Buchanan Family

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06Convincing the people you love to emigrate can be a very tough job.

0:00:06 > 0:00:10Especially if they have serious doubts.

0:00:10 > 0:00:11Back in 2011,

0:00:11 > 0:00:15the Buchanan family faced a choice that could have split them apart.

0:00:15 > 0:00:19So two years on, where are they now?

0:00:21 > 0:00:24When the Buchanans visited Australia in 2011,

0:00:24 > 0:00:27things did not go exactly to plan.

0:00:27 > 0:00:29And it started with the properties.

0:00:29 > 0:00:34- Oh, God, there's a cockroach! - It's horrible.- Yeah.

0:00:34 > 0:00:38Angie's daughter Sophie was torn at the idea of leaving her dad.

0:00:38 > 0:00:39I think the most hardest thing for me

0:00:39 > 0:00:43would be leaving my dad and my sisters and my stepmum.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45I try not to think about it, to be honest.

0:00:45 > 0:00:47When we last saw them a year ago,

0:00:47 > 0:00:51eldest son Jordan's disabilities had raised visa issues

0:00:51 > 0:00:52and they were still in the UK.

0:00:52 > 0:00:55When we initially found out about the visa,

0:00:55 > 0:00:58Jordan maybe not being eligible,

0:00:58 > 0:01:00we were obviously a bit shocked.

0:01:00 > 0:01:05So one year on, are they any closer to starting a new life down under?

0:01:26 > 0:01:28Two years ago,

0:01:28 > 0:01:31the Buchanan family faced a huge decision -

0:01:31 > 0:01:34whether to leave their home and loved ones behind in the UK

0:01:34 > 0:01:37for a new start in Australia.

0:01:37 > 0:01:40We gave them a week to experience the reality of living down under

0:01:40 > 0:01:43and then caught up with them a year later.

0:01:43 > 0:01:47Today, we'll find out what's happened since we last met.

0:01:47 > 0:01:51In 2011, it took the Buchanans 24 hours

0:01:51 > 0:01:53to make the journey from Scotland to Australia.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56Plenty of time for them to think about

0:01:56 > 0:01:58what they were about to take on.

0:01:58 > 0:02:01- It was tough.- I don't think we could get used to that.

0:02:01 > 0:02:02Nobody could get used to that.

0:02:02 > 0:02:04If we make the decision to stay here

0:02:04 > 0:02:07then I think the visits back home would be limited.

0:02:07 > 0:02:10But regardless of the long journey,

0:02:10 > 0:02:13the family were looking forward to the week ahead.

0:02:13 > 0:02:16Back in the UK, the Buchanans were living in Armadale,

0:02:16 > 0:02:19a small town near Edinburgh.

0:02:19 > 0:02:21There was Angie and husband Jason,

0:02:21 > 0:02:23along with Angie's son Jordan, who was 18,

0:02:23 > 0:02:25her daughter Sophie, who was 13,

0:02:25 > 0:02:27and their baby son Jay, who was two.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31They had been married for six years

0:02:31 > 0:02:34but from the beginning, Jason had one dream for the family.

0:02:36 > 0:02:39I visited Australia about nine years ago

0:02:39 > 0:02:42and ever since I've met Angie, I've wanted to go back.

0:02:44 > 0:02:45Unfortunately for Jason,

0:02:45 > 0:02:49Angie had very different ideas about where their future lay.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53I've never fancied going.

0:02:53 > 0:02:54I've always been...

0:02:54 > 0:02:58"I'm Scottish, I stay in Scotland, this is where all my roots are."

0:02:58 > 0:03:02I like being a mum, having foundations for your family.

0:03:02 > 0:03:05Whereas Jason would pack his bags and go tomorrow.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09However, concerns about the children's future

0:03:09 > 0:03:12had pushed Angie to finally consider Australia.

0:03:14 > 0:03:19We believe, after hours and hours of discussion,

0:03:19 > 0:03:22that it would be best for all of us in the family,

0:03:22 > 0:03:23in particular Jordan...

0:03:23 > 0:03:27I think Jordan would benefit the most out of everybody.

0:03:27 > 0:03:3118-year-old Jordan's disabilities require extra care.

0:03:31 > 0:03:34Jason and Angie believe that a move to Australia

0:03:34 > 0:03:36could improve his life dramatically.

0:03:36 > 0:03:39Jordan flourishes in the summer,

0:03:39 > 0:03:41- when we go on holiday. - Yeah, if we go on holiday,

0:03:41 > 0:03:44Jordan becomes a different boy altogether.

0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's the weather affecting his joints and stuff like that,

0:03:47 > 0:03:50so his mobility, his posture.

0:03:50 > 0:03:52He really finds it difficult here.

0:03:52 > 0:03:54When it comes to wintertime,

0:03:54 > 0:03:56Jordan basically hibernates in the room at winter.

0:03:56 > 0:03:58We certainly believe

0:03:58 > 0:04:00that he's got more potential than sitting in a room.

0:04:02 > 0:04:06But it was Angie's daughter Sophie who was most worried about the move

0:04:06 > 0:04:07as she faced the possibility

0:04:07 > 0:04:11of living on the other side of the world from her dad.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14I don't fancy living in Australia at all.

0:04:14 > 0:04:18My biggest fear would be I would never ever see my little sisters

0:04:18 > 0:04:23or my dad or my friends and stuff ever again.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26So it would be quite upsetting to leave them and stuff.

0:04:26 > 0:04:30It's hard cos I don't want Sophie leaving her family,

0:04:30 > 0:04:34her dad and her sisters and her stepfamily.

0:04:34 > 0:04:36But the thing with Sophie

0:04:36 > 0:04:39is that I'm trying to better Sophie's life for her,

0:04:39 > 0:04:41give her more opportunities.

0:04:41 > 0:04:45And I think when we go to Australia, she'll flourish.

0:04:45 > 0:04:49So I need to make sure that Sophie's OK going to Australia.

0:04:49 > 0:04:52And with a close family network,

0:04:52 > 0:04:56Angie and Jason were also aware of what they would be giving up.

0:04:56 > 0:05:00My biggest concern would be leaving my mum.

0:05:00 > 0:05:02We see her almost daily.

0:05:02 > 0:05:03So not only am I leaving her

0:05:03 > 0:05:07but I'm taking her grandkids away as well.

0:05:08 > 0:05:12Half of me feels that I should stay for family ties.

0:05:12 > 0:05:14My family mean the world to me.

0:05:14 > 0:05:16I have daily contact.

0:05:16 > 0:05:18And I know that they'll visit

0:05:18 > 0:05:22but it's not the same as seeing them week to week.

0:05:22 > 0:05:26They had finally decided to give Australia a try.

0:05:26 > 0:05:28But with only one week to persuade his family,

0:05:28 > 0:05:30Jason knew the pressure was on.

0:05:30 > 0:05:33It's the two girls that we have to convince,

0:05:33 > 0:05:36to ensure that this goes through -

0:05:36 > 0:05:38Sophie and Angie.

0:05:38 > 0:05:41Jason would be there tomorrow. It's his dream.

0:05:41 > 0:05:44But at the end of the day, it's not just Jason's choice,

0:05:44 > 0:05:47it's Jordan and Sophie and Jay's as well.

0:05:47 > 0:05:48It's a family thing.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56For their week in Australia,

0:05:56 > 0:05:58the Buchanans stayed in the Redcliffe area,

0:05:58 > 0:06:0020 miles north of Brisbane.

0:06:00 > 0:06:03Their base was a traditional Queensland timber house.

0:06:03 > 0:06:07As it was Angie and the children's first experience of living in Australia,

0:06:07 > 0:06:10Jason knew it needed to make a good impression.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14Oh, this is big, Jay.

0:06:14 > 0:06:17Oh, this is the dining room.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Oh, this is Jay's room! - Let me see!

0:06:22 > 0:06:25Cool! And that's Jordy's bed.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28This is bigger than your room, isn't it?

0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Aye!- Cool.

0:06:31 > 0:06:33That all sounded positive.

0:06:33 > 0:06:35But once they'd had a chance to unpack,

0:06:35 > 0:06:37there were a few second thoughts.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40First impressions of the house -

0:06:40 > 0:06:41very old-fashioned.

0:06:41 > 0:06:45Definitely wouldn't be something that we would look at.

0:06:45 > 0:06:46Since I've got here,

0:06:46 > 0:06:50it's not really blown me away as much as I thought it would.

0:06:50 > 0:06:53So I hope it opens up to me, like, during the week.

0:06:54 > 0:06:56And after the first night,

0:06:56 > 0:06:58things had gone from bad to worse.

0:07:02 > 0:07:03When we came in yesterday,

0:07:03 > 0:07:07I don't think either one of us were completely happy with the house

0:07:07 > 0:07:09but it just got worse.

0:07:09 > 0:07:12Behind the surface, the house was disgusting.

0:07:12 > 0:07:16We saw a mouse and that kind of scared me.

0:07:16 > 0:07:18So, like, as far as it goes for me,

0:07:18 > 0:07:22I'm not convinced at all that I would like to live here.

0:07:22 > 0:07:25It was a bad start to the Buchanans' week

0:07:25 > 0:07:28and a blow for Jason's hopes of convincing them to emigrate.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34Thankfully, a rapid relocation to a modern apartment

0:07:34 > 0:07:36free of visitors and right next to the beach

0:07:36 > 0:07:39helped raise everyone's spirits.

0:07:39 > 0:07:41This is nice!

0:07:42 > 0:07:43This is much better.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52Back in the UK, the family lived in a modern five-bedroom home.

0:07:52 > 0:07:55It was their pride and joy and they had strong ideas

0:07:55 > 0:07:58about what houses down under would need to offer.

0:07:58 > 0:08:00We need a four-bedroomed house

0:08:00 > 0:08:03because of the different ages of the kids.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06Hopefully a newer build house.

0:08:06 > 0:08:10The dream is to go there and have a nice standard of living,

0:08:10 > 0:08:14which in the first place equates to a nice house.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17They thought their house was worth around £180,000

0:08:17 > 0:08:20and they could have a budget of 250,000.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25We arranged to give the Buchanans

0:08:25 > 0:08:27a taste of Brisbane's housing market.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29We showed them three typical options,

0:08:29 > 0:08:32based upon what they wanted from their ideal home,

0:08:32 > 0:08:34what they could afford

0:08:34 > 0:08:36and the real price of property down under.

0:08:36 > 0:08:38After seeing what was on offer,

0:08:38 > 0:08:41we revealed to them just how much each house cost.

0:08:45 > 0:08:48The first stop was this four-bedroom house in Scarborough,

0:08:48 > 0:08:5020 miles north of Brisbane.

0:08:50 > 0:08:53It was close to the beach and shops but in need of renovation,

0:08:53 > 0:08:56which should have meant it was good value for money.

0:08:56 > 0:08:57Did the Buchanans like it?

0:09:01 > 0:09:03- It's strange, eh?- What's this?

0:09:03 > 0:09:05Oh...Oh!

0:09:05 > 0:09:08There's a big cockroach up there.

0:09:08 > 0:09:11Yeech! That wasn't a good start to any house viewing.

0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Oh, my God.- It's horrible.- Yeah.

0:09:14 > 0:09:16Oh, God, there's a cockroach!

0:09:18 > 0:09:22- So this is the living area. - Living area?

0:09:22 > 0:09:24It's just strange. I can't get my head round it.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26It wasn't any better upstairs

0:09:26 > 0:09:30but Jason did have an idea on how to improve things.

0:09:30 > 0:09:32If anything was to be done with this house,

0:09:32 > 0:09:35- I think it needs knocked down and rebuilt.- Aye.

0:09:35 > 0:09:38What about little Jay? He seemed pretty relaxed.

0:09:38 > 0:09:39Do you like this house?

0:09:39 > 0:09:40No.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43This house was definitely not the start Jason wanted

0:09:43 > 0:09:47and that was before they had even find out its price.

0:09:47 > 0:09:51Was there budget of £250,000 enough to cover the property

0:09:51 > 0:09:53and renovation costs?

0:09:53 > 0:09:56- No way!- 217,000.

0:09:57 > 0:09:59- No chance!- No chance.

0:09:59 > 0:10:00It might have been affordable

0:10:00 > 0:10:05but this house had got Jason's dream off to the worst possible start.

0:10:07 > 0:10:09The second house, also in Scarborough,

0:10:09 > 0:10:12had four bedrooms and was close to the waterfront.

0:10:12 > 0:10:15For Jason, it really needed to impress.

0:10:15 > 0:10:20Oh, look at that, Jay! Wow!

0:10:20 > 0:10:24- This is more like what we were hoping for.- I love it.

0:10:24 > 0:10:26The pool was a great start

0:10:26 > 0:10:28but they were yet to set foot indoors.

0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Oh, that's nice.- This is lovely. - Oh, wow, look at that.

0:10:31 > 0:10:34The layout's spot-on.

0:10:34 > 0:10:37- It's lovely.- It's lovely. - Absolutely lovely.

0:10:37 > 0:10:40I love the ceiling, I love the windows.

0:10:40 > 0:10:42Just the whole layout, it's just perfect.

0:10:42 > 0:10:44This was music to Jason's ears.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46Is this Jordy's room?

0:10:46 > 0:10:49We'd need to get this decorated for you, wouldn't we?

0:10:49 > 0:10:51You'd get everything in here.

0:10:51 > 0:10:53You think this would be the perfect size for you?

0:10:54 > 0:10:57This house had done a far better job of impressing the Buchanans

0:10:57 > 0:11:00but with a budget of £250,000,

0:11:00 > 0:11:03would it be within reach?

0:11:03 > 0:11:05So this is the price of this house...

0:11:05 > 0:11:06Are you ready?

0:11:07 > 0:11:09365.

0:11:09 > 0:11:12- I would say that was definitely... - Worth it.

0:11:12 > 0:11:16- ..at the very limit on what we could afford.- Mm.- I think.

0:11:16 > 0:11:18It looked like Jason's hopes of moving his family

0:11:18 > 0:11:20were on the up.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23But the price wasn't ideal.

0:11:23 > 0:11:26Could the final house convince everyone

0:11:26 > 0:11:28without breaking the bank?

0:11:28 > 0:11:30It was a four-bedroom new build in North Lakes,

0:11:30 > 0:11:33slightly closer to central Brisbane.

0:11:33 > 0:11:35But as it was 15 minutes inland,

0:11:35 > 0:11:37it should have offered more value for money.

0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Wow!- Wow! Love it.

0:11:40 > 0:11:43This is nice. This is nice! JAY SQUEALS

0:11:45 > 0:11:48For me, this ticks all the boxes.

0:11:48 > 0:11:50This would be my dream home.

0:11:50 > 0:11:55- There's a pool!- Never mind the pool, look at the barbecue.

0:11:55 > 0:11:56Unbelievable.

0:11:56 > 0:11:58Mum and Dad were convinced

0:11:58 > 0:12:00but did the rest of the family agree?

0:12:00 > 0:12:03I think I would consider moving...

0:12:03 > 0:12:05- For this house? - ..if this was our house.

0:12:06 > 0:12:08Much to Jason's relief,

0:12:08 > 0:12:11this house seemed to offer everything the Buchanans wanted.

0:12:11 > 0:12:14But was the dream house just that, a fantasy?

0:12:14 > 0:12:18Or could it have been a real possibility?

0:12:18 > 0:12:21- 350,000. It's cheaper.- Cheaper!

0:12:21 > 0:12:25I can't believe that this is cheaper than the other house.

0:12:25 > 0:12:26It's kind of shocked me.

0:12:26 > 0:12:28That was great news for Jason's dream.

0:12:28 > 0:12:30But being over budget,

0:12:30 > 0:12:33it meant the family's finances could be put under pressure.

0:12:33 > 0:12:37The Buchanans had seen three different properties

0:12:37 > 0:12:39and after a disappointing start to the day,

0:12:39 > 0:12:42what was their verdict now on houses in Australia?

0:12:44 > 0:12:45ALL: Australia!

0:12:57 > 0:12:59It was a great start for Jason

0:12:59 > 0:13:02but getting the dream house would need well-paid jobs.

0:13:02 > 0:13:03Angie worked in social care

0:13:03 > 0:13:06but wanted to return to nursing if they moved.

0:13:06 > 0:13:09Ideally my main aim is to go back into children's nursing

0:13:09 > 0:13:11because I'm a qualified children's nurse.

0:13:11 > 0:13:15Angie's qualifications held the key to getting a visa

0:13:15 > 0:13:18but she knew that moving would involve a sacrifice from her

0:13:18 > 0:13:21to afford the lifestyle they wanted.

0:13:21 > 0:13:23I don't want to be back in full-time

0:13:23 > 0:13:26but I do understand that I might have to,

0:13:26 > 0:13:28for the sake of the children.

0:13:28 > 0:13:29But in an ideal world,

0:13:29 > 0:13:33two days a week would be great, to go back in the nursing.

0:13:33 > 0:13:36The whole move rested on her shoulders

0:13:36 > 0:13:39so we arranged for Angie to visit Brisbane's Redcliffe Hospital

0:13:39 > 0:13:42to get a feel for working in Australia.

0:13:42 > 0:13:43- Hiya.- Hello. I'm Emma Fitzhenry,

0:13:43 > 0:13:46- the nurse unit manager for Paediatrics.- I'm Angie.

0:13:46 > 0:13:49- How are you doing?- Nervous! Nervous. - Oh, you'll be all right.

0:13:49 > 0:13:53- Come with me, we'll go up to the children's ward.- Thank you.

0:13:53 > 0:13:55While Angie got to see the hospital,

0:13:55 > 0:13:57Jason took the children to the park.

0:13:57 > 0:13:58If they did emigrate,

0:13:58 > 0:14:01he'd look after them while they settled

0:14:01 > 0:14:02before finding work.

0:14:03 > 0:14:08Back home, I own my own business, dealing with office technology,

0:14:08 > 0:14:11in particular photocopiers, printers and scanners.

0:14:11 > 0:14:15However, coming to Australia, at this stage,

0:14:15 > 0:14:18I wouldn't have any ambition to start up my own company

0:14:18 > 0:14:20coming over here.

0:14:20 > 0:14:22I think it would be wise to find employment

0:14:22 > 0:14:26and see where that goes.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30Back on the ward, Emma was putting Angie's bedside manner to the test.

0:14:30 > 0:14:32Did she still have what it takes?

0:14:32 > 0:14:36So I might just introduce you to Callum.

0:14:36 > 0:14:39- Hiya. And what did you do? - I didn't do it.

0:14:39 > 0:14:41Someone fell on top of me.

0:14:41 > 0:14:43- Can I see your arm?- Wow.

0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Has your friends wrote on it?- Yeah.

0:14:47 > 0:14:50While Angie was back in a familiar routine,

0:14:50 > 0:14:52Sophie was thinking about a new life

0:14:52 > 0:14:54and what that could mean in Australia.

0:14:54 > 0:14:56Since we're here, surprisingly,

0:14:56 > 0:14:59I didn't think it'd be as good as it has been.

0:14:59 > 0:15:02I think the thing that's most pushed me towards Australia now

0:15:02 > 0:15:07is just being here and experiencing it for yourself,

0:15:07 > 0:15:08it's not like a holiday,

0:15:08 > 0:15:11it's actually somewhere you could live.

0:15:11 > 0:15:12But she still had a long way to go

0:15:12 > 0:15:15before she could choose where her future lay.

0:15:15 > 0:15:18I think the most hardest thing for me would be

0:15:18 > 0:15:20leaving my dad and my sisters and my stepmum.

0:15:20 > 0:15:22And I think...

0:15:22 > 0:15:24I try not to think about it, to be honest.

0:15:27 > 0:15:31Back at the hospital, Angie was getting down to business with Emma.

0:15:31 > 0:15:33At home I work part-time.

0:15:33 > 0:15:35- So what, is there vacancies for part-time staff or...?- Yeah.

0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Most of my stuff are part-time. - Oh, right.

0:15:38 > 0:15:40- It's the minority that are full-time.- OK.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43So, you know, it's a great work-life balance.

0:15:43 > 0:15:46Are there vacancies available?

0:15:46 > 0:15:48- We don't have any vacancies at the moment.- Mm-hm.

0:15:48 > 0:15:52But with six beds opening at the beginning of next year,

0:15:52 > 0:15:55I'll have eight full-time positions.

0:15:55 > 0:15:57Thank you. And when it comes to salaries,

0:15:57 > 0:15:59what is, like, a full-time employee

0:15:59 > 0:16:00- and what's the part-time?- Yeah,

0:16:00 > 0:16:02so dependent on your experience

0:16:02 > 0:16:04and where you would sit on the pay scale,

0:16:04 > 0:16:06as a registered nurse you could earn

0:16:06 > 0:16:09anywhere from 58,000

0:16:09 > 0:16:12to 78,000 at the top end of the scale.

0:16:12 > 0:16:14Oh, that's great!

0:16:14 > 0:16:17But Jason wouldn't want to work if that was the case!

0:16:17 > 0:16:20It was good news on the salary front.

0:16:20 > 0:16:23It meant she could have a starting pay of £37,000

0:16:23 > 0:16:26if she was prepared to work full-time.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31Today has been very, very positive.

0:16:31 > 0:16:33I feel a lot calmer,

0:16:33 > 0:16:36a wee bit excited actually, to be honest with you.

0:16:36 > 0:16:38Angie's prospects looked good,

0:16:38 > 0:16:40so how did she vote?

0:16:40 > 0:16:42Australia!

0:16:43 > 0:16:46For me, as the main applicant,

0:16:46 > 0:16:49I feel that I've got no worries getting a job.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52It's been a very pleasant, erm, experience today.

0:16:57 > 0:16:59With Angie's vote for work in Australia,

0:16:59 > 0:17:02it looked like Jason was definitely winning her over.

0:17:02 > 0:17:05But could the family actually afford to make the move?

0:17:05 > 0:17:07To help them figure it out,

0:17:07 > 0:17:11we'd prepared a breakdown of their everyday living costs.

0:17:12 > 0:17:14Oh, look at the size of the mortgage!

0:17:14 > 0:17:17Now, mortgage repayments - 1,811.

0:17:17 > 0:17:21So the mortgage payment has doubled.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24So in terms of outgoings,

0:17:24 > 0:17:28we're just slightly more than we would be back home.

0:17:28 > 0:17:32However, our salaries have increased quite substantially,

0:17:32 > 0:17:35which means we're far better off here.

0:17:35 > 0:17:37- We're quids in?- We're quids in.

0:17:40 > 0:17:41We were thinking possibly

0:17:41 > 0:17:44when it came to the calculations of everything,

0:17:44 > 0:17:45and putting it together,

0:17:45 > 0:17:48we were a bit worried, or apprehensive...

0:17:48 > 0:17:50That it wouldn't go our way

0:17:50 > 0:17:52and that we wouldn't have the opportunity.

0:17:52 > 0:17:53And that might be the first thing

0:17:53 > 0:17:55that would put some doubt in our mind

0:17:55 > 0:17:59whether it was the right move for not. But...

0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Looking at the...- It's went the other way, to be honest.

0:18:02 > 0:18:04Angie and Jason had worked out

0:18:04 > 0:18:06they would be a lot better off in Australia

0:18:06 > 0:18:08if they both worked full-time.

0:18:08 > 0:18:10So how did they vote?

0:18:14 > 0:18:15Australia.

0:18:18 > 0:18:19Australia!

0:18:28 > 0:18:31Realising they could afford to live in Oz

0:18:31 > 0:18:33was another great result for Jason

0:18:33 > 0:18:35but the move wasn't yet certain.

0:18:35 > 0:18:39Both he and Angie needed to know if Australia would offer Jordan

0:18:39 > 0:18:42the independence and outdoor life he thrived in.

0:18:42 > 0:18:45I think that the two of us would like Jordan

0:18:45 > 0:18:49- to have a wee job and... - Just have his own life.

0:18:49 > 0:18:53He is kind of secluded to his wee self

0:18:53 > 0:18:58and he doesn't have any communications with anybody.

0:18:58 > 0:19:00And as a mum, it's worrying.

0:19:00 > 0:19:04Because you don't want everything that you've done for your son,

0:19:04 > 0:19:06for him to waste away.

0:19:06 > 0:19:09So we arranged for them to visit Cascade Place,

0:19:09 > 0:19:12a day centre for adults with a range of disabilities.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Welcome, guys.- How are you doing? I'm Jason.- G'day, Jason.

0:19:15 > 0:19:18- I'm Dillon.- This is Jordan. - G'day, Jordan! How are you, mate?

0:19:18 > 0:19:20Come on through, guys. Welcome.

0:19:20 > 0:19:23This is nice and colourful.

0:19:23 > 0:19:25Everything that you see in this room here

0:19:25 > 0:19:27has been made here, by the artists of the place.

0:19:27 > 0:19:30So I'll take you for a bit of a wander through the building

0:19:30 > 0:19:32and show you some of the ways we do it

0:19:32 > 0:19:34and a couple of the other things that we've got.

0:19:34 > 0:19:36Through here we have our recording studio,

0:19:36 > 0:19:40- where we have Chris and Kieran and Jeremy in today.- Hi, guys.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42So Jordan, I know you're interested in music.

0:19:42 > 0:19:47'All I've ever wanted was for Jordan to be seen as a person,

0:19:47 > 0:19:49'not as a figure or a number

0:19:49 > 0:19:52'or just somebody with special needs,

0:19:52 > 0:19:54'but to be identified as Jordan.'

0:19:54 > 0:19:57Geoff Trappett, from Queensland Cerebral Palsy League,

0:19:57 > 0:19:59was able to address their concerns.

0:19:59 > 0:20:03What's really important for us is how we can progress Jordan

0:20:03 > 0:20:07and find the right activities or workshops

0:20:07 > 0:20:09which are going to take him into adulthood.

0:20:09 > 0:20:11So it's about building those skills up

0:20:11 > 0:20:13that someone would build up in life

0:20:13 > 0:20:16- to be able to move on to the next age.- Yeah, definitely.

0:20:16 > 0:20:19And do you get involved in employment opportunities for him?

0:20:19 > 0:20:23- DILLON:- Our job is to help Jordan with whatever his goals are.

0:20:23 > 0:20:27So if that's to get work, then that's what we can work on.

0:20:27 > 0:20:28Had the Buchanans heard enough?

0:20:28 > 0:20:31- I feel a lot better. - I feel a lot more confident.

0:20:31 > 0:20:37Just from one association that we've spoke to,

0:20:37 > 0:20:39I think Jordan would excel.

0:20:39 > 0:20:42The day seemed to have answered much of Angie's concerns

0:20:42 > 0:20:46and Jason's dream for Australia appeared one step closer.

0:20:51 > 0:20:53Before their final vote,

0:20:53 > 0:20:55the family had to face the reality

0:20:55 > 0:20:57of leaving behind the people they loved.

0:20:57 > 0:20:59While little Jay had a nap,

0:20:59 > 0:21:03they watched some messages from friends and family back home.

0:21:03 > 0:21:04I'm crying already!

0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Hi, guys.- Hello, guys.

0:21:06 > 0:21:08Hope yous are having a great time in Australia.

0:21:08 > 0:21:11Angie and Jason are meant for each other.

0:21:11 > 0:21:13They totally bounce off each other.

0:21:13 > 0:21:16And every weekend, they've always got a plan for the kids.

0:21:16 > 0:21:19Every weekend.

0:21:19 > 0:21:21No' just the school holidays.

0:21:21 > 0:21:23And they're lovely kids.

0:21:23 > 0:21:25It's going to just...

0:21:25 > 0:21:29break my heart to say goodbye to them.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31If yous do decide to move to Australia,

0:21:31 > 0:21:33I will miss you, like, loads.

0:21:33 > 0:21:35Cos we've been friends for so many years

0:21:35 > 0:21:37and, like, all the stuff we've been through.

0:21:37 > 0:21:40All the laughs and all the sad bits that we've had

0:21:40 > 0:21:43and I'll really miss them all and I'll really miss you too.

0:21:43 > 0:21:45If yous do decide to go,

0:21:45 > 0:21:47it's going to rip us up a bit

0:21:47 > 0:21:50because you're my wee sister,

0:21:50 > 0:21:52my nephew, my niece.

0:21:52 > 0:21:55It's just going to kind of rip us up a little bit.

0:21:55 > 0:21:59Well, I think they're doing the right thing.

0:21:59 > 0:22:02I know for a fact he loves me to bits.

0:22:02 > 0:22:05As long as they're happy, that's all that matters.

0:22:05 > 0:22:08Jason, I've always said to you

0:22:08 > 0:22:12if an opportunity comes up, in any way,

0:22:12 > 0:22:14go for it. And I still say go for it.

0:22:14 > 0:22:18I think it's the best decision the two of yous could make,

0:22:18 > 0:22:20for the family and yous.

0:22:25 > 0:22:26Move over.

0:22:30 > 0:22:32Are you wanting a cuddle, Jordan?

0:22:34 > 0:22:37- SOPHIE:- It has been made a lot more real

0:22:37 > 0:22:39that we might actually go.

0:22:43 > 0:22:45Just need to wait and see.

0:22:46 > 0:22:50Seeing messages from home was painful for both Sophie and Angie.

0:22:50 > 0:22:54So had it put Jason's hopes of convincing them to move in danger?

0:22:54 > 0:22:57Even Jason was starting to have doubts.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04I've always been the one driving this

0:23:04 > 0:23:07but it's been pretty overwhelming this week,

0:23:07 > 0:23:10thinking, you know, reality starting to kick in.

0:23:10 > 0:23:14And obviously I'm leaving my mum,

0:23:14 > 0:23:17which is going to be tough,

0:23:17 > 0:23:19especially with the age she's at.

0:23:19 > 0:23:21For Angie, the week had shown her

0:23:21 > 0:23:24what Australia could mean for Jordan.

0:23:24 > 0:23:25In the last few days, I mean,

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Jordan's just excelled in his personality

0:23:28 > 0:23:30and talking to people and just...

0:23:34 > 0:23:37..he's just fascinated with what's going on around about him.

0:23:37 > 0:23:39And it's great.

0:23:39 > 0:23:43But she knew the final decision was going to be far from simple.

0:23:44 > 0:23:47This week's experience...

0:23:47 > 0:23:49has kind of turned everybody's life upside down.

0:23:49 > 0:23:52From my family's point of view,

0:23:52 > 0:23:54this is going to be one of the toughest decisions

0:23:54 > 0:23:56we've got to make.

0:23:56 > 0:23:59Because it's not just me and Jason's choice.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02It was time for the Buchanans to make their final vote.

0:24:04 > 0:24:05So it's been a great week.

0:24:05 > 0:24:09Lots of new experiences, loads of vital information

0:24:09 > 0:24:13and we're now ready to vote UK or Australia.

0:24:20 > 0:24:22- Australia.- Australia!

0:24:22 > 0:24:23I'm not sure.

0:24:26 > 0:24:28Four out of five ain't bad.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Having faced the ups and downs of life down under,

0:24:32 > 0:24:34it seemed the move wasn't quite in the bag yet.

0:24:41 > 0:24:45In 2012, a year after their original trip down under,

0:24:45 > 0:24:48we caught up with the Buchanans.

0:24:48 > 0:24:51After much soul-searching, Sophie had come to terms with the idea

0:24:51 > 0:24:54of leaving her dad, stepmum and sisters in the UK

0:24:54 > 0:24:58and the family were pressing ahead with plans to emigrate.

0:24:58 > 0:25:01But they'd faced many obstacles since their trial week,

0:25:01 > 0:25:05including problems securing a visa because of Jordan's health issues.

0:25:05 > 0:25:08When we initially found out about the visa,

0:25:08 > 0:25:10and Jordan maybe not being eligible,

0:25:10 > 0:25:14- we were obviously a bit shocked. - Crushed.

0:25:14 > 0:25:19- But we immediately... - We started looking into it.

0:25:19 > 0:25:22..looked elsewhere at different websites,

0:25:22 > 0:25:25different forums, taking advice and things.

0:25:25 > 0:25:29It's still not clear cut, it's still not 100%.

0:25:29 > 0:25:32But we don't see any reason why, you know,

0:25:32 > 0:25:36even if initially Jordan got rejected on medical grounds...

0:25:36 > 0:25:41- There's ways around it.- Yeah, you just have to keep challenging.

0:25:41 > 0:25:45To help secure a family visa, Angie and Jason had to prove

0:25:45 > 0:25:47Jordan could be capable of independent living.

0:25:47 > 0:25:49Since we came back from Australia,

0:25:49 > 0:25:51Jordan's started a college course

0:25:51 > 0:25:53and it's to promote his independence.

0:25:53 > 0:25:56It's not so much on the academic side,

0:25:56 > 0:25:57it's more personal skills.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00I think a lot of it's promoting his confidence,

0:26:00 > 0:26:02his self-confidence,

0:26:02 > 0:26:04and speaking to other people

0:26:04 > 0:26:08in addition to the learning independent living skills.

0:26:08 > 0:26:11He's doing a project just now and it's...

0:26:11 > 0:26:15He's doing his on Australia. So he's coming home and he's asking.

0:26:15 > 0:26:18So that's nice that he's coming in and saying,

0:26:18 > 0:26:20"Mum, where did we go?"

0:26:20 > 0:26:22"What was that called?"

0:26:22 > 0:26:24Before, we never got that.

0:26:24 > 0:26:27And the benefits were clear to see.

0:26:27 > 0:26:30He's also started a volunteer job on a Friday.

0:26:30 > 0:26:33And he just comes...

0:26:33 > 0:26:36He's only there for an hour or two and he comes home

0:26:36 > 0:26:38and he just springs into the house

0:26:38 > 0:26:41and he's got these big shiny eyes and he loves it.

0:26:41 > 0:26:43He absolutely loves it.

0:26:43 > 0:26:45As the main visa applicant,

0:26:45 > 0:26:47it was Angie's skills as a paediatric nurse

0:26:47 > 0:26:50that were going to provide the whole family with a visa.

0:26:50 > 0:26:54She needed to complete a course in order for this to happen.

0:26:54 > 0:26:57I've done my return to nursing,

0:26:57 > 0:26:59which included an essay

0:26:59 > 0:27:02and 150 hours practical on a ward,

0:27:02 > 0:27:04a children's ward.

0:27:04 > 0:27:06I've also had to keep on my own job

0:27:06 > 0:27:10so it's been...it's been pretty tough going.

0:27:10 > 0:27:13Jason was getting the house ready to go on the market

0:27:13 > 0:27:15and although he wanted to look after the children down under,

0:27:15 > 0:27:19he had planned a trip back to Australia to look for a job.

0:27:19 > 0:27:24I've spoke to several companies in Brisbane and Sydney and even Perth,

0:27:24 > 0:27:25in terms of recruitment,

0:27:25 > 0:27:29and I've had quite good feedback from that.

0:27:29 > 0:27:32Hence, I've got half a dozen job interviews in two weeks' time,

0:27:32 > 0:27:34when I go over to Australia.

0:27:34 > 0:27:38But Jason was also coming to terms with a devastating loss.

0:27:38 > 0:27:43My mum was watching the kids, Jordan and Jay, overnight.

0:27:43 > 0:27:47And she just suddenly became unwell,

0:27:47 > 0:27:49and a day later, died.

0:27:49 > 0:27:53And so that was all really sudden that that happened

0:27:53 > 0:27:58and it obviously had a horrendous effect on us all.

0:27:58 > 0:28:00Jason was heartbroken.

0:28:00 > 0:28:01But it's just...

0:28:06 > 0:28:10It's just gave us the, kind of, the nod on the head.

0:28:10 > 0:28:15It's almost as if Australia's what we're supposed to be doing.

0:28:15 > 0:28:17It was great knowing that my mum

0:28:17 > 0:28:19gave us the full backing to go to Australia,

0:28:19 > 0:28:23should we have wished to do that when she was alive.

0:28:23 > 0:28:25So that was reassuring, anyway.

0:28:26 > 0:28:29And my mum always said that, anyway.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32You know, if we were going to go and it was going to better our lives,

0:28:32 > 0:28:35and especially the kids' lives, then we should go for it.

0:28:35 > 0:28:37So that was good to know.

0:28:41 > 0:28:43When we last caught up with them,

0:28:43 > 0:28:45despite some tough times at home,

0:28:45 > 0:28:50the Buchanans still had their sights firmly set on a move down under.

0:28:50 > 0:28:52So one year on,

0:28:52 > 0:28:54has their determination finally paid off?

0:28:54 > 0:28:58Have they made it to the other side of the world?

0:28:58 > 0:29:03It's March 2013 and Angie, Jordan, now 19,

0:29:03 > 0:29:07Sophie, now 15, and Jay, now four, are living in...

0:29:07 > 0:29:08Scotland.

0:29:08 > 0:29:10But not for long!

0:29:10 > 0:29:13Angie had been working hard to secure a visa for the whole family,

0:29:13 > 0:29:15but in the end, it wasn't needed.

0:29:15 > 0:29:17We were just ticking along

0:29:17 > 0:29:20and waiting for my paperwork to come through for my visa,

0:29:20 > 0:29:24for my nursing, so that I could apply for our sponsorship.

0:29:24 > 0:29:27However, Jason applied online one day

0:29:27 > 0:29:32and received an offer of a position in Australia

0:29:32 > 0:29:34on a temporary four-year visa.

0:29:34 > 0:29:38And it was Jason that got the visa, not me.

0:29:38 > 0:29:41So all my hard work for nothing!

0:29:41 > 0:29:44Incredibly, within days of getting the job offer,

0:29:44 > 0:29:48Jason left for Brisbane and he's now been there for three weeks.

0:29:48 > 0:29:50It's Angie and the children's last day in Scotland

0:29:50 > 0:29:52before setting off to join him.

0:29:53 > 0:29:57So basically, it's made the whole move

0:29:57 > 0:29:59go faster than what we expected.

0:29:59 > 0:30:02And the fact that Jason's been away for three weeks

0:30:02 > 0:30:04and we're flying out tomorrow,

0:30:04 > 0:30:08so everything's just went full circle.

0:30:08 > 0:30:09Jason's hurried move

0:30:09 > 0:30:13meant Angie was left to pack up the family's life in UK.

0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's been so much stress.

0:30:15 > 0:30:18You would not believe the amount of stress!

0:30:18 > 0:30:19Selling everything.

0:30:19 > 0:30:22We decided we weren't taking any of our own furniture.

0:30:22 > 0:30:26It's a new start, it's... Everything, it's a fresh start.

0:30:26 > 0:30:30So I've had strangers chapping the door for furniture.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33I've had people on the internet for furniture.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36So the house is basically empty

0:30:36 > 0:30:39and all we're doing is taking our suitcases.

0:30:39 > 0:30:42But it has been, oh, it's been hard.

0:30:42 > 0:30:44Emotionally tiring,

0:30:44 > 0:30:46physically tiring,

0:30:46 > 0:30:48but it will be worth it when I see his face

0:30:48 > 0:30:50when we come off the plane.

0:30:50 > 0:30:53Three weeks of separation has taken its toll on Angie

0:30:53 > 0:30:56and she can't wait to be reunited with her husband.

0:30:56 > 0:31:00It just feels like I cannae function properly.

0:31:00 > 0:31:02It's been so hard

0:31:02 > 0:31:05because Jason's having to do other things over in Australia,

0:31:05 > 0:31:07I'm having to deal with stuff -

0:31:07 > 0:31:09we work together.

0:31:09 > 0:31:13So Jason's on the other end of the world trying to function

0:31:13 > 0:31:14and I'm trying to function here

0:31:14 > 0:31:16and it's been really hard.

0:31:16 > 0:31:18Really, really hard.

0:31:18 > 0:31:20The children are looking forward to the adventure

0:31:20 > 0:31:22and Sophie has slowly come to terms

0:31:22 > 0:31:26with the fact that she'll be leaving her dad and half-sisters behind.

0:31:26 > 0:31:27This is my sisters.

0:31:27 > 0:31:30That's Jessica and Rosie.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33This is when we went to Tunisia earlier this year.

0:31:33 > 0:31:36She spent the last weekend with them

0:31:36 > 0:31:39and she said her goodbyes.

0:31:39 > 0:31:41And she's still heartbroken.

0:31:41 > 0:31:44She's going to be heartbroken.

0:31:44 > 0:31:47But she knows that she needs to go to Australia

0:31:47 > 0:31:49and have a better life.

0:31:49 > 0:31:52Give it a try anyway, do you know what I mean? So...

0:31:54 > 0:31:57Yeah, I think Sophie's really looking forward to it.

0:31:57 > 0:32:00My wee gran bought me this wee bracelet,

0:32:00 > 0:32:01which is lovely.

0:32:01 > 0:32:02My favourite colour.

0:32:02 > 0:32:06So...just to say goodbye.

0:32:11 > 0:32:13Hiya! How's things?

0:32:13 > 0:32:14Since Jason's departure,

0:32:14 > 0:32:17the couple have been relying on video chats to keep in touch,

0:32:17 > 0:32:20which has given Angie a chance to keep tabs

0:32:20 > 0:32:22on his efforts to find them a home.

0:32:22 > 0:32:24I've got a few lined up for later on this week

0:32:24 > 0:32:26so I'll just leave that to you when you come over.

0:32:26 > 0:32:29Like I've not done enough, like?

0:32:29 > 0:32:32I don't want that responsibility!

0:32:32 > 0:32:35- But...- Obviously. - I'll leave it to you,

0:32:35 > 0:32:38once you've recovered from jet lag.

0:32:39 > 0:32:43Well, this time tomorrow we'll be away!

0:32:43 > 0:32:46Yeah, this time tonight you'll be in Australia!

0:32:46 > 0:32:49I cannae wait to see him, can't wait to see him.

0:32:49 > 0:32:53I've never been this lonely, hurt,

0:32:53 > 0:32:55upside down, emotional

0:32:55 > 0:32:56without him being here.

0:32:58 > 0:33:00Every day is harder and harder

0:33:00 > 0:33:02cos we've never been away from each other.

0:33:02 > 0:33:04So I cannae wait! Get a big cuddle.

0:33:16 > 0:33:1948 hours and over 10,000 miles later

0:33:19 > 0:33:23and the family are finally about to be reunited

0:33:23 > 0:33:24on the other side of the world.

0:33:37 > 0:33:39Hello!

0:33:39 > 0:33:41How are yous?

0:33:41 > 0:33:42Hiya, darling.

0:33:43 > 0:33:44Give me a cuddle!

0:33:50 > 0:33:51Give me a kiss.

0:33:54 > 0:33:56Hiya. You missed me?

0:33:58 > 0:33:59Hi, you.

0:34:01 > 0:34:03Are you all right?

0:34:03 > 0:34:06I thought yous weren't coming there for a minute.

0:34:06 > 0:34:09- JAY:- I've got a bit of chewing gum in my bag for you.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12Oh, cool, mate. Give me a big kiss.

0:34:12 > 0:34:16For Angie in particular, it's an emotional return to Australia

0:34:16 > 0:34:19and Jason is delighted to have the family back by his side.

0:34:19 > 0:34:22It's just... It's an adventure. We've got lots to do.

0:34:22 > 0:34:25I'm sure it's not going to be easy in the coming weeks,

0:34:25 > 0:34:27maybe even months ahead,

0:34:27 > 0:34:30but we just need to all pull together

0:34:30 > 0:34:32and get Sophie into school,

0:34:32 > 0:34:34get the wife working,

0:34:34 > 0:34:36get Jordan into college

0:34:36 > 0:34:39and me and Jay'll just spend days on the beach.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41But I'm having a break first!

0:34:42 > 0:34:44After two years of planning,

0:34:44 > 0:34:47the Buchanan family are finally about to begin

0:34:47 > 0:34:50their brand-new life together in Australia.

0:34:57 > 0:34:58Three weeks after arriving,

0:34:58 > 0:35:02the Buchanans have just moved into their first Australian home

0:35:02 > 0:35:05in Coomera, just over 30 miles from Brisbane.

0:35:05 > 0:35:07It might not be perfect,

0:35:07 > 0:35:10but everyone's together again under one roof.

0:35:10 > 0:35:12We moved into this property a couple of weeks ago.

0:35:12 > 0:35:16It's, if we're being honest,

0:35:16 > 0:35:20it's a bit lower than our expectations were.

0:35:20 > 0:35:23It's a nice house, it's a new house,

0:35:23 > 0:35:25it's got four bedrooms, a small garden.

0:35:27 > 0:35:30But it was really important that we just got a base.

0:35:30 > 0:35:32I wanted to settle down.

0:35:32 > 0:35:35I didn't want to be staying in a hotel apartment.

0:35:35 > 0:35:38So we kind of just jumped into this house.

0:35:38 > 0:35:40And although it does its purpose,

0:35:40 > 0:35:44it's not ideal and we're already looking for a new house. So...!

0:35:46 > 0:35:50The biggest hurdle to the Buchanans' future in Australia

0:35:50 > 0:35:52was always going to be Jordan's ability to prove

0:35:52 > 0:35:54he could live independently.

0:35:54 > 0:35:58But before they left the UK, they had some great news.

0:35:58 > 0:36:02Well, we were always worried about Jordan obtaining a visa.

0:36:02 > 0:36:06However, on the 457 visa that we managed to secure,

0:36:06 > 0:36:10the four-year working visa,

0:36:10 > 0:36:12it was basic health questions.

0:36:12 > 0:36:16and the answers to them allowed Jordan to come here no problem,

0:36:16 > 0:36:20- which was...- Without a medical, without any questions asked

0:36:20 > 0:36:25- because he fitted in within the criteria.- Which was great.

0:36:25 > 0:36:28- It was a big worry off our mind, wasn't it?- Yeah.

0:36:28 > 0:36:30And a surprise as well.

0:36:30 > 0:36:33So the next stage would be applying for permanent residency.

0:36:33 > 0:36:35And from what we've been told,

0:36:35 > 0:36:39the 457 visa will just automatically carry over to that.

0:36:39 > 0:36:42So again, we don't anticipate any problems with Jordan,

0:36:42 > 0:36:44with his health conditions.

0:36:44 > 0:36:48The family's future in Australia should be secure.

0:36:48 > 0:36:50Jason's been working as an account manager

0:36:50 > 0:36:52at an office technology business

0:36:52 > 0:36:55for two months, and the job's going well.

0:36:55 > 0:36:56It's been excellent so far.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59Really good company to work for.

0:36:59 > 0:37:03Work hard and play hard, but really relaxed.

0:37:03 > 0:37:07And yeah, so far, early days, it's been great.

0:37:07 > 0:37:11And the guys have done a lot to make me fit in.

0:37:11 > 0:37:14And while Angie concentrates on getting the children settled,

0:37:14 > 0:37:17she's also been thinking hard about returning to work.

0:37:17 > 0:37:21And she's had a change of heart about the part-time option.

0:37:21 > 0:37:24But once they're sorted, obviously I want to go back into my nursing

0:37:24 > 0:37:28and that was the whole point of doing my nursing course.

0:37:28 > 0:37:31So hopefully go back

0:37:31 > 0:37:33and I'll be working full-time.

0:37:33 > 0:37:36I think working full-time over here

0:37:36 > 0:37:38would still give me family time...

0:37:39 > 0:37:43..but obviously boost our wages up at the end of the week.

0:37:43 > 0:37:45So...that's what it's about.

0:37:45 > 0:37:48Moving to the other side of the world is a massive challenge

0:37:48 > 0:37:52but the boys appear to have taken it in their stride.

0:37:52 > 0:37:54The kids are settling in great.

0:37:54 > 0:37:55Jay absolutely loves it.

0:37:55 > 0:38:00He's going to be right little Aussie surfer dude, I would imagine.

0:38:00 > 0:38:03And the dream of helping Jordan to flourish down under

0:38:03 > 0:38:05seems to have paid off.

0:38:05 > 0:38:07Jordan always shines on holiday.

0:38:07 > 0:38:10So to see that when you go on holiday

0:38:10 > 0:38:14for two weeks a year or whatever back home

0:38:14 > 0:38:16and Jordan comes out of his shell,

0:38:16 > 0:38:19to have that ongoing, every day...

0:38:19 > 0:38:21you cannae explain it.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26I just love seeing him developing

0:38:26 > 0:38:28into the young man that he should be.

0:38:28 > 0:38:32But it was always Sophie who had the most to leave behind.

0:38:32 > 0:38:36I miss my dad and my sisters and my stepmum loads.

0:38:36 > 0:38:39Like, there's no word to describe it.

0:38:39 > 0:38:41But I feel...

0:38:41 > 0:38:44Before I moved over, I felt that,

0:38:44 > 0:38:46you know, that was kind of going to be it.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49We wouldn't talk as much and stuff like that.

0:38:49 > 0:38:52But I missed my wee sister's birthday, she's just turned seven,

0:38:52 > 0:38:55but we were, like, Skyping and I sent over cards.

0:38:55 > 0:38:58And my dad Facetimes me all the time

0:38:58 > 0:39:01and I speak to my stepmum just as much as I did in Scotland.

0:39:01 > 0:39:03She's struggling just now

0:39:03 > 0:39:06so I think Sophie's looking forward to getting into school.

0:39:06 > 0:39:10She's already went over her internet access limit twice

0:39:10 > 0:39:14with Facetiming and everything else, so...

0:39:15 > 0:39:19She's a strong-headed girl.

0:39:19 > 0:39:23She's accepted the move to Australia.

0:39:23 > 0:39:27She knows that it could be a really good opportunity for her,

0:39:27 > 0:39:29as well as the family.

0:39:29 > 0:39:33So again, if we can get her interacting as soon as possible

0:39:33 > 0:39:35with people her age,

0:39:35 > 0:39:39then I honestly believe that Sophie will flourish here.

0:39:39 > 0:39:43It took a few weeks to get Sophie enrolled at a local school,

0:39:43 > 0:39:48but she's now secured a place and is looking forward to starting soon.

0:39:48 > 0:39:51Because I'm not, like, into a routine at, like, school,

0:39:51 > 0:39:53I have a lot of time to sit and think

0:39:53 > 0:39:57about what I would be doing if I was home and stuff like that.

0:39:57 > 0:39:59And that's when I start to get upset again.

0:39:59 > 0:40:03But I think, on a whole, I've got my communications with people

0:40:03 > 0:40:07and that makes it that wee bit easier.

0:40:07 > 0:40:10I think there is going to be a point

0:40:10 > 0:40:11where we do have a meltdown.

0:40:11 > 0:40:14And that any one of us

0:40:14 > 0:40:16will be missing home

0:40:16 > 0:40:19or kind of get, like, homesick.

0:40:19 > 0:40:22But the now, I just think everybody's just enjoying the experience

0:40:22 > 0:40:27and we still have contact with family and friends back home. So...

0:40:29 > 0:40:31We've all kind of settled in pretty well.

0:40:31 > 0:40:35Inevitably, there are some things the couple miss about home.

0:40:35 > 0:40:39The one thing, small thing, would be I miss the football on the TV.

0:40:39 > 0:40:42But you can obviously get that here,

0:40:42 > 0:40:45although it's, you know, in the early hours of the morning.

0:40:45 > 0:40:48But that was something that I watched a lot back home.

0:40:48 > 0:40:49So I miss that.

0:40:49 > 0:40:51But in terms of anything else,

0:40:51 > 0:40:53so far I don't miss anything.

0:40:53 > 0:40:56Yeah, I think I've got a couple of close friends

0:40:56 > 0:41:00that you miss just popping in and having a coffee with.

0:41:00 > 0:41:03But apart from...

0:41:03 > 0:41:05apart from them...

0:41:05 > 0:41:08- No.- No, I don't miss anything.

0:41:08 > 0:41:11We're not homesick. We just feel like we're settling in

0:41:11 > 0:41:12- and we fit in.- Yeah.

0:41:12 > 0:41:14They've only been in the country three weeks

0:41:14 > 0:41:17and there have been some teething problems,

0:41:17 > 0:41:20but already the family feel their lives have been transformed.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23The weather over here, it's been more quality things.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26Things we've wanted to do, like take Jay to the park,

0:41:26 > 0:41:27take Jay to football,

0:41:27 > 0:41:30take Jordan swimming into the sea, stuff like that.

0:41:30 > 0:41:33That's what we're actually experiencing.

0:41:33 > 0:41:37So I would say it's a better quality family time that we've got

0:41:37 > 0:41:39than compared to back home.

0:41:39 > 0:41:41Yeah, it's great.

0:41:41 > 0:41:44As a dad, being able to do all these things with the kids

0:41:44 > 0:41:47and with Angie, it's just...

0:41:47 > 0:41:50Yeah, it brings you all closer together.

0:41:50 > 0:41:54And if the kids are happy, then that helps us be happy.

0:41:55 > 0:41:58It's been an incredibly long journey

0:41:58 > 0:42:00for the Buchanans to get to Australia.

0:42:00 > 0:42:02But Angie and Jason both feel

0:42:02 > 0:42:04they're beginning to reap the benefits.

0:42:04 > 0:42:06The way things are going just now,

0:42:06 > 0:42:09I don't think that myself and Angie

0:42:09 > 0:42:13would ever consider going back to the UK.

0:42:13 > 0:42:15Sophie's 15 years old.

0:42:15 > 0:42:17She may decide at some point in the future

0:42:17 > 0:42:19that she may want to go back.

0:42:19 > 0:42:21Erm...

0:42:21 > 0:42:26But I truly believe once she's settled in Australian life,

0:42:26 > 0:42:30the most she would do would be go back on holiday.

0:42:30 > 0:42:33But overall, I can't see us going back.

0:42:34 > 0:42:36What I can say is we are living the dream now,

0:42:36 > 0:42:37cos it's our dream.

0:42:37 > 0:42:40It's not Jason's dream, it's our dream.

0:42:41 > 0:42:45If somebody was to say to me today, "You need to go back home,"

0:42:45 > 0:42:46I would cry.

0:42:46 > 0:42:48I don't want to leave this life.

0:42:48 > 0:42:50This is what we want

0:42:50 > 0:42:54and it's just the beginning of something new so...

0:42:56 > 0:42:58We'll no' return. Sorry, Scotland!

0:43:01 > 0:43:05It's taken them two years and lots of hard work

0:43:05 > 0:43:07but finally all of the Buchanans

0:43:07 > 0:43:10have started their new life on the other side of the world.

0:43:10 > 0:43:12We hope Australia gives them

0:43:12 > 0:43:14everything they've been searching for.