful, it's perfect for us.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27All the children have got their own bedrooms.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30We've got a playroom and then we've got our own area,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33so our own lounge, and it just works really well.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It gives us some privacy for adults,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39and it also gives us family space and it gives the kids their space.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42So how did Ian convince Jacqui to come out to Australia
0:30:42 > 0:30:45after she had originally voted against it?
0:30:45 > 0:30:50I don't think it was any one thing that really changed Jacqui's mind
0:30:50 > 0:30:52but I guess it was just, you know, persistence,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and every time I was presented with an obstacle from her
0:30:55 > 0:30:57to say, "I'm not going,"
0:30:57 > 0:31:00I worked really hard to try and change that situation around.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I was very dogged and determined.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04I wasn't going to take no for an answer.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I felt that it was that important, that it needed to be done.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It was an opportunity that was offered, you know,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13and it doesn't come to everybody, and it...
0:31:14 > 0:31:16Yeah, I just thought, "I don't want to regret it."
0:31:16 > 0:31:19And that's an overriding thing, I guess, in my life, really.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21I don't want to have any regrets in life.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24But the Pages' journey hasn't been an easy one.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28As she feared, Jacqui initially found it devastating
0:31:28 > 0:31:29to leave her life back home.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'I hated being in Australia when I first came.'
0:31:34 > 0:31:36I hated it, absolutely hated it.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40There was nothing positive I saw about it at all.
0:31:40 > 0:31:41I couldn't see anything.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44The first night we actually arrived,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46we had jetlag and we woke up in the middle of the night
0:31:46 > 0:31:48and I was pretty much hysterical.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53Ian was then on the laptop, madly looking for a flight to go home,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56because I was just beside myself.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01I think that's very similar to how it's been for the last two years,
0:32:01 > 0:32:03it's been up and down, up and down,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05it's either been very high or very low.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09You know, some days, Jacqui's so tired and frustrated
0:32:09 > 0:32:12and can't see a way forward.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16It is tough trying to convince her this was the right thing to do
0:32:16 > 0:32:18when those days occur.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22In fact, things were so tough that eight months after arriving,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Jacqui returned to the UK for a two-week time out.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30When I went home, I guess...
0:32:32 > 0:32:34I was in two minds, really, what I wanted to do.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I really didn't know.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Honestly, I really didn't have a clue what was going on with my head
0:32:40 > 0:32:42or whether I wanted to stay in Australia.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44I sat down with a lot of friends
0:32:44 > 0:32:48and we just settled down and unpicked things a bit, really.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55What would I do if I went back home, and what chances I've got here.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57I was glad that Jacqui had that time back in the UK.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I think she needed that. I think it was good for her.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I think it was the tonic that she needed at the time,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06so I'm glad that she did go back.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10I managed to come back to Australia with new eyes, I think,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14and the homesickness seemed to have settled down.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16I do still miss things,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20but I can actually appreciate Australia as well now.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29For Jacqui, one of the hardest things to leave behind
0:33:29 > 0:33:31was the hospital where she worked
0:33:31 > 0:33:34and the relationships she had with her patients and colleagues.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39So how has she settled into work in Australia?
0:33:39 > 0:33:44'At this hospital, I'm classed as an associate nurse unit manager.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46'I'm in charge of the ward when I'm on shift,
0:33:46 > 0:33:51'so that's a 20-bedded ward and all that happens on that ward.'
0:33:51 > 0:33:55I worked at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey for 16 years,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57'so I loved it, and coming to Australia,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00'I've almost had to start again because they don't know me,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04'they don't know what I'm capable of, they haven't a history with me.'
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Right, thanks, Sister.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07- Bye-bye now.- Bye.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11I've just started to make some connections with the nurses here,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15'and we kind of have quite a lot of banter. It is limited because'
0:34:15 > 0:34:19I have the kids at home and there's only so much spare time I've got.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24'I think if you'd asked me a year ago whether it balanced out,'
0:34:24 > 0:34:26the friends and family thing and missing home,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30I would have said, "I'll take that ticket any time and go home."
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Now, I'm starting to see the opportunities here.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39Now, I'm starting to see that there could be a career here for me.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42While Jacqui has found her feet at work,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Ian has faced some setbacks to his career plans.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Very quickly after arriving here,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51I put my application in to join the Victoria police.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54The initial part of that is to undergo some tests,
0:34:54 > 0:35:01and I badly injured my knee doing one of the physical exercises,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04and I was really disappointed that I'd failed that process.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Because Ian wasn't working, I then had to step up to the plate
0:35:07 > 0:35:09and I had to earn the money.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12It was my job that got us over here
0:35:12 > 0:35:15and it's me, really, that's kept us going, I guess.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20Jacqui's been the sole breadwinner of the family since we arrived, and...
0:35:22 > 0:35:26You know, all credit to her, she's been working really hard.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29The shift in roles has taken quite a bit of adjusting to.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36I've had to give up, really, being a stay-at-home mum that I was at home.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I brought up the kids, really, whereas here,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Ian has brought up the children more
0:35:41 > 0:35:45and I'm the one that pops in and out, which can be difficult.
0:35:45 > 0:35:51I'd say my biggest regret is kind of letting Jacqui down a little bit.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I made some promises to her before we came out here
0:35:54 > 0:35:59that it wouldn't be tough and, you know, and I let her down.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02It's my responsibility because I was pushing for this,
0:36:02 > 0:36:04so I feel really guilty about that.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07I think he was looking at it first through rose-coloured glasses
0:36:07 > 0:36:10and I think he thought everything was going to be great
0:36:10 > 0:36:13and I think that the realisation that actually, you know,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16it hasn't worked as he planned, I think probably hit him a bit hard.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21It has been a frustrating time, and it remains to be a frustrating time.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I'm in a situation that I don't want to be in.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28I feel a little bit trapped and a little bit cornered,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and I'm trying to claw my way out of it.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34But Ian's original fitness test
0:36:34 > 0:36:39has prompted some positive lifestyle changes for both of them.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42My application for Victoria police is now back on.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I've currently gone through the assessment process again.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48I'm just waiting for a new fitness date.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Looking back on it now, I've no-one really to blame but myself,
0:36:52 > 0:36:54you know, I was overweight,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57I was out of condition and I was unprepared for it.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01'Ian, he was really quite down'
0:37:01 > 0:37:05and didn't know where his life was going, so I think part of that is,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08losing the weight has made him feel so much better about himself,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11and given him a goal to aim for as well, while he's here.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16'My lifestyle had to change, and I wanted it to change as well,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18'so I'm living a much better lifestyle, eating better,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22'and just generally all-round feel a lot better.'
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Were both enjoying keeping fit,
0:37:24 > 0:37:29and the country lends itself more to the outdoor type of life,
0:37:29 > 0:37:33you know. We do spend a lot more time outdoors and doing things
0:37:33 > 0:37:35than we ever did in the UK,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37so because of that, we are fitter, I think.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39'It's become a little bit of a challenge now,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42'a battle of who'll get to what. We have little charts,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44'we mark down our weight loss each week.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It's been quite a... It's been quite fun to do it together.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- It's quite fun to do it together. - Yeah.- And, you know...
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- I'm actually winning at the moment, I'd like to point out.- Yeah(!)
0:37:54 > 0:37:58And the children are also enjoying their new Aussie lifestyle
0:37:58 > 0:38:01and fitter, healthier parents.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03I think the children have settled in really well.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05They've got some lovely, lovely friends.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09They do lots of after-school activities, ballet, drama, swimming.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Here, even the parents are encouraged to get involved
0:38:12 > 0:38:14in the school's activities,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16something Jacqui has really embraced.
0:38:16 > 0:38:17Friday is my day off,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20and that's the day I spend with the children and I can come in
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and do the literacy group with Abigail and her class.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26OK, and Jack, put your name at the top.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Georgia.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Gosh, you've got lovely writing.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34'Pretty much every mum comes in for an hour, once a week,
0:38:34 > 0:38:35'to either do literacy'
0:38:35 > 0:38:38or to do PE or to do something,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and it makes you feel part of the community,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43it makes you feel part of the community of the school,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45and the kids love it.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46With the children happy,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Jacqui can see the benefits of the Pages' new life
0:38:49 > 0:38:52and knowing they have a future in Australia
0:38:52 > 0:38:55has made those difficult times more bearable.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59It's been a huge difference to have the girls settled here, because if
0:38:59 > 0:39:04they're unsettled, that would make life pretty much almost unbearable.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08It's a wonderful experience.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11My children have seen wild kangaroos jumping around
0:39:11 > 0:39:15and they've spent time on the beach. Last week, we were rock-pooling.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Pull!
0:39:16 > 0:39:21There's only one thing that I miss back in England.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24It's English chocolate.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26I like the English chocolate too.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28Me too!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37With the Pages' family life blossoming,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40another challenge for Jacqui has been leaving her loved ones behind
0:39:40 > 0:39:43and making a whole new set of friends.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- Hello.- Come in.- Come on, then.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49'I think we are starting to connect with people'
0:39:49 > 0:39:53and starting to make friendships now. It has taken a long time.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57Having children makes making friends or meeting people a lot easier,
0:39:57 > 0:39:59you know, from that point of view,
0:39:59 > 0:40:01'because you're obviously all going to the school
0:40:01 > 0:40:05'or dropping the kids off. You do meet people through the children.'
0:40:05 > 0:40:08We first met Jacqui and Ian and the kids
0:40:08 > 0:40:11when we invited them to Ollie's birthday
0:40:11 > 0:40:14and Abigail walked in with a present that was bigger than her!
0:40:14 > 0:40:15So that was quite funny.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17The first year,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19I don't feel I really made that many connections at all.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23I think I've done better in the last six months because I feel better.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31When I first came, most weekends I spent crying
0:40:31 > 0:40:34and life really was work, sleep...
0:40:35 > 0:40:39..and eat, and that was it. There wasn't anything else.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43So life is very different now.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48I actually will go out and actually spend time with other people.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50I think I had to get in the right head space
0:40:50 > 0:40:54and after about 18 months and going home, I'm a lot more settled.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56Look at her ears. Can you feel how soft her ears are?
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Despite her initial worries on their first visit,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Jacqui seems to have warmed to her new life in Australia.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Ian was always passionate about the move, but even he's faced
0:41:07 > 0:41:11more challenges than he expected, so has all the upheaval been worth it?
0:41:13 > 0:41:17I think I've learned, don't always wish for what you want,
0:41:17 > 0:41:21because you might get it, and it might not be what you thought it might be!
0:41:21 > 0:41:25'I'm glad that I finally persuaded my wife to move, and I think
0:41:25 > 0:41:29'I just have to show her now that it was the right thing to do.'
0:41:29 > 0:41:30Cheers, cheers. Cheers, my dear.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I think it has brought us together,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35because we've had to,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37'we've had to really pull on one another.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40'I think if we can survive this and get through this,
0:41:40 > 0:41:42'I think we can pretty much outride anything.'
0:41:44 > 0:41:48'The kids are really happy, you know, and they're really settled
0:41:48 > 0:41:50'and Ian has a goal in life,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54'which he struggled to find in the UK, and I've managed to give that'
0:41:54 > 0:41:58to them and achieve that, so I can never regret coming.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00I wouldn't regret coming. It's not a regret.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04'We may stay in Australia, we may not.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06'I don't know, I can't tell the future'
0:42:06 > 0:42:10but England, for me, I think will always be home
0:42:10 > 0:42:13'and whatever happens, we'll always be together.'
0:42:13 > 0:42:15LAUGHTER
0:42:15 > 0:42:17'I'd say I'm highly optimistic.'
0:42:17 > 0:42:22I really believe that I'm now getting more focused.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25'I've got a long way to go still,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29'but I have a great wife that understands and supports me'
0:42:29 > 0:42:32and I'm thankful for that,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35so have faith, we'll get there.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- 21st May, yeah. Two years. - Two years' anniversary!
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Nearly our second anniversary now!
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Cheers.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48'I'm glad I'm here.'
0:42:48 > 0:42:50I'm not going to have regrets in life.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Moving to another country is never easy
0:42:54 > 0:42:58and the Pages have had to face some tough times settling into their new lives,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02but for now, at least, their future lies in Australia.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04We wish them the very best of luck.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd