McGrath/Jackson Family

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05Great memories of time spent abroad can often plant

0:00:05 > 0:00:08the seed of something more permanent, but are they enough

0:00:08 > 0:00:13to convince your family to move halfway around the world?

0:00:13 > 0:00:16In 2012, Lucy Jackson and Lee McGrath

0:00:16 > 0:00:18took their children to Australia to see

0:00:18 > 0:00:22if Lucy's vision of a new life down under could work for their family.

0:00:22 > 0:00:25Today, we'll discover what happened next.

0:00:27 > 0:00:32For Lucy, Australia offered a chance to live the life she dreamed of.

0:00:32 > 0:00:34If we're meant to be there, we just will be.

0:00:34 > 0:00:37'But her partner, Lee, wasn't so sure.'

0:00:37 > 0:00:40I don't want to be at the other side of the world feeling trapped.

0:00:40 > 0:00:42Down under, the numbers didn't add up...

0:00:42 > 0:00:46You know, the cost is generally quite a bit higher.

0:00:46 > 0:00:50..so, one year on, has her dream become a reality?

0:00:50 > 0:00:53Our long-term goal is to be happy, um...

0:00:53 > 0:00:54wherever we are.

0:01:18 > 0:01:21For thousands of new arrivals every year,

0:01:21 > 0:01:24Australia offers the chance to live an ideal family life.

0:01:24 > 0:01:27Watching your children grow up in the sunshine

0:01:27 > 0:01:30and the great outdoors can seem like a dream come true,

0:01:30 > 0:01:34but, for many, life down under doesn't deliver the paradise

0:01:34 > 0:01:37they hoped for, and they end up returning home.

0:01:37 > 0:01:42In 2012, the McGrath-Jackson family put their dream to the test

0:01:42 > 0:01:45experiencing the reality of living in Australia.

0:01:45 > 0:01:49When it was over, they had to make an agonising decision -

0:01:49 > 0:01:54whether to stay in the UK or make the move down under for good.

0:01:54 > 0:01:56So, one year on, where are they now?

0:01:58 > 0:02:01The McGrath-Jackson's original trip down under started

0:02:01 > 0:02:05with 72 hours of travelling before they touched down on Aussie soil.

0:02:06 > 0:02:08On their arrival, the family were tired

0:02:08 > 0:02:10but looking forward to the week ahead.

0:02:12 > 0:02:15The journey was long and it was different with children.

0:02:15 > 0:02:17I'm feeling good about the week ahead.

0:02:17 > 0:02:20Um, ready for the surprises, see what hits us,

0:02:20 > 0:02:22a little bit apprehensive.

0:02:22 > 0:02:24But I think the jetlag's kicking in at the moment.

0:02:25 > 0:02:28Back in the UK, the McGrath-Jackson family were

0:02:28 > 0:02:32living in the village of Burghead near Inverness on the Moray Firth.

0:02:34 > 0:02:36Lee was the manager of a local charity,

0:02:36 > 0:02:39partner Lucy was working as an alternative therapy practitioner

0:02:39 > 0:02:44and the couple had three children - Rosie, aged 11,

0:02:44 > 0:02:46and twins Poppy and Jack, aged 9.

0:02:49 > 0:02:52For Lucy, the idea of immigrating had first taken root

0:02:52 > 0:02:57in the 1990s after a fateful meeting changed the course of her life.

0:02:57 > 0:03:00Well, I had a great job, I just didn't feel right somehow,

0:03:00 > 0:03:05so I saw a friend who was a clairvoyant and, um,

0:03:05 > 0:03:08he said to me, "You need to be in Australia. You're in the wrong area.

0:03:08 > 0:03:10"You need to go there."

0:03:10 > 0:03:13I went out to Australia to study Australian bush flowers.

0:03:13 > 0:03:14It was particularly that, he said,

0:03:14 > 0:03:16that I was to work with in the future.

0:03:16 > 0:03:20So, I travelled across Australia and I studied lovely courses

0:03:20 > 0:03:21and it just all flowed.

0:03:21 > 0:03:25'Lucy brought her alternative therapy experience back with her

0:03:25 > 0:03:28'and began running her own flower remedy sessions at home,

0:03:28 > 0:03:31'but she still dreamt of returning to the place that inspired her.

0:03:31 > 0:03:33'I'd like to go out into the bush'

0:03:33 > 0:03:36and work with the flowers one-to-one, I'd like to see them in

0:03:36 > 0:03:39their natural habitat. There's nothing physical that says,

0:03:39 > 0:03:42"Go now." There's nothing... It is definitely based on energy,

0:03:42 > 0:03:44similar to the flowers.

0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's like, um...yeah, it's based on a feeling.

0:03:48 > 0:03:52Lucy was passionate about Australia, but partner Lee was torn

0:03:52 > 0:03:56when it came to moving to the other side of the world.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59I wouldn't say I've been seriously considering emigrating,

0:03:59 > 0:04:02but I've been thinking about it because, obviously,

0:04:02 > 0:04:05I'm living with a lass that's really keen on the idea of emigrating,

0:04:05 > 0:04:09and we have children together and we love each other to bits

0:04:09 > 0:04:12and, you know, I want to be with her.

0:04:12 > 0:04:14Lee had two jobs.

0:04:14 > 0:04:17He was running a social enterprise reconditioning computers

0:04:17 > 0:04:19for disadvantaged communities, as well as

0:04:19 > 0:04:23tutoring others who were starting up their own business.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26Australia would involve leaving a work life he loved,

0:04:26 > 0:04:29but he knew what a move would mean to Lucy.

0:04:29 > 0:04:32Lucy's passion for the flowers, you know,

0:04:32 > 0:04:35it's up there with her passion for her children and her family,

0:04:35 > 0:04:39so it's something that Lucy lives by day-to-day through her work

0:04:39 > 0:04:42and also through her own personal life as well.

0:04:43 > 0:04:47Australia would also signal big changes for the children.

0:04:47 > 0:04:50They were educated at home, so moving down under could mean

0:04:50 > 0:04:53giving up an important part of the family's lifestyle.

0:04:53 > 0:04:57You know, they learn a spectrum of learning,

0:04:57 > 0:04:59rather than just academic.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02'Academic's covered too, of course, it has to be.'

0:05:02 > 0:05:05The major difference is the relaxed atmosphere

0:05:05 > 0:05:06when you walk in the home.

0:05:06 > 0:05:08It's so much more relaxed, yeah.

0:05:08 > 0:05:10And the couple's children had their own thoughts

0:05:10 > 0:05:13when it came to a potential move down under.

0:05:13 > 0:05:16Me and my dad are kind of the ones who are not as keen to go.

0:05:16 > 0:05:21It's more the twins and Mum who want to go the most.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24Um, I'd like to go to Australia because

0:05:24 > 0:05:27it's great to have new experiences.

0:05:27 > 0:05:30And I would like to go to Australia to surf.

0:05:31 > 0:05:34The family might have had separate views on a move,

0:05:34 > 0:05:38but they all agreed on what they would lose if they decided to go.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42I know that, um, my mum and dad would be

0:05:42 > 0:05:44'very upset if we left the area and I would be

0:05:44 > 0:05:47'very upset to leave them.'

0:05:47 > 0:05:50And the opportunity, you know, that we have at the moment,

0:05:50 > 0:05:52we can go and visit Lucy's folks

0:05:52 > 0:05:55and Lucy's family down south three or four times a year, it's not going

0:05:55 > 0:05:59to be that possible if we're living on the other side of the world.

0:05:59 > 0:06:02Lee's roots ran deep in Scotland and

0:06:02 > 0:06:06if he couldn't face letting go of them, Lucy's dream would be over.

0:06:06 > 0:06:09I would never drag him across there leaving all his family

0:06:09 > 0:06:12and things, he has to feel it

0:06:12 > 0:06:14'or it won't happen.'

0:06:14 > 0:06:17I will go as far as...

0:06:17 > 0:06:20a move to the other side of the world, you know, move to the moon,

0:06:20 > 0:06:24um, to make Lucy happy, as long as, as a family unit, we're all happy.

0:06:24 > 0:06:28I think, if you just really let go and jump,

0:06:28 > 0:06:31sometimes amazing things come.

0:06:33 > 0:06:35The McGrath-Jacksons faced a tough decision -

0:06:35 > 0:06:39whether to choose their future with their heads or their hearts.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43For their trial week, they visited Ipswich,

0:06:43 > 0:06:46a growing city 25 miles inland from Brisbane.

0:06:49 > 0:06:51Home for the week was this traditional four-bedroom

0:06:51 > 0:06:53Queenslander house.

0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Wow!- Oh, wow!- Colonial.

0:06:56 > 0:07:00- Oh, that's lovely, isn't it? Yeah. - Yeah.- Yeah.- Nice.

0:07:00 > 0:07:03For me, if we look at this as our move-in house,

0:07:03 > 0:07:07it's too dated for me, like, I like mixing old and new.

0:07:08 > 0:07:10I'm interested to find out how much it costs.

0:07:10 > 0:07:13- SHE LAUGHS - Not the perfect start.

0:07:17 > 0:07:19Back home, the McGrath-Jacksons were renting

0:07:19 > 0:07:21a three-bedroom modern house.

0:07:21 > 0:07:24Lucy also owned a plot of land near her family home,

0:07:24 > 0:07:27which she hoped to sell to raise funds for emigrating.

0:07:27 > 0:07:32The family had a budget of £125,000 in mind,

0:07:32 > 0:07:34if they could find the right property.

0:07:34 > 0:07:37I'd love the kids to have a bedroom each. I would love that.

0:07:37 > 0:07:40- The twins have never experienced that, so...- That would be good.

0:07:40 > 0:07:43..that would be fantastic, and some space to work where we could,

0:07:43 > 0:07:46in the future, build on, and also somewhere for people to stay,

0:07:46 > 0:07:49- cos that's really important, for people to stay.- Yes, it is.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52But my absolute dream is it's all made of wood, yeah. Isn't it?

0:07:52 > 0:07:54Yeah, and I think I kind of go with that, but...

0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Beautiful swinging seat on the veranda, eh?- Yeah.

0:07:58 > 0:08:02Ipswich was known for its old style Queenslander houses.

0:08:02 > 0:08:04For years, they'd been a cheap option for families

0:08:04 > 0:08:09emigrating on a tight budget, but as UK exchange rates had fallen,

0:08:09 > 0:08:11property prices in Australia had rocketed

0:08:11 > 0:08:15and the days of bargain basement deals were a thing of the past.

0:08:15 > 0:08:18So, could Lee and Lucy's budget keep up with their hopes?

0:08:20 > 0:08:25The first house the family visited was a classic Queenslander design.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28According to the estate agents, it was an inviting family home,

0:08:28 > 0:08:31but would the McGrath-Jacksons agree?

0:08:31 > 0:08:33Whoa!

0:08:33 > 0:08:37- Whoa!- Whoa, it's like a cabin!

0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Oh, my gosh! That wasn't expected, was it?- Wow.

0:08:40 > 0:08:42- Let's have a look out here. - Oh, that's nice.

0:08:42 > 0:08:46It's nice to come out onto a balcony. Oh, my God, this was like

0:08:46 > 0:08:47a kind of dream of ours, wasn't it?

0:08:47 > 0:08:50Having a balcony, but it's a doer-upper, isn't it?

0:08:50 > 0:08:51It's a real doer-upper.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54That wasn't a bad start, although, at over 60 years old,

0:08:54 > 0:08:58the house definitely needed some TLC.

0:08:58 > 0:09:02But it did offer the children their first taste of an Aussie backyard.

0:09:02 > 0:09:05- We definitely don't get these plants in Scotland.- Definitely not.

0:09:05 > 0:09:07They don't grow a lot.

0:09:08 > 0:09:10THEY LAUGH

0:09:10 > 0:09:13The property had plenty of Aussie character, but, with only

0:09:13 > 0:09:18three bedrooms, it seemed a bit short on space, at least upstairs.

0:09:21 > 0:09:22- Oh, my gosh!- OK.

0:09:23 > 0:09:25Wow!

0:09:25 > 0:09:29This is a shock. I didn't realise this was underneath.

0:09:29 > 0:09:33- I mean, this makes up for not having the fourth bedroom upstairs.- Yeah.

0:09:33 > 0:09:34The other thing you could

0:09:34 > 0:09:36potentially have here is your healing.

0:09:38 > 0:09:40Although missing a fourth bedroom,

0:09:40 > 0:09:43the downstairs space this property offered could have been

0:09:43 > 0:09:46ideal for Lucy's flower remedy business,

0:09:46 > 0:09:50but could they afford it on their £125,000 budget?

0:09:51 > 0:09:53Shall we have a look at the price, guys?

0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Guys, you can have a look, yeah, look.- OK.- You turn it, Poppy.

0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Oh, £196,000.- 196,000.

0:10:01 > 0:10:05- OK.- Yeah.- I reckon...- We couldn't afford that.- ..you'd be looking at...

0:10:05 > 0:10:07If we did everything we wanted to do in the house,

0:10:07 > 0:10:09you'd be looking at 30 to 50K.

0:10:09 > 0:10:11It was a tough start to the day.

0:10:11 > 0:10:13The house was what the family wanted,

0:10:13 > 0:10:16but it was at least £70,000 over budget.

0:10:17 > 0:10:21We might have to find a slightly poorer area...

0:10:21 > 0:10:23to shop around for a house!

0:10:23 > 0:10:26Lee was staying positive, but it looked like finding a house

0:10:26 > 0:10:31the McGrath-Jacksons could love and afford would be a real challenge.

0:10:31 > 0:10:35The second property was ten minutes from Ipswich city centre,

0:10:35 > 0:10:37close to local shops and schools.

0:10:37 > 0:10:41It was another doer-upper, meaning it could be more affordable,

0:10:41 > 0:10:43but would it lift everyone's spirits?

0:10:43 > 0:10:45Well, it's um...

0:10:45 > 0:10:47..a nice colour!

0:10:47 > 0:10:48- SHE LAUGHS - I like the colour!

0:10:48 > 0:10:51Maybe not on the outside, but what about indoors?

0:10:53 > 0:10:57- It's quite dark, isn't it? - It's very dark.- It's very dark, yes.

0:10:57 > 0:11:01- It's pitch-dark in here. - POPPY: We need some disco lights in here.

0:11:01 > 0:11:03I'm not picking up good vibes in here at all.

0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Why is there a door behind there? - No, it doesn't give

0:11:05 > 0:11:08- a nice warm feel in your belly... - No.- No.- ..to be honest.

0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's freaking me out, actually, standing in this room. I actually

0:11:11 > 0:11:14don't know what's gone on in here, but I don't like the feel of it.

0:11:14 > 0:11:17That wasn't a great sign.

0:11:17 > 0:11:19The house did have front and rear gardens,

0:11:19 > 0:11:22but turning it into a family home would take some work.

0:11:24 > 0:11:27- I can't even stand in that room. I'm going to have to go out the room.- OK.

0:11:27 > 0:11:31For Lucy, Australia was all about finding a house that felt right

0:11:31 > 0:11:33and this one simply didn't.

0:11:33 > 0:11:35Well, let's head out, shall we? Cos I'm...

0:11:35 > 0:11:37We'll head out and have a look in the garden and see...

0:11:37 > 0:11:39Cos there's something out there. I don't know what it is.

0:11:39 > 0:11:43Yeah, I'm not sure about the bar area!

0:11:43 > 0:11:45Could Jack have hit the nail on the head?

0:11:45 > 0:11:49It looks like a bachelor pad...even worse than a bachelor pad.

0:11:49 > 0:11:53They're into alcohol, a lot into alcohol, actually.

0:11:53 > 0:11:57More than I've ever known somebody to be into alcohol. Two bars!

0:12:00 > 0:12:04Converting this house into a family home would require a lot of work,

0:12:04 > 0:12:07but would all its shortcomings be overcome by the price?

0:12:07 > 0:12:10- So, Jack, are you ready to turn it over?- Let's look at this price.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12Find the price time...

0:12:16 > 0:12:18I think it's going to take a while to sell at that price.

0:12:18 > 0:12:20Um, it's set up as a bachelor pad.

0:12:20 > 0:12:22If you're aiming to sell a house,

0:12:22 > 0:12:24- you have to kind of neutralise it and...- Yeah.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27..give a bit more of a feel, because it just doesn't feel right at all.

0:12:27 > 0:12:31- No.- It's not somewhere where we would want to live. Yeah.- OK?- OK.

0:12:32 > 0:12:37Despite its failings, this house was still £20,000 over budget.

0:12:37 > 0:12:40It was looking like this move might not be about emotions,

0:12:40 > 0:12:43but exchange rates instead.

0:12:43 > 0:12:44After another disappointment,

0:12:44 > 0:12:48the family headed out of the city to view their third property.

0:12:48 > 0:12:50It was situated in Glamorgan Vale,

0:12:50 > 0:12:55a rural community in the outback with fewer than 500 residents.

0:12:55 > 0:12:56Like the previous properties,

0:12:56 > 0:13:00the three-bedroom house needed renovation,

0:13:00 > 0:13:03but its veranda looked out over ten acres of land, offering

0:13:03 > 0:13:06a peaceful alternative to life in the city.

0:13:09 > 0:13:11OK.

0:13:11 > 0:13:12So, we've come in here...

0:13:14 > 0:13:16- ..to the kitchen, I think.- Mm-hm.

0:13:16 > 0:13:19- It's a reasonable size.- Yeah, yeah. - Yeah. It's a reasonable size.

0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Wow, yeah.- Yeah, yeah.- Wow.

0:13:25 > 0:13:28Oh, look, the features are really nice, like these things

0:13:28 > 0:13:31and those doors. I think it needs just lots of love and care and...

0:13:31 > 0:13:34Yeah, yeah. No, this is...it's all right, yeah.

0:13:34 > 0:13:36Although it needs a lot of work and renovation,

0:13:36 > 0:13:39I really...I feel better here, definitely.

0:13:39 > 0:13:42It's got potential and I like the location.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44It's a bit further to travel,

0:13:44 > 0:13:46but you'd be willing to travel that distance...

0:13:46 > 0:13:47To have this on your doorstep.

0:13:47 > 0:13:51..to have, you know, somewhere to live like this whole area.

0:13:51 > 0:13:53Lee and Lucy were far happier

0:13:53 > 0:13:55and the children got to know some of the locals.

0:13:55 > 0:13:56CHILDREN GIGGLE

0:13:58 > 0:14:01Don't touch it on his head. It doesn't like it.

0:14:01 > 0:14:04Oh, you're a good horse. Yes, you are.

0:14:04 > 0:14:06But, faced with a tight budget,

0:14:06 > 0:14:09was this a house that could only be considered for the future?

0:14:09 > 0:14:12Are you ready? Shall we turn this over and have a look at

0:14:12 > 0:14:15- how much it's worth?- Yeah.- Right, are we going to get a shock?- OK.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17Oh, wow!

0:14:17 > 0:14:21- OK.- Yeah.- So, it's a little bit less, yeah.- 215,500.

0:14:21 > 0:14:23- Yeah.- Yeah.

0:14:23 > 0:14:25It does put a lot more pressure on me...

0:14:25 > 0:14:29for the work, which is a little bit worrying,

0:14:29 > 0:14:33and I'll be working a lot of hours and I'll be away a lot having

0:14:33 > 0:14:35to earn the money in order for us to have this.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38But, in saying that...

0:14:38 > 0:14:42you sometimes have to do that in order to get what you want.

0:14:43 > 0:14:47The house had impressed everyone, but it was way over budget.

0:14:47 > 0:14:48It had been an interesting day

0:14:48 > 0:14:51and the family had plenty to think about.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55The first property had the right feel and potential,

0:14:55 > 0:14:59but its price tag came as a nasty surprise.

0:14:59 > 0:15:01Although cheaper, the second was

0:15:01 > 0:15:03definitely not wanted down under.

0:15:05 > 0:15:08And while it was perhaps out of immediate reach,

0:15:08 > 0:15:10the final house showed everyone a glimpse

0:15:10 > 0:15:12of what outback living was all about.

0:15:14 > 0:15:19So, we've looked today at three properties

0:15:19 > 0:15:22- and now it's time to vote, guys.- OK.- OK.

0:15:35 > 0:15:37- UK.- I don't know! THEY LAUGH

0:15:37 > 0:15:38Australia!

0:15:41 > 0:15:43The houses ultimately didn't appeal to me.

0:15:43 > 0:15:45- The land in the last house did... - Yeah.

0:15:45 > 0:15:48..but when I'm looking at the costs...

0:15:50 > 0:15:54..uh, that's where I kind of sat. Based on what we've seen.

0:15:54 > 0:15:58Well, we couldn't be more split if we tried, guys, could we, really? Eh?

0:15:58 > 0:15:59We've got a mixed bag.

0:16:05 > 0:16:09High property prices got the week off to a difficult start

0:16:09 > 0:16:13and affording a life down under was looking like a tall order.

0:16:13 > 0:16:17Would work prospects in Australia help to get things back on track?

0:16:17 > 0:16:20At home, Lee was the manager of a charitable company that

0:16:20 > 0:16:23reconditioned computers for the disadvantaged.

0:16:25 > 0:16:27It was his skills that held the key to getting a visa

0:16:27 > 0:16:31and living Lucy's dream, so finding a job that could pay

0:16:31 > 0:16:34the bills would be a big step in the right direction.

0:16:35 > 0:16:39- Hi, Lee?- Yes, yes.- It's Mark.- Nice to meet you, mate, nice to meet you.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41- Come with me for a chat. - OK, thank you.

0:16:41 > 0:16:44Mark Simms managed a company similar to Lee's,

0:16:44 > 0:16:47so could he offer some much needed good news?

0:16:47 > 0:16:50We're sort of looking to set up a second branch in Logan,

0:16:50 > 0:16:52which is the next city to Brisbane.

0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Right, OK. - We'll be doing a very similar thing

0:16:54 > 0:16:58- and trying to reach out to that community to help them as well.- OK.

0:16:58 > 0:17:01So, it's quite good that you came at this time, because your skills

0:17:01 > 0:17:05could certainly be utilised in running something like that, really.

0:17:05 > 0:17:07It was a good start.

0:17:07 > 0:17:10Across town, Lucy was also hoping for a positive outcome.

0:17:10 > 0:17:11- Hi.- Hi.

0:17:11 > 0:17:14'While the children were looked after by a child minder,

0:17:14 > 0:17:17'she was meeting Kelly, a fellow practitioner,

0:17:17 > 0:17:20'to talk about their shared love of Australian flower therapy.'

0:17:20 > 0:17:22There's lot of people that are really starting to become

0:17:22 > 0:17:25interested and engaged in not only this medicine,

0:17:25 > 0:17:27but the actual bush flowers themselves.

0:17:27 > 0:17:31A lot of the people I work with are doctors and physiotherapists

0:17:31 > 0:17:32and things like that.

0:17:32 > 0:17:35That's really taking off, that understanding of working together.

0:17:36 > 0:17:39It seemed both Lee and Lucy could find jobs,

0:17:39 > 0:17:43but making Lucy's dream work out would depend on how much they could

0:17:43 > 0:17:47earn in Australia, particularly Lee, who would be the main breadwinner.

0:17:47 > 0:17:52So, what sort of salary would you be looking at for a role such as that?

0:17:52 > 0:17:55- Um, typically, we'd pay 40,000 to 50,000 per year.- Yeah?

0:17:55 > 0:17:57And I think there's a lot of potential,

0:17:57 > 0:18:00so in sort of developing various aspects of the business that could

0:18:00 > 0:18:03certainly help you do...sort of bring that figure up a bit as well.

0:18:03 > 0:18:06OK, yeah, yeah. No, that sounds very reasonable actually, yeah.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09That was comparable to Lee's salary at home.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12Did Lucy's potential income offer good news too?

0:18:12 > 0:18:15So, if you're going to be doing consultations,

0:18:15 > 0:18:18most people charge between 50 to 60 for an hour,

0:18:18 > 0:18:22and then usually 10 to 15 per essence on top of that.

0:18:22 > 0:18:24So, if you were doing four consultations a day,

0:18:24 > 0:18:27if you've got the time to have four hours a day,

0:18:27 > 0:18:29you could do that, or if you did one a day,

0:18:29 > 0:18:32you're still pulling in quite good money just from that.

0:18:32 > 0:18:35Although finding clients might take time, the figures sounded

0:18:35 > 0:18:39promising, but, for Lucy, the day was about far more than just money.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42It really is special to hear it from someone who lives her,

0:18:42 > 0:18:44who is Australian born and bred,

0:18:44 > 0:18:48and who really has a connection with plant life in Australia,

0:18:48 > 0:18:52and just to know that the amount of money you would earn is the

0:18:52 > 0:18:57same as what I'm earning in Scotland and that's great, it's really good.

0:18:58 > 0:19:01While the children rounded off the day with a picnic,

0:19:01 > 0:19:06- Lucy caught up with Lee to hear his news.- Yeah, really, really positive.

0:19:06 > 0:19:09Uh, hopefully, with the possibility of work there as well.

0:19:09 > 0:19:12And what about the finance? Did that pan out, or...?

0:19:12 > 0:19:16Again, the finance was actually quite good comparably to what

0:19:16 > 0:19:17we're looking at in the UK.

0:19:17 > 0:19:19Probably a little bit more.

0:19:19 > 0:19:23It's flipped my head around a little bit, and I'm a little bit,

0:19:23 > 0:19:26um, pickled in my brain with it, cos I didn't expect it.

0:19:26 > 0:19:30Um, but it's certainly something that is looking pretty positive.

0:19:30 > 0:19:31Yeah.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34So, was Lee convinced that working down under would be worth

0:19:34 > 0:19:37leaving the job he loved at home?

0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Australia!- Undecided.

0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Yeah, makes sense, makes sense. - It wasn't surprising, was it?

0:19:53 > 0:19:55I wasn't surprised at that one at all.

0:19:55 > 0:19:58The offers that I had were superb, um,

0:19:58 > 0:20:01- but I still worry if it's going to be enough, financially.- Yeah.

0:20:01 > 0:20:03- It's going into the unknown a little bit...- Yeah.

0:20:03 > 0:20:06..so, there's probably a little bit of fear there as well.

0:20:06 > 0:20:08Yeah, but, yeah, no, brilliant, brilliant.

0:20:08 > 0:20:10And I am, I'm moving round.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18To help Lee and Lucy figure out the cost of living down under,

0:20:18 > 0:20:22we prepared a comparison of their food shopping costs in Australia

0:20:22 > 0:20:23and back home.

0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Um...- I'll tell you one thing that's really shocked me here

0:20:27 > 0:20:29is four litres of milk...

0:20:29 > 0:20:33- Organic milk.- Yeah. £7.40!

0:20:33 > 0:20:37That wouldn't be a problem for me, cos I wouldn't drink, um...

0:20:37 > 0:20:39normal milk, nor would the kids.

0:20:39 > 0:20:43It looked like the higher food costs in Australia would have a

0:20:43 > 0:20:45sizeable impact on the grocery bill.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47Next, were the bigger costs of living.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50- Rent and mortgage... - Oh, is this in the UK?

0:20:50 > 0:20:53This is the UK we're looking at, yeah. OK.

0:20:53 > 0:20:56Lee and Lucy were paying a low rent on their family home.

0:20:56 > 0:20:59So, they based their mortgage payments on the cheapest

0:20:59 > 0:21:00property they viewed.

0:21:00 > 0:21:02OK, so let's add this up

0:21:02 > 0:21:05and see what it's going to cost to live in Australia.

0:21:08 > 0:21:14- OK, so, we're down in Australia... - Minus!- Uh, huh.

0:21:14 > 0:21:21- £198.49.- A deficit of almost £200 a month was not good news.

0:21:21 > 0:21:22SHE LAUGHS

0:21:23 > 0:21:26In theory, I think that impacts in a way, which makes you start

0:21:26 > 0:21:29questioning your whole lifestyle, which would be like,

0:21:29 > 0:21:32you'd have to start questioning, "Would I have to work full-time?"

0:21:32 > 0:21:34And I would. We've just got to earn more money.

0:21:34 > 0:21:35I think, just earn more money.

0:21:37 > 0:21:40Moving to Australia could mean the McGrath-Jacksons making

0:21:40 > 0:21:42big changes to their lifestyle.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46Would that be a price they were willing to pay to live here?

0:21:46 > 0:21:48We've done some figures for the cost of living

0:21:48 > 0:21:50and now it's time to vote.

0:21:58 > 0:21:59BOTH: Don't know.

0:22:00 > 0:22:02OK!

0:22:02 > 0:22:06It stacked up against us, but then, it didn't feel like it did.

0:22:06 > 0:22:08Even though it did, financially on paper.

0:22:08 > 0:22:11On paper, it didn't look that hot, but there are things, I think,

0:22:11 > 0:22:14- you can work on to balance it out. - Make that balance, yeah.

0:22:14 > 0:22:18So, we've not given up just yet. Not based on money, no, never!

0:22:27 > 0:22:30'In the UK, Jack, Rosie and Poppy were schooled at home with

0:22:30 > 0:22:33'a network of home educators to support them.'

0:22:33 > 0:22:36So, we took the whole family to visit a local community

0:22:36 > 0:22:39centre to meet like-minded mums and dads.

0:22:39 > 0:22:43So, you were happy home schooling in Scotland,

0:22:43 > 0:22:46and, obviously, that's been a good experience for you.

0:22:46 > 0:22:50Were you worried about coming out here and continuing to do that?

0:22:50 > 0:22:53I don't think we're worried about coming to Australia.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55We kind of believe that if it's meant to be,

0:22:55 > 0:22:57it just will be and it will all sort of fall in.

0:22:57 > 0:23:02It's really good to find places like this to share and not to feel alone.

0:23:02 > 0:23:06Because, obviously, we'll be coming out here, there'll be no family.

0:23:06 > 0:23:09- Hmm, yeah.- Which is a concern. - Well, it's like anything.

0:23:09 > 0:23:11You can be as involved as you choose to be.

0:23:11 > 0:23:14If you want to be doing a lot of things in the community, then

0:23:14 > 0:23:16you can definitely do that,

0:23:16 > 0:23:19but, you can find a situation that will cater to you, definitely.

0:23:19 > 0:23:22Making friends would be vital in continuing the lifestyle Lee

0:23:22 > 0:23:26and Lucy believed in, but that was no problem for the children.

0:23:26 > 0:23:30Is it true that what some people say that a magical creature

0:23:30 > 0:23:32like the leprechaun lives in Scotland?

0:23:32 > 0:23:35In Scotland, um, there's...

0:23:35 > 0:23:36the Loch Ness Monster.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39As the zoology lesson continued,

0:23:39 > 0:23:43Lee's thoughts turned to what he could be leaving behind in the UK.

0:23:43 > 0:23:46Everything is as I pictured it.

0:23:46 > 0:23:50Um, has it changed my mind about us living in Scotland?

0:23:50 > 0:23:53I'm not sure, to be honest. It's great to know that there are

0:23:53 > 0:23:56networks like this that can support you here, um...

0:23:56 > 0:23:58but they're not my family.

0:23:58 > 0:24:00I know this is going to sound really cheesy, but

0:24:00 > 0:24:03happiness comes from within, not from the outside world

0:24:03 > 0:24:05and I think if your family are happy,

0:24:05 > 0:24:08you could be living anywhere and it wouldn't matter.

0:24:08 > 0:24:09Three, two, one, go!

0:24:09 > 0:24:12Having like-minded families close by in Australia might have

0:24:12 > 0:24:15helped soften the blow of leaving loved ones behind back home,

0:24:15 > 0:24:19but had the Aussie lifestyle done enough to win the family's vote?

0:24:21 > 0:24:25Based on Australian lifestyle, we are now going to vote.

0:24:31 > 0:24:32ALL: Australia!

0:24:32 > 0:24:34I vote for the middle.

0:24:34 > 0:24:35Middle!

0:24:35 > 0:24:37Why did you choose 50/50, Rosie?

0:24:37 > 0:24:41I chose 50/50 because I still like playing in Scotland.

0:24:41 > 0:24:44- You do like playing in Scotland. - Yeah.

0:24:44 > 0:24:46The lifestyle feels...

0:24:47 > 0:24:51- ..more relaxed and more in my favour here.- Yeah.

0:24:57 > 0:25:00With home on everyone's minds, Lucy and Lee decided to watch

0:25:00 > 0:25:04messages from the UK together with the children.

0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Hi, guys!- Hi!

0:25:06 > 0:25:09Hi, Lee, Lucy, Rosie, Poppy and Jack.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11Gammy and Gampy here, Mum and Dad.

0:25:11 > 0:25:14Hi, Lu, Lee, Rosie, Poppy and Jack.

0:25:14 > 0:25:18We're sure you've had a fantastic time out in Australia.

0:25:18 > 0:25:20I think one of two things will happen with Lee.

0:25:20 > 0:25:23I think he'll either go there and think,

0:25:23 > 0:25:27"I should have done this 15 years ago and never come back."

0:25:27 > 0:25:29Or I think he's going to go there

0:25:29 > 0:25:33and it's going to reinforce the fact that he's always lived in Scotland.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37He does like Scotland. He's a home bird, Lee, he's a home bird.

0:25:37 > 0:25:41I think, if they decide to stay...

0:25:41 > 0:25:44in Australia, it'll be great for the children to experience

0:25:44 > 0:25:46an outdoor life.

0:25:47 > 0:25:51It would be totally different here without...

0:25:51 > 0:25:54Yeah, it would be a big hole really to fill, which,

0:25:54 > 0:25:55we probably couldn't.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00You know that if you did decide to go out there...

0:26:00 > 0:26:03Don't worry at all because we'll be over to see you.

0:26:04 > 0:26:06We're missing you.

0:26:07 > 0:26:09And we will miss you, eh...

0:26:10 > 0:26:13Staying out there, if you decide to stay out there...

0:26:14 > 0:26:19It's your choice, nobody else's. We just hope that...

0:26:19 > 0:26:21you make it for the right reasons

0:26:21 > 0:26:23and you take everything into consideration

0:26:23 > 0:26:28because it will be very, very difficult for us. We will miss you

0:26:28 > 0:26:30and, eh...

0:26:30 > 0:26:32And we don't want you to go,

0:26:32 > 0:26:36but, if you do, then that's for you to do.

0:26:42 > 0:26:44I love you.

0:26:45 > 0:26:48They knew we weren't always going to be in Scotland for ever,

0:26:48 > 0:26:49- as well, so...- Yeah, I know,

0:26:49 > 0:26:53it's just that it's the other side of the world, so it's, you know...

0:26:53 > 0:26:55- It's a bit far, isn't it, for them? - It would be easier if it was

0:26:55 > 0:26:58- somewhere in...- The UK or something. - ..somewhere in the UK.

0:27:00 > 0:27:02Lee's tears came as a shock to the family,

0:27:02 > 0:27:06but now Lucy's dream rested in his hands.

0:27:06 > 0:27:08The experience we've had out here

0:27:08 > 0:27:12so far...it's obviously a beautiful place to live,

0:27:12 > 0:27:16but then there's home, and home is home to me.

0:27:16 > 0:27:18There's no point coming across the world for Lee to

0:27:18 > 0:27:20be just miserable and missing home.

0:27:22 > 0:27:24At first, I didn't want to go to Australia.

0:27:24 > 0:27:26I wasn't interested in it,

0:27:26 > 0:27:31but now I've been here I like it much more, yes, I really do like it.

0:27:31 > 0:27:34It's more sunny so you can go out more and have an adventure.

0:27:36 > 0:27:38I don't feel like...

0:27:38 > 0:27:41I'm going to live in Australia and then I don't feel like I'm going to

0:27:41 > 0:27:46live in Scotland, so it's going to be a bit awkward in just a second.

0:27:47 > 0:27:51So, after seeing all the McGrath-Jacksons could gain

0:27:51 > 0:27:55and lose by emigrating, where would their final vote take them?

0:28:01 > 0:28:04All right, guys, so we've had a lovely week down under.

0:28:04 > 0:28:09And now we've got the final vote.

0:28:09 > 0:28:10- Are you ready? - ALL: Yeah.- OK.

0:28:10 > 0:28:12- Let's go.- Go.

0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Australia!- Unknown.- UK!

0:28:36 > 0:28:38So, why did you vote, er, well...?

0:28:38 > 0:28:41I think it's been probably kind of obvious for the whole time.

0:28:41 > 0:28:46There's no problem with it here, there's just a problem with...

0:28:46 > 0:28:49do I want to be at the other side of the world, away from my friends,

0:28:49 > 0:28:52- family?- You know, you don't have to see it as the rest of your life.

0:28:52 > 0:28:55It could be just an adventure we go on, you know?

0:28:55 > 0:28:58- And, um, see something new. - It's going to be a difficult one,

0:28:58 > 0:29:01I think we kind of need to get back, sit down as a family...

0:29:01 > 0:29:03- And process it a bit, yeah, yeah. - Process it a bit.

0:29:03 > 0:29:05Uh, I don't know, I really don't know.

0:29:10 > 0:29:13'With the family's vote spread between the UK and Australia,

0:29:13 > 0:29:17'one month after they arrived home, I caught up with them to see

0:29:17 > 0:29:19'if anything had changed.'

0:29:20 > 0:29:21When we last saw you...

0:29:21 > 0:29:25especially for you, Lee, you wanted just a little bit more time

0:29:25 > 0:29:27to mull it all over, take it all in.

0:29:27 > 0:29:30It was quite a short period of time to absorb everything,

0:29:30 > 0:29:34especially when I wasn't necessarily pro-Australia, um,

0:29:34 > 0:29:37and, you know, my heart was still held in Scotland.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41That's the big tie, um, I have...

0:29:41 > 0:29:45- back in the UK...- Yeah. - ..is the friends and family, so.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49Uh, we used Skype over there back to friends and family, which was great

0:29:49 > 0:29:53and that did, again, break me slowly into the Australian lifestyle.

0:29:53 > 0:29:55I mean, that makes a big difference, using computers,

0:29:55 > 0:29:57- being able to see grandparents... - Exactly.

0:29:57 > 0:29:59..they can see their grandchildren.

0:29:59 > 0:30:02- Absolutely, yeah. - It does open it up.- It does.

0:30:02 > 0:30:04So, shall we get the children back in and do it one last time?

0:30:04 > 0:30:08- Definitely.- Right, kids, are you there?- Yeah.- Fancy a final vote?

0:30:08 > 0:30:10- Come on in.- OK.- OK.

0:30:13 > 0:30:14Would you like to vote for the final time?

0:30:14 > 0:30:19- ALL: Yes! - OK. Let's get the flags.

0:30:19 > 0:30:22There we are. We'll get Mummy and Daddy to join you as well.

0:30:22 > 0:30:23So, this is it.

0:30:23 > 0:30:29For one final time, is it going to be the UK or Australia?

0:30:34 > 0:30:37- UK!- UK!- Australia!

0:30:37 > 0:30:41- UK!- Oh, so it's still a split vote, isn't it?

0:30:41 > 0:30:45- It's split still, yeah. - So, who's changed their mind?

0:30:45 > 0:30:49- Them.- You've stayed the same, I've changed.- Dad's changed!

0:30:49 > 0:30:52And what about you guys? Are you surprised Daddy voted Australia?

0:30:52 > 0:30:55- BOTH:- Yes!- But if it all goes according to plan,

0:30:55 > 0:30:57you'll be popping back to the UK as well.

0:30:57 > 0:30:59- Yes.- Best of both worlds.

0:30:59 > 0:31:01Well, we wish you all the very best.

0:31:01 > 0:31:02Let us know how you get on, won't you?

0:31:02 > 0:31:05- We will.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Bye!- Bye!

0:31:11 > 0:31:15Lee had been won over and Lucy's dream looked like it

0:31:15 > 0:31:19was about to become a reality, so, where are they now?

0:31:21 > 0:31:24One year later, the McGrath-Jacksons are currently living in...

0:31:26 > 0:31:27..the UK.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33On the surface, it might look like nothing's changed,

0:31:33 > 0:31:35but big plans are afoot.

0:31:36 > 0:31:38Last year has been a busy year.

0:31:38 > 0:31:39It's been absolutely packed

0:31:39 > 0:31:41and I can't believe it's nearly a year gone.

0:31:42 > 0:31:46Lucy's passion for Australia is as strong as ever.

0:31:47 > 0:31:49'I know it sounds so cheesy,'

0:31:49 > 0:31:52but my soul place, it's like the land is my soul.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54'That's how I feel about that land.'

0:31:54 > 0:31:57And persistence has finally paid off.

0:31:57 > 0:32:00After voting for Australia the last time we saw him,

0:32:00 > 0:32:02Lee's now actually ready to give it a go.

0:32:04 > 0:32:07The funny thing is, I don't think it's actually Lucy that's

0:32:07 > 0:32:10won me over about Australia. It's me and it's had to be me.

0:32:10 > 0:32:12It's like stopping smoking.

0:32:12 > 0:32:14You can't stop smoking for someone else,

0:32:14 > 0:32:17you have to stop smoking for yourself, and I think it had to be

0:32:17 > 0:32:20me that was comfortable with it, because, if not, I would have

0:32:20 > 0:32:22probably ended up going out there

0:32:22 > 0:32:24and there'd have been a lot of resentment.

0:32:24 > 0:32:27'But the family won't be returning to Brisbane.

0:32:27 > 0:32:31'Instead, Lucy has plans to explore another part of the country.'

0:32:31 > 0:32:34We want to go to Western Australia this time.

0:32:34 > 0:32:36We feel quite drawn to the Northern Territory

0:32:36 > 0:32:39and Western Australia for the work that I do

0:32:39 > 0:32:42'and we'd really like to take a bit of a road trip from

0:32:42 > 0:32:45'the Northern Territory all the way through to

0:32:45 > 0:32:47'Western Australia, ideally.'

0:32:49 > 0:32:52'With the couple both agreeing that Australia could potentially

0:32:52 > 0:32:55'offer them a better life, they've reached a big decision

0:32:55 > 0:32:56'on their future.'

0:32:57 > 0:33:02The plan is, within the next six to eight months, we're going out there.

0:33:02 > 0:33:05And Lucy's delighted Lee's on board.

0:33:05 > 0:33:08It was exciting and, um,

0:33:08 > 0:33:12I'm really glad that Lee came to that on his own...in his own way,

0:33:12 > 0:33:16you know, not through me in any way, it was just what he felt.

0:33:16 > 0:33:22But the move won't be a permanent one. Well, not at first anyway.

0:33:22 > 0:33:24We're going back out there...

0:33:24 > 0:33:27to live and breathe it and work it, uh, for a period of time

0:33:27 > 0:33:30and then, when we've done that, we can come back, reassess

0:33:30 > 0:33:33and actually look at the options there.

0:33:33 > 0:33:37A speculative move may not be exactly what Lucy was hoping for.

0:33:38 > 0:33:41Lee's like, sort of, the feet, the ground, whereas I'm more

0:33:41 > 0:33:44the kind of "Let's just do it!" Yeah, you know what I mean? Like, yo!

0:33:44 > 0:33:48You know, just, does it matter? You know, just cut through it

0:33:48 > 0:33:49and just, you know, do it

0:33:49 > 0:33:53'because life's for living and this isn't going anywhere, you know?

0:33:53 > 0:33:55'We can come back any time.'

0:33:55 > 0:33:58'But, for Lee, an extended trial period offers the opportunity

0:33:58 > 0:34:01'to put his final concerns to rest.'

0:34:01 > 0:34:04The reason we're going to go out for a short period of time,

0:34:04 > 0:34:06say, for instance, three plus months,

0:34:06 > 0:34:09as opposed to just moving out there permanently is down to me.

0:34:09 > 0:34:14Um, it's my fear of going out and then losing everything that's in the

0:34:14 > 0:34:18UK, um, home, job, etc, so it's a bit of a safety net for me.

0:34:20 > 0:34:23I'm looking at trying to get that real feeling about living

0:34:23 > 0:34:28and breathing it, working there, working with Australians, um,

0:34:28 > 0:34:30and getting a feel of it,

0:34:30 > 0:34:34and also touching in with my emotions as well while I'm out there.

0:34:34 > 0:34:37How do I feel about being away from Scotland?

0:34:37 > 0:34:41'And while his parents weren't keen on the idea of Lee moving his family

0:34:41 > 0:34:45'down under for good, they've also come round to his way of thinking.'

0:34:46 > 0:34:49'When speaking to them about the idea of'

0:34:49 > 0:34:51dipping the toe in the water and getting more of a feel for it

0:34:51 > 0:34:54and living and breathing it and working there, yeah,

0:34:54 > 0:34:56they had an understanding that that could be good.

0:34:58 > 0:35:02With everyone now on board, both Lee and Lucy have been flat out

0:35:02 > 0:35:06for the last year, putting things in place for their trip.

0:35:06 > 0:35:09They've both been concentrating on building their career skills

0:35:09 > 0:35:11to improve job prospects down under.

0:35:12 > 0:35:15Since we've been back in the UK, we've both been working quite hard

0:35:15 > 0:35:19at gaining more qualifications and supporting what, you know,

0:35:19 > 0:35:22the final journey and, on top of that, it's also been helping us

0:35:22 > 0:35:27to earn more money, um, to build towards getting back out there.

0:35:27 > 0:35:31Lee was always concerned about being unable to return to his job

0:35:31 > 0:35:34with the charity, but they've proved helpful in accommodating

0:35:34 > 0:35:37the couple's plans for a full-blown trial run in Oz.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43The charity that I work for, uh, they've, uh...allowed me,

0:35:43 > 0:35:47basically, to take some time out to go back out to Australia

0:35:47 > 0:35:49and they've said that my job will be there

0:35:49 > 0:35:51when I get back, which is brilliant.

0:35:51 > 0:35:55That's given Lee the safety net he needed to give Australia a go,

0:35:55 > 0:35:58but he's also finished some training with another charity which

0:35:58 > 0:36:00should come in handy down under.

0:36:02 > 0:36:05And the training with the Social Enterprise Academy is complete now

0:36:05 > 0:36:10and I'm a fully fledged tutor, so, uh, that again is a great tick

0:36:10 > 0:36:14in the box for me professionally and personally, um, it allows me

0:36:14 > 0:36:16to earn more money, which is going to

0:36:16 > 0:36:19allow me to put more money aside for Australia,

0:36:19 > 0:36:22and then the Social Enterprise Academy themselves have now

0:36:22 > 0:36:26set up in Australia, which is just quite timely.

0:36:29 > 0:36:32Lucy's not been resting on her laurels either.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35She started an online diploma in Naturopathy, which could

0:36:35 > 0:36:39potentially lead to another route into the country for the family.

0:36:40 > 0:36:43I may find I go on to do the degree, which would mean I'd be eligible

0:36:43 > 0:36:47for a visa on the skilled workers list,

0:36:47 > 0:36:51so that would be wonderful, but I'm not banking on that, you know?

0:36:51 > 0:36:53That's just something if it happens it happens,

0:36:53 > 0:36:56but I've been working towards, you know, a bit like Lee, you know,

0:36:56 > 0:36:58'just developing my skills more

0:36:58 > 0:37:02'and earning more money in order to get us there.'

0:37:02 > 0:37:05But it's not only on the work front the couple have been getting ready.

0:37:07 > 0:37:09I feel we've done a lot of decluttering,

0:37:09 > 0:37:12that was another thing we've done over the last year.

0:37:12 > 0:37:14We've cleaned the house out more and more,

0:37:14 > 0:37:16we're getting through all the junk, you know,

0:37:16 > 0:37:19any junk in cupboards and so on, we're just getting rid of stuff

0:37:19 > 0:37:21and that's been freeing, and we just feel like we'd like to,

0:37:21 > 0:37:25sort of, put stuff into storage, um, and go.

0:37:25 > 0:37:28'In the short term, the focus is on getting out to Australia'

0:37:28 > 0:37:31and getting that experience of living and breathing it.

0:37:31 > 0:37:34- Living it, yeah.- So, it's saving the money, making sure

0:37:34 > 0:37:39the qualifications are all in place on Lucy's side of things, for yours.

0:37:39 > 0:37:43- Yeah.- And making sure that I've got networking and work out there

0:37:43 > 0:37:46when we get out there, that is the focus.

0:37:46 > 0:37:49'Despite seeing just how tight finances could be on their

0:37:49 > 0:37:53'original trip to Australia, Lucy's not letting that get in the way.'

0:37:54 > 0:37:57For me, I never let money stop me doing anything.

0:37:57 > 0:38:00If it feels right, I do it and that's that, regardless of

0:38:00 > 0:38:03whether I have the money or not, cos I always trust the money will come.

0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Um, but, I think you felt the same, didn't you?- Yeah, yeah...

0:38:07 > 0:38:09Like, we can make it happen.

0:38:09 > 0:38:12As long as the economics add up, I think I'm going

0:38:12 > 0:38:15to get over missing my family and I know I can always come back,

0:38:15 > 0:38:19so even if we decide to move out there permanently, after

0:38:19 > 0:38:24we've done this next trip, and we do, I know that it's not forever.

0:38:26 > 0:38:29But it's not just the big trip the couple are saving for,

0:38:29 > 0:38:32there's another life-changing event in the works.

0:38:32 > 0:38:36Myself and Lucy have been engaged for quite some time now and

0:38:36 > 0:38:40I've always been known as a little bit of a lazy boy

0:38:40 > 0:38:44when it comes to things like this, so I actually, uh...

0:38:45 > 0:38:50We renewed your ring, didn't we? Your engagement ring.

0:38:50 > 0:38:54'Lee said, "This is for us to set a date to get married." '

0:38:54 > 0:38:56- We'd like to...- So, we have said,

0:38:56 > 0:38:59the idea of the marriage is meant to be months, not years away.

0:39:01 > 0:39:05The long-awaited special ceremony could be taking place far from home.

0:39:05 > 0:39:06We sort of have this feeling

0:39:06 > 0:39:10and idea that it'd be really nice to have maybe a sendoff party here

0:39:10 > 0:39:13and then go off to Australia and get married on a nice beach,

0:39:13 > 0:39:16or, you know, something lovely like that.

0:39:16 > 0:39:20'And, um, and then stay and do what we were going to do,

0:39:20 > 0:39:22'so sort of tie it in.

0:39:23 > 0:39:26'We love the idea of getting married in Australia cos it would

0:39:26 > 0:39:28'just be lovely to be out in a soul place,

0:39:28 > 0:39:31'which I feel it's a soul place for all of us.'

0:39:31 > 0:39:34The idea of Australia is brilliant for me cos, you know,

0:39:34 > 0:39:36we're going out there anyway.

0:39:36 > 0:39:41Why not just get married there? So, yeah, that would be perfect.

0:39:41 > 0:39:42That would be perfect for me, yeah.

0:39:45 > 0:39:48While the future's looking bright, there's still some slight dissent in

0:39:48 > 0:39:51the McGrath-Jackson ranks over Aussie plans.

0:39:53 > 0:39:55Rosie, Poppy and Jack are still divided on

0:39:55 > 0:39:57whether a move is for the best.

0:39:57 > 0:40:00Our kids are probably a little bit more, not confused,

0:40:00 > 0:40:03but a little bit more torn and split, because they can see that

0:40:03 > 0:40:07on one side, Lucy's ready to go...today,

0:40:07 > 0:40:10and then, on the other side, I'm a little bit more

0:40:10 > 0:40:13cautious about it, so it's probably influenced the kids' thoughts.

0:40:13 > 0:40:15Poppy's as keen as ever...

0:40:17 > 0:40:19The reason why I'd like to live in Australia is

0:40:19 > 0:40:24because it's really sunny and when it rains, it rains really

0:40:24 > 0:40:28warmly, and it's just got like a nice feel to it and everything.

0:40:28 > 0:40:31But Rosie and Jack still need to be won over.

0:40:31 > 0:40:36Rosie and me are the ones that don't really want to go to Australia.

0:40:36 > 0:40:40We'll go for like a week, two weeks or three weeks or a month,

0:40:40 > 0:40:44but not any more cos we'd miss home, really.

0:40:45 > 0:40:48'It would be nice to go out there maybe just for a holiday,

0:40:48 > 0:40:50'but I don't know if I could live out there, though.'

0:40:50 > 0:40:55Em, it's lovely, but I just don't think I could live there.

0:40:57 > 0:40:59It's not my cup of tea, Australia.

0:40:59 > 0:41:03I do like the sun and all that, but it's not my cup of tea

0:41:03 > 0:41:09living 24 hours away from Scotland or the UK.

0:41:14 > 0:41:18Lucy's confident she can address all her family's concerns.

0:41:18 > 0:41:21I'm going back out there for, you know,

0:41:21 > 0:41:25for a three-month period or so, just to initially have a feel around.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28It's perfect for Rosie, Lee and, possibly even Jack.

0:41:28 > 0:41:31Poppy's not so concerned, but, you know what I mean?

0:41:31 > 0:41:34And just to go and have a feel and see is this right.

0:41:34 > 0:41:37And not just sort of jump out of the frying pan

0:41:37 > 0:41:38into the fire type feeling, yeah.

0:41:38 > 0:41:40She still has high hopes that,

0:41:40 > 0:41:43once their feet are on Australian soil again,

0:41:43 > 0:41:47the country will begin to work its magic on Rosie, Jack and Lee.

0:41:47 > 0:41:50It would be really great if we went out for these three months

0:41:50 > 0:41:53to start with, and that turn into a year or two.

0:41:57 > 0:42:01'I feel he'll sort of chameleonize with it

0:42:01 > 0:42:04'and start to really feel how good that could be.'

0:42:04 > 0:42:07And I think Lee's up for that, if it feels right, you know?

0:42:07 > 0:42:10We just kind of organically grow it.

0:42:11 > 0:42:14Lucy's passion for Australia is burning as bright as ever.

0:42:16 > 0:42:18I just really feel that if I'm meant to be there

0:42:18 > 0:42:22and it's my soul journey then I feel I'm soul-linked with Lee

0:42:22 > 0:42:25and my family, and I feel that it'll all come together, you know?

0:42:25 > 0:42:30So, for us all to go, it's quite exciting.

0:42:30 > 0:42:34And, wherever they spend it, the family's future looks bright too.

0:42:35 > 0:42:41'The goal is just to be happy and if being happy means that'

0:42:41 > 0:42:44the family all are out in Australia, then we'll be in Australia.

0:42:44 > 0:42:48If the family aren't all happy about being in Australia,

0:42:48 > 0:42:52then we might be somewhere else, but the long-term goal is to be happy.

0:42:52 > 0:42:54Um...

0:42:54 > 0:42:55wherever we are.

0:42:56 > 0:43:00The McGrath-Jacksons are set to give Australia another go.

0:43:00 > 0:43:04If it goes well, Lucy's dream of life down under may come

0:43:04 > 0:43:09true at last, and they could be there as husband and wife.

0:43:09 > 0:43:11We wish them all the very best of luck.