France-Brotherton Family

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04For most people, uprooting your family

0:00:04 > 0:00:08for a new start abroad is a once in a lifetime challenge,

0:00:08 > 0:00:11but what if you'd already moved halfway around the world

0:00:11 > 0:00:15only to discover your dreams were still unfulfilled?

0:00:15 > 0:00:20Would you be willing to put your family through that all over again?

0:00:20 > 0:00:23In 1998, Craig and Chantelle France-Brotherton

0:00:23 > 0:00:28were forced to abandon the life they loved in South Africa.

0:00:28 > 0:00:30We had people break into our home

0:00:30 > 0:00:33in the very early hours of the morning and we were both shot.

0:00:33 > 0:00:37But husband Craig struggled to find a place he could call home.

0:00:37 > 0:00:41It gets me down in the UK to stay inside all the time.

0:00:41 > 0:00:43Makes me feel claustrophobic.

0:00:43 > 0:00:47And in 2012 when he tried to convince his family to move again

0:00:47 > 0:00:50the pain involved was almost too much to bear.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53Mum, I hate leaving people behind.

0:00:53 > 0:00:55I hate leaving people behind too, baby.

0:00:55 > 0:00:59One year on, we'll find out where the France-Brothertons are now.

0:00:59 > 0:01:02When I said goodbye to Craig I didn't know how long it would be for.

0:01:02 > 0:01:04That was hard, that was really hard.

0:01:25 > 0:01:29With thousands of miles of pristine beaches and a sunny climate,

0:01:29 > 0:01:32Australia is the number one destination for people

0:01:32 > 0:01:34moving from the UK.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38But the new life they seek doesn't always match up to expectations

0:01:38 > 0:01:41and every year over 10,000 Brits return home

0:01:41 > 0:01:43to the life they left behind.

0:01:43 > 0:01:47The France-Brothertons had just one week to experience

0:01:47 > 0:01:50the reality of living in Australia.

0:01:50 > 0:01:53After that, they faced a life-changing decision,

0:01:53 > 0:01:58whether to stay in the UK or to make the move Down Under a permanent one.

0:01:58 > 0:02:02Today we'll find out what happened next.

0:02:02 > 0:02:04In 2012, the family's trial week

0:02:04 > 0:02:09took them 11,000 miles around the globe to Perth.

0:02:09 > 0:02:13But the 24 hours in the air had done little to ease Chantelle's worries.

0:02:13 > 0:02:18I'm a little bit nervous, to be honest because...

0:02:18 > 0:02:22you don't quite know how things are going to turn out for real.

0:02:22 > 0:02:26Australia was Craig's dream but he had a long way to go

0:02:26 > 0:02:28if he was to convince his family to emigrate.

0:02:30 > 0:02:33The France-Brotherton family are Craig, Chantelle

0:02:33 > 0:02:35and their three children, Alison, then 13,

0:02:35 > 0:02:39and twins Roxanne and Tristan, then aged five.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43For the last 10 years they had lived in Donnington near Birmingham.

0:02:43 > 0:02:46Originally from South Africa, a terrifying event left them

0:02:46 > 0:02:49unable to face living there any longer.

0:02:49 > 0:02:52We had a violent incident on our farm.

0:02:52 > 0:02:56We had people break into our home in the very early

0:02:56 > 0:02:58hours of the morning and we were both shot

0:02:58 > 0:03:01so Craig was in hospital for six months,

0:03:01 > 0:03:05on and off for six months, and I was in there for a month and a half.

0:03:05 > 0:03:09So we decided there and then that we would be leaving South Africa

0:03:09 > 0:03:13mostly because we wanted to give Alison

0:03:13 > 0:03:17the opportunity to have a safer and more reliable existence

0:03:17 > 0:03:19than we could offer living in South Africa.

0:03:21 > 0:03:23The experience definitely changed our outlook on life.

0:03:23 > 0:03:25I mean, there's no two ways about it.

0:03:25 > 0:03:28To me it's not a case of careers and this,

0:03:28 > 0:03:31I think it's a case of living it to the max.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35Although they love living in the UK it was a far cry from the life

0:03:35 > 0:03:38they had left behind in South Africa.

0:03:38 > 0:03:42In South Africa 10 years ago we used to live on a farm

0:03:42 > 0:03:45so wide open spaces, 25 acres.

0:03:45 > 0:03:47It was huge, you know.

0:03:47 > 0:03:51I think the closest house was 300 metres away.

0:03:51 > 0:03:55For Craig in particular it had been the ideal lifestyle.

0:03:55 > 0:03:58He was outside all the time repairing the roof

0:03:58 > 0:04:00and it was like a total cut-off for him.

0:04:00 > 0:04:03We came to the UK and he didn't do any of those things anymore.

0:04:03 > 0:04:07So I think that he is really after something he's lost.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11Chantelle had agreed to give Australia a try to see

0:04:11 > 0:04:13if Craig could find what was missing in his life.

0:04:13 > 0:04:17Craig agreed to come to the UK on condition that

0:04:17 > 0:04:21if he wasn't happy we would consider going somewhere else.

0:04:21 > 0:04:24And Australia was always the place that he was talking about.

0:04:24 > 0:04:28Craig hoped Australia would provide a better life for his family.

0:04:28 > 0:04:30However, having built new friendships

0:04:30 > 0:04:33and a successful career in the UK,

0:04:33 > 0:04:36Chantelle was torn by the idea of giving it all up.

0:04:36 > 0:04:39Family isn't only about those people you're related to,

0:04:39 > 0:04:42it's your really, really close friends,

0:04:42 > 0:04:45those people that I feel like I've grown up with them

0:04:45 > 0:04:47even though I haven't.

0:04:47 > 0:04:50Chantelle's mum had followed the family to the UK.

0:04:50 > 0:04:51Emigrating to Oz

0:04:51 > 0:04:54would mean saying goodbye to her all over again.

0:04:54 > 0:04:57The thing is, I probably won't get to see my mum very much

0:04:57 > 0:05:01because she likes to go to South Africa

0:05:01 > 0:05:03where my gran is and my grandad

0:05:03 > 0:05:05when she has time away.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10So I don't really know whether she will be able to come visit us.

0:05:10 > 0:05:12Or not.

0:05:12 > 0:05:15She has made her life in the UK, really.

0:05:15 > 0:05:20Craig hasn't really necessarily, I think,

0:05:20 > 0:05:25invested...as much in the UK.

0:05:27 > 0:05:29But, you know, I hope...

0:05:29 > 0:05:34I'm thinking, "Am I going to have to do that all over again in Australia?"

0:05:34 > 0:05:36It just takes such a lot of work.

0:05:38 > 0:05:41And I'm just not sure I can do it again.

0:05:53 > 0:05:56The France-Brothertons spent their trial week in Perth,

0:05:56 > 0:06:01a bustling city benefiting from the economic boom in Western Australia.

0:06:01 > 0:06:02Spread out along the coast,

0:06:02 > 0:06:06national parks and open countryside lie on the city's doorstep.

0:06:06 > 0:06:10Which could have been perfect for Craig's love of the great outdoors.

0:06:10 > 0:06:12The final leg of their journey brought the family

0:06:12 > 0:06:15to their home for the week in the area of Bickley.

0:06:15 > 0:06:17Set on the outskirts of Perth,

0:06:17 > 0:06:19it gave them a good idea of country living.

0:06:22 > 0:06:26Straight away one person was suitably impressed.

0:06:26 > 0:06:29Wow! Cool!

0:06:29 > 0:06:32- What's cool, boy?- This garden!

0:06:34 > 0:06:38However, everyone was a lot less excited by the actual house.

0:06:45 > 0:06:49And for Chantelle, it raised serious concerns about what

0:06:49 > 0:06:52moving to the Australian countryside might mean.

0:06:53 > 0:06:56I am concerned that when you move to this kind of area

0:06:56 > 0:06:58normally you have to buy an older house

0:06:58 > 0:07:00and they don't have as much storage and that kind of stuff

0:07:00 > 0:07:03as we need, which means that we would be back to me living

0:07:03 > 0:07:06in our DIY project with you and I'm not doing that.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10- I love you, but I'm not doing that. - I'm not too worried.

0:07:10 > 0:07:12I like the place. I think it's nice.

0:07:12 > 0:07:16I'm more worried about what's around outside, you know.

0:07:16 > 0:07:19Land and loads of space. It's great, it's fantastic.

0:07:19 > 0:07:21I love the trees and actually I think

0:07:21 > 0:07:23it's even better than I imagined.

0:07:23 > 0:07:25Really, really stunning, yeah.

0:07:25 > 0:07:26HE LAUGHS

0:07:29 > 0:07:30I think I'm going to cry.

0:07:30 > 0:07:32SHE LAUGHS

0:07:35 > 0:07:37Oh!

0:07:43 > 0:07:47In the UK the France-Brothertons owned a three-bedroom house

0:07:47 > 0:07:49which they had made into a home they loved.

0:07:50 > 0:07:53I'm happy here, we've been renovating this house

0:07:53 > 0:07:57since we moved in, which is eight years ago.

0:07:58 > 0:08:03And we're kind of coming to the culmination of that now.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06So if we decided to move to Australia in the near future

0:08:06 > 0:08:10that means that all of this work has been for somebody else.

0:08:12 > 0:08:13Hurrah!

0:08:13 > 0:08:16Having lived a very different life in South Africa,

0:08:16 > 0:08:19they had strong ideas of what they wanted from an Aussie property.

0:08:19 > 0:08:23We are looking for something where we've got some space around us.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25Not really interested in living in suburbia

0:08:25 > 0:08:29because I'd like a big enough garden for the kids to be able

0:08:29 > 0:08:32to play ball games and to have a pool.

0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Five acres.- Five acres. Yes, love.

0:08:36 > 0:08:39We arranged for the family to sample Perth's housing market.

0:08:39 > 0:08:43We showed them three options based on their ideal home,

0:08:43 > 0:08:44what they could afford

0:08:44 > 0:08:47and the reality of property prices Down Under.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49After seeing for themselves what was on offer

0:08:49 > 0:08:52they'd find out how much each house cost.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55The family's first stop was in Ellenbrook

0:08:55 > 0:08:57on the outskirts of Perth.

0:08:57 > 0:09:00But while it was a rural area close to national parks,

0:09:00 > 0:09:02the houses were grouped into estates.

0:09:02 > 0:09:04Not exactly what I expected.

0:09:04 > 0:09:08- But...- But we can then choose where we build?- I believe so, yeah.

0:09:08 > 0:09:09Right, OK.

0:09:09 > 0:09:13The France-Brothertons went to view a four-bedroom show home.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16It was a classic Aussie house, sleek and modern

0:09:16 > 0:09:19so just the type of place Chantelle wanted.

0:09:22 > 0:09:24Very spacious.

0:09:25 > 0:09:28Oh, wow. Craigy, look at this. I love this.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32- It's a nice size, yeah.- I do. I just love it.

0:09:34 > 0:09:38I like that it is complete, that you can just move in.

0:09:38 > 0:09:40You don't have to do anything to it.

0:09:40 > 0:09:44I love the open way that Australian houses are designed

0:09:44 > 0:09:46in terms of the kitchen and the living area

0:09:46 > 0:09:49because it just suits the way that we want to live anyway, doesn't it?

0:09:49 > 0:09:53Chantelle had definitely fallen head over heels for this house

0:09:53 > 0:09:56but did the bedrooms keep the romance going?

0:09:56 > 0:09:57Oh, Craigy!

0:09:58 > 0:10:01- That's nice.- Look, look, look.

0:10:01 > 0:10:04- I love it!- This is huge!

0:10:04 > 0:10:06HE LAUGHS

0:10:06 > 0:10:09Storage!

0:10:09 > 0:10:11Where are you going to put your clothes?

0:10:11 > 0:10:14I'm sure it's big enough.

0:10:14 > 0:10:15- Oh, it's gorgeous.- It is stunning.

0:10:15 > 0:10:18It certainly satisfied Chantelle's needs

0:10:18 > 0:10:20but did the garden do the same for Craig?

0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Lovely, isn't it?- It is nice.

0:10:22 > 0:10:27The only thing is there isn't very much space.

0:10:27 > 0:10:31I don't know if the plot of land that you choose is bigger than this.

0:10:31 > 0:10:34The house was certainly in their ideal home category

0:10:34 > 0:10:36but the garden just wasn't big enough.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40The question was, could Craig and Chantelle even afford it

0:10:40 > 0:10:43on their £250,000 budget?

0:10:43 > 0:10:45Let alone one on a bigger plot.

0:10:45 > 0:10:48With the land it'll probably be over, I'd say.

0:10:48 > 0:10:50I think so.

0:10:52 > 0:10:53Come on.

0:10:57 > 0:10:59SHE GASPS

0:10:59 > 0:11:04Yeah, so this is 400,000 and that is without the land.

0:11:04 > 0:11:06That was right at the top of their budget

0:11:06 > 0:11:09leaving no money to buy more land.

0:11:09 > 0:11:11So this is what we can't have.

0:11:15 > 0:11:17Oh, let's go and find out what we can have.

0:11:19 > 0:11:21They could only just afford the house,

0:11:21 > 0:11:24so would something similar but with lots of land be out of reach?

0:11:26 > 0:11:29Stop two was further from the city in the Wundowie area.

0:11:29 > 0:11:32Because it was more than 40 miles from Perth,

0:11:32 > 0:11:34it would have meant long commutes for work.

0:11:35 > 0:11:39This three-bedroom house came with nearly four acres of land

0:11:39 > 0:11:42but it wasn't the pristine show home they had just seen.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49Don't mistake the silence for speechless delight.

0:11:51 > 0:11:53Oh, dear.

0:11:53 > 0:11:56There is definitely work to be done, isn't there?

0:11:56 > 0:11:59This house offered the space Chantelle and Craig wanted

0:11:59 > 0:12:02but they could both see it needed some serious TLC.

0:12:02 > 0:12:04There's loads of work to be done.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Built-in wardrobes of a fashion.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12Every room in this house would probably need to be

0:12:12 > 0:12:14stripped down and redone.

0:12:16 > 0:12:20And this time Chantelle wasn't quite so taken with open-plan living.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24I can't see myself living here, Craig.

0:12:24 > 0:12:26The house came with four acres of land

0:12:26 > 0:12:30but it didn't look as if that would make up for its shortcomings.

0:12:30 > 0:12:33- It's definitely big enough, I think.- Yeah.

0:12:33 > 0:12:37It's just a pity about the house. I mean, everything else is...

0:12:37 > 0:12:38HE LAUGHS

0:12:38 > 0:12:41Everything else we can sort out, but the house...

0:12:41 > 0:12:43We would have to start from scratch.

0:12:44 > 0:12:46Craig and the children might have loved the outdoor space

0:12:46 > 0:12:51but they realised this house wasn't going to win Mum over.

0:12:51 > 0:12:55She likes everything to be clean and easy to clean

0:12:55 > 0:12:58and it doesn't look like it's going to be easy to clean.

0:12:58 > 0:13:02She likes lots of storage, as you've probably gathered.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06- But we like the space, don't we? - Yeah, we like that space, don't we?

0:13:06 > 0:13:10But did the price turn this house into a contender?

0:13:10 > 0:13:13The right figure would have meant money left over to renovate.

0:13:14 > 0:13:15Shall we find out?

0:13:17 > 0:13:19You can turn it over if you like, Roxanne.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22Ah! How many is that?

0:13:22 > 0:13:262-7-0-0-0-0.

0:13:26 > 0:13:30That was £20,000 over budget.

0:13:30 > 0:13:37This house costs more than the house that we just saw last in suburbia.

0:13:37 > 0:13:41It was a huge setback to Craig's dream.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43The house had the land he wanted

0:13:43 > 0:13:45but Chantelle had been far from impressed.

0:13:45 > 0:13:48If he was ever going to convince her,

0:13:48 > 0:13:51everything would ride on the final property of the day.

0:13:51 > 0:13:54The Mundaring area 20 miles east of Perth

0:13:54 > 0:13:57was halfway between urban and rural,

0:13:57 > 0:14:00possibly offering the France-Brothertons an affordable

0:14:00 > 0:14:04house with a large garden close to facilities and the countryside.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07This three-bedroom property had the modern look that the family

0:14:07 > 0:14:10all liked but would it live up to the first house

0:14:10 > 0:14:12that everyone had fallen in love with?

0:14:12 > 0:14:13OK.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17- This is nice.- Yeah.

0:14:18 > 0:14:20Nice enough size.

0:14:22 > 0:14:24I mean, this is nice.

0:14:26 > 0:14:27It's nice enough.

0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Oh, this is really nice, Craigy. - Yeah, nice stove.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36It might have been a nice house but it was safe to say

0:14:36 > 0:14:39this wasn't love at first sight.

0:14:39 > 0:14:42Did the garden elicit a different response?

0:14:42 > 0:14:45- This is very nice.- Maybe not.

0:14:45 > 0:14:49It was a good-sized garden, but it wasn't what Craig had hoped for.

0:14:49 > 0:14:51It's a little compromise.

0:14:51 > 0:14:54It actually all depends on the price, really.

0:14:54 > 0:14:56Yeah, it does.

0:14:56 > 0:15:01So, did the house fall within their £250,000 budget

0:15:01 > 0:15:03and lift everyone's spirits?

0:15:03 > 0:15:06Right, Roxy, let your brother do it this time.

0:15:08 > 0:15:09Turn it over.

0:15:12 > 0:15:16That was £50,000 over budget and a massive blow to Craig's dream.

0:15:17 > 0:15:20I can't see that that's the price.

0:15:20 > 0:15:23- If it was 100,000... - Well, that's what it costs.

0:15:23 > 0:15:28100,000 cheaper, yeah, maybe. Not at 460,000.

0:15:28 > 0:15:32House-hunting around Perth had been a real eye-opener for the family.

0:15:32 > 0:15:35Everybody had fallen for the first modern show home,

0:15:35 > 0:15:38especially if they could afford more land to put it on.

0:15:40 > 0:15:42The second property had the land Craig wanted

0:15:42 > 0:15:46but the house was a no-no and over budget.

0:15:46 > 0:15:48And the final house, although perfectly nice,

0:15:48 > 0:15:52showed that affording the property and the land they wanted

0:15:52 > 0:15:54could be beyond their means.

0:15:54 > 0:15:56So had these homes convinced anyone

0:15:56 > 0:15:59that leaving the UK would be worth the upheaval?

0:15:59 > 0:16:01I think we're going to vote for...

0:16:04 > 0:16:06..undecided!

0:16:06 > 0:16:09Australia! You two said Australia!

0:16:09 > 0:16:10Do you like Australian houses?

0:16:10 > 0:16:15- Well we're going to have to use your piggy bank money then.- Yeah!

0:16:15 > 0:16:18It doesn't look like we can afford what we really want in terms

0:16:18 > 0:16:23of land and the home that we have on it in Australia or in the UK.

0:16:23 > 0:16:25That is why I have voted undecided.

0:16:25 > 0:16:28I voted undecided because if I want the land,

0:16:28 > 0:16:32there's going to be a lot more research to be done.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43In the UK, Craig worked as a telecom technician

0:16:43 > 0:16:47and Chantelle was a human resources manager in the NHS.

0:16:47 > 0:16:50While the children were looked after by a childminder, we arranged for

0:16:50 > 0:16:54both of them to find out just what working in Australia could mean.

0:16:54 > 0:16:56My job is really important to me

0:16:56 > 0:16:59and I've worked really hard over the last 10 years.

0:16:59 > 0:17:01I'm worried that if I come to Australia

0:17:01 > 0:17:02I'll have to start all over again.

0:17:02 > 0:17:04I don't want to have to do that.

0:17:04 > 0:17:07To try and address her concerns,

0:17:07 > 0:17:11Chantelle met with recruitment consultant Kiera Benton

0:17:11 > 0:17:13who had moved to Perth from the UK.

0:17:13 > 0:17:16As the main visa applicant, Craig met with

0:17:16 > 0:17:19communications company director Doug Butcher.

0:17:21 > 0:17:24And he got straight down to business.

0:17:24 > 0:17:27I just wanted to ask you about the working hours

0:17:27 > 0:17:29which I'm quite interested in.

0:17:29 > 0:17:32Well, like any technical position,

0:17:32 > 0:17:35you should be aware there will be some unsociable hours

0:17:35 > 0:17:39but it's really not that bad.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42Across town Chantelle was talking figures.

0:17:42 > 0:17:44So what kind of salary do you think we're looking at?

0:17:44 > 0:17:46For learning and development role

0:17:46 > 0:17:48you'd probably look at a starting salary

0:17:48 > 0:17:49of about 100,000-120,000 per annum.

0:17:49 > 0:17:53Would that be sort of within what you were expecting?

0:17:53 > 0:17:54Yeah, that sounds really good.

0:17:54 > 0:17:56I think, long term, if you were to look

0:17:56 > 0:17:59at senior strategic learning and development roles,

0:17:59 > 0:18:02then you could head towards the 150-200,000 salary marks.

0:18:02 > 0:18:05Excellent, that's brilliant news for me, isn't it?

0:18:05 > 0:18:10Even the starting salary of £60,000 was £20,000 more than

0:18:10 > 0:18:12Chantelle was earning in the UK.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14But what about Craig?

0:18:14 > 0:18:17Well, your CV looks pretty good. Obviously you're quite experienced.

0:18:17 > 0:18:19In terms of what sort of pay you can expect,

0:18:19 > 0:18:24in Perth, typically, an apprentice or a new, qualified tech

0:18:24 > 0:18:28will take home somewhere around about the 45,000-50,000 mark.

0:18:28 > 0:18:32A more experienced tech like yourself would probably be

0:18:32 > 0:18:36looking at somewhere between 55,000 to maybe 70,000.

0:18:36 > 0:18:38The figures sounded good

0:18:38 > 0:18:41but was there any work for a man of Craig's experience?

0:18:41 > 0:18:43Well, yes, this all looks good, Craig.

0:18:43 > 0:18:47I think you've got excellent chances of employment here.

0:18:47 > 0:18:51And yeah, I think, when you get back you should probably give us a call.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Thank you very much.- Thank you.

0:18:54 > 0:18:57That was just what Craig needed to hear.

0:18:57 > 0:18:59With the chance of work on the horizon

0:18:59 > 0:19:01his dream was feeling closer.

0:19:02 > 0:19:05The couple had positive news to share when they met up.

0:19:07 > 0:19:12- How did it go?- Really well.- Yeah? - And yours?- Very good, actually.

0:19:12 > 0:19:14Really impressed.

0:19:14 > 0:19:18So had they been swayed by the possibility of working in Australia?

0:19:18 > 0:19:19It was time to vote.

0:19:21 > 0:19:23Australia!

0:19:23 > 0:19:26Oh, hasn't it been a better day than yesterday?

0:19:26 > 0:19:28A much better day than yesterday.

0:19:28 > 0:19:31And actually, yesterday might have been improved

0:19:31 > 0:19:33if we'd had today first.

0:19:33 > 0:19:35Yeah, I think so. Maybe we have to go and do yesterday again.

0:19:35 > 0:19:37Yeah, can we do yesterday again?

0:19:43 > 0:19:46The France-Brothertons took a trip to the Perth Hills to get

0:19:46 > 0:19:50a true taste of what the Aussie outdoor lifestyle could offer.

0:19:55 > 0:19:59For the family it was a rare chance to spend time together

0:19:59 > 0:20:04in beautiful surroundings, but things soon turned ugly.

0:20:05 > 0:20:08THEY SHOUT AND SCREAM

0:20:17 > 0:20:19THEY LAUGH

0:20:25 > 0:20:31You've got to admit it was fun, though. No it wasn't! I'm freezing!

0:20:31 > 0:20:35Time outdoors was exactly why Craig wanted to emigrate.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39Luckily, the family were all on board.

0:20:39 > 0:20:41He's like a big kid, isn't he?

0:20:42 > 0:20:45He loves doing stuff like this.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47He loves going hiking and canoeing

0:20:47 > 0:20:51and he just thinks it's really cool that we can all do it as a family.

0:20:56 > 0:20:58The day had reminded Craig just why he was

0:20:58 > 0:21:00so desperate to move Down Under.

0:21:03 > 0:21:06It just feels so great to be able to get out.

0:21:06 > 0:21:08It's a real stress relief, I feel.

0:21:08 > 0:21:12It gets me down in the UK to stay inside all the time.

0:21:12 > 0:21:14It makes me feel claustrophobic.

0:21:14 > 0:21:19There's nothing wrong with the UK, but for me, all my life as a child

0:21:19 > 0:21:24I'd been able to get outside and have the outdoor life all the time.

0:21:24 > 0:21:28For Chantelle, however, enjoying time with her family was also

0:21:28 > 0:21:32a painful reminder of what she stood to lose all over again.

0:21:33 > 0:21:36Well, I know that I was very lonely when I first went to England,

0:21:36 > 0:21:40when I left all my friends and family in South Africa

0:21:40 > 0:21:43and, yes, you keep in contact and, yes, you talk, but it's not the same,

0:21:43 > 0:21:45it's not the same having people

0:21:45 > 0:21:47thousands and thousands of miles away.

0:21:47 > 0:21:49They still care about you

0:21:49 > 0:21:51but they are thousands and thousands of miles away.

0:21:51 > 0:21:55And I know that I will be lonely when I first come here.

0:21:55 > 0:21:57If we choose to come.

0:21:57 > 0:21:59So, when it came to a decision,

0:21:59 > 0:22:02did the family choose a lifestyle in Australia or the UK?

0:22:02 > 0:22:06We spent a lovely day in the Perth Hills in the great outdoors

0:22:06 > 0:22:08and now we're going to vote.

0:22:09 > 0:22:11And...vote.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14- Australia.- Australia.

0:22:14 > 0:22:17Oh, everyone's going to Australia!

0:22:17 > 0:22:20I don't see how I could have voted otherwise.

0:22:20 > 0:22:21It's great.

0:22:26 > 0:22:28Craig and Chantelle had bought their house in the UK

0:22:28 > 0:22:33for just over £100,000, but they hoped Craig's DIY efforts

0:22:33 > 0:22:36would help secure a higher sale price.

0:22:36 > 0:22:38We sent round two local estate agents

0:22:38 > 0:22:41to give the family up-to-date valuations.

0:22:42 > 0:22:44Oh, he cleaned his feet. Good boy.

0:22:48 > 0:22:52Lovely blinds. Very stylish fire.

0:22:52 > 0:22:54Good-sized room. Open plan, leading off the lounge.

0:22:59 > 0:23:00Open plan.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04Patio doors. Plenty of lighting. Lovely.

0:23:04 > 0:23:09Downstairs bathroom looks like it could be nice when it's finished.

0:23:09 > 0:23:10He's just going to finish it!

0:23:12 > 0:23:15Dad, you're never going to finish that!

0:23:15 > 0:23:19He will finish it. It's almost finished now.

0:23:21 > 0:23:23Oh, he's wearing his shoes up my stairs!

0:23:23 > 0:23:26They'll be in big trouble, won't they?

0:23:26 > 0:23:28I will. I'm going to hunt them down, Tito.

0:23:28 > 0:23:33Nice, pleasantly decorated, cosy room.

0:23:33 > 0:23:37Bedroom three. Good-sized third bedroom.

0:23:37 > 0:23:38That's fairly clean.

0:23:38 > 0:23:41OK, very nice contemporary bathroom.

0:23:41 > 0:23:44Very stylish and I think people would love this.

0:23:44 > 0:23:46- Oh, well done. Well done. - Told you.

0:23:46 > 0:23:51Here we have a very good-sized, 3/4, flexible, semi-detached property.

0:23:51 > 0:23:53If you were going to put the property on the market now,

0:23:53 > 0:23:56I'd recommend an asking price of £105,000.

0:23:57 > 0:23:59If you wanted to sell it quickly,

0:23:59 > 0:24:04I would keep the price under £100,000 and set it at £99,950.

0:24:04 > 0:24:08This is a nicely decorated, partially modernised,

0:24:08 > 0:24:10three-bedroom semi-detached house

0:24:10 > 0:24:15and I would value it at approximately £115,000.

0:24:15 > 0:24:18For a quick sale, I would value the property at £105,000.

0:24:21 > 0:24:23I think what they've failed to notice there -

0:24:23 > 0:24:26I mean, now that most of the work is finished anyway -

0:24:26 > 0:24:29is that it's a four-bedroom house and not a three-bedroom house.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Um, you're going to have difficulty finding

0:24:32 > 0:24:35a four-bedroom house for £120,000.

0:24:35 > 0:24:37Under £120,000, let's put it that way.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40Craig disagreed about how much his DIY skills

0:24:40 > 0:24:42had added to the value of their home,

0:24:42 > 0:24:45but could he argue with the price of living Down Under?

0:24:46 > 0:24:48While the children enjoyed the sunshine,

0:24:48 > 0:24:52Mum and Dad compared expenses in the UK with those in Australia.

0:24:52 > 0:24:56Would this mean another blow for Craig's dream?

0:24:59 > 0:25:03Wow! Look at the difference there. Hallelujah!

0:25:03 > 0:25:05I'm going to have to kick my coffee habit!

0:25:05 > 0:25:08Look how much more expensive potatoes are, Craigy.

0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Ow! Ow, ow, ow. - That is quite expensive.

0:25:12 > 0:25:17Everyday expenses worked out £220 higher each month

0:25:17 > 0:25:20and that was before they'd taken a bigger mortgage into account.

0:25:20 > 0:25:24So, are you ready for the next lot? Brace yourself, boy.

0:25:24 > 0:25:27- I'm a bit worried now! - Brace yourself.

0:25:27 > 0:25:29They decided to base their calculations

0:25:29 > 0:25:32on the third most expensive house they'd seen.

0:25:32 > 0:25:36- Oh, my God!- That's triple what we're paying at home, isn't it?

0:25:36 > 0:25:39Yeah, that's three times our current mortgage payment.

0:25:39 > 0:25:44That was an extra £1,100 a month just on mortgage payments.

0:25:44 > 0:25:46Was there any chance their Australian salaries

0:25:46 > 0:25:49would make up for the huge outgoings?

0:25:49 > 0:25:53So, it looks like our after-tax monthly income in the UK

0:25:53 > 0:25:56was £2,900-odd.

0:25:56 > 0:25:57Yes.

0:25:57 > 0:25:59And in Australia,

0:25:59 > 0:26:04it looks like our monthly income would be about 5,938 after tax.

0:26:05 > 0:26:07That was great news.

0:26:07 > 0:26:09With their income more than doubled in Australia,

0:26:09 > 0:26:12a move could be back on.

0:26:12 > 0:26:14I'm a little bit happier now.

0:26:15 > 0:26:18- You are very much happy, I can see! - Very much.

0:26:18 > 0:26:20With such good figures,

0:26:20 > 0:26:23their next vote seemed like a foregone conclusion.

0:26:29 > 0:26:31BOTH: Australia.

0:26:31 > 0:26:33- It's a no-brainer, really, isn't it?- Yeah!

0:26:36 > 0:26:40The finances were another step towards achieving Craig's dream,

0:26:40 > 0:26:43but Chantelle still had to face messages from loved ones.

0:26:43 > 0:26:46The whole family decided to watch them together.

0:26:46 > 0:26:49Hi, Craig. Hi, Chantelle. Hi, children.

0:26:49 > 0:26:50I hope you're having a fantastic time.

0:26:50 > 0:26:55Hi, guys. The France-Brothertons - are they unique!

0:26:55 > 0:26:57They're very unique. Wonderful people.

0:26:57 > 0:27:02Chantelle is my absolute best friend in the whole wide world.

0:27:03 > 0:27:05She's the sister I never had.

0:27:05 > 0:27:10Alison is one of the coolest kids I know.

0:27:11 > 0:27:12Roxy is a little miss.

0:27:13 > 0:27:16And Tristan is away with the fairies.

0:27:16 > 0:27:18And obviously, I really like him very well

0:27:18 > 0:27:20because we are very similar.

0:27:20 > 0:27:24I'm missing you a hell of a lot and...

0:27:25 > 0:27:29..I'm very happy for you

0:27:29 > 0:27:32and I hope that you know that wherever I am,

0:27:32 > 0:27:35there will always be a home for you.

0:27:35 > 0:27:36I don't want to think about it, even.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39I can't think about it without crying.

0:27:39 > 0:27:40The kids.

0:27:40 > 0:27:43It's the kids I'm going to miss terribly.

0:27:43 > 0:27:46I'll miss them as well, of course - the whole family - but...

0:27:48 > 0:27:51..it's quite wrenching, actually.

0:27:53 > 0:27:55Chantelle, I'll miss you.

0:27:55 > 0:27:58I can't imagine how much I would miss you,

0:27:58 > 0:27:59but I know now already

0:27:59 > 0:28:02that you are going to leave a big, big hole in my life.

0:28:02 > 0:28:05I know that you and Craig are doing the right thing

0:28:05 > 0:28:08and you're going to be really happy and you'll make it work,

0:28:08 > 0:28:10but just never forget how much we love you.

0:28:19 > 0:28:23I know you guys are looking to fulfil a dream.

0:28:24 > 0:28:28It's one that is going to break my heart when you go...

0:28:29 > 0:28:32..but I understand why you need to go.

0:28:33 > 0:28:37I'm going to miss you with every fibre of my being.

0:28:37 > 0:28:40Love you lots, guys. All of you.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53For me, it's the worst bit. It's worse than anything.

0:28:55 > 0:28:57And I love all these people.

0:28:59 > 0:29:00Very, very much.

0:29:03 > 0:29:06I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do without them.

0:29:06 > 0:29:10Mum, I hate leaving people behind.

0:29:10 > 0:29:13I hate leaving people behind too, baby. I do too.

0:29:13 > 0:29:16Hearing messages from friends and family brought home

0:29:16 > 0:29:18just how painful emigrating could be.

0:29:18 > 0:29:22Their first move from South Africa was under terrible circumstances,

0:29:22 > 0:29:24but this move seemed harder to face.

0:29:24 > 0:29:29The decision this time is nothing like the decision was last time

0:29:29 > 0:29:33because it's almost as if we didn't have much choice last time

0:29:33 > 0:29:37and the decision was made for us

0:29:37 > 0:29:41and all we really were doing was prepping towards the move.

0:29:41 > 0:29:45This time, I feel like I have a choice.

0:29:45 > 0:29:48It's much harder cos it's me doing it this time

0:29:48 > 0:29:50instead of it happening to me.

0:29:50 > 0:29:54So, when it came to the final vote, had the family seen enough

0:29:54 > 0:29:57to convince them uprooting again was worthwhile?

0:29:57 > 0:29:59Based on everything we found out this week,

0:29:59 > 0:30:02we're going to give it one final vote

0:30:02 > 0:30:06as to where we think holds the best future for us.

0:30:06 > 0:30:07And we are going to vote for...

0:30:12 > 0:30:14ALL: Australia!

0:30:14 > 0:30:15Australia.

0:30:17 > 0:30:19I'm very happy that everybody voted Australia.

0:30:20 > 0:30:22This is fantastic.

0:30:22 > 0:30:24It's a whole new life now.

0:30:24 > 0:30:27We've got to start from the beginning again

0:30:27 > 0:30:29and build a new life there in Australia.

0:30:29 > 0:30:32OK, do you want me to change my vote now?

0:30:35 > 0:30:37It had taken just one week,

0:30:37 > 0:30:40but Craig's family were convinced Australia could give them back

0:30:40 > 0:30:43the lifestyle they'd been forced to abandon.

0:30:47 > 0:30:51Their week in Oz had sold the family on a life Down Under.

0:30:51 > 0:30:53Just a few weeks after they returned,

0:30:53 > 0:30:56I heard they had exciting news so went to catch up with them.

0:30:56 > 0:31:00Well, it's all systems go.

0:31:00 > 0:31:03We stayed on for an extra couple of weeks in Australia.

0:31:03 > 0:31:05Craig applied for a job.

0:31:05 > 0:31:07He got offered it the day after we got back.

0:31:07 > 0:31:10Oh, my goodness! Things have really moved on.

0:31:10 > 0:31:15- So, when does he go to Australia? - He's leaving the day after tomorrow.

0:31:15 > 0:31:17He's going without us.

0:31:17 > 0:31:20The kids and I are staying probably until the end of July,

0:31:20 > 0:31:23after the school year's finished and until the house is sold.

0:31:23 > 0:31:25But yeah, it's all systems go.

0:31:25 > 0:31:28Now, you mentioned there's always work to be done on this house.

0:31:28 > 0:31:30Obviously, that is Craig's domain.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33He's done a huge amount of work over the last three weeks.

0:31:33 > 0:31:36- He has worked his little socks off, let me tell you.- Has he?- He has.

0:31:36 > 0:31:39He had to finish the bathroom - the downstairs bathroom -

0:31:39 > 0:31:42which has been an ongoing, long-term project.

0:31:42 > 0:31:44He's done an absolutely super job.

0:31:44 > 0:31:46He's in the back there at the moment,

0:31:46 > 0:31:49sorting out all his tools that he's got to take with him.

0:31:49 > 0:31:52Look at him hard at work.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54So, it's all rather exciting, isn't it?

0:31:54 > 0:31:56- You got what you wanted.- Yeah.

0:31:56 > 0:31:59But you're going to be working hard in Australia,

0:31:59 > 0:32:01getting everything ready for when they come out?

0:32:02 > 0:32:04- Yes, baby.- Yes.

0:32:04 > 0:32:06- The answer's yes. - The answer's yes, believe you me.

0:32:06 > 0:32:09We're absolutely delighted that you're going to make the move.

0:32:09 > 0:32:12I don't think we quite expected it to be this soon.

0:32:12 > 0:32:15So, Craig, all the best with the new job next week when you start.

0:32:15 > 0:32:16Exciting times.

0:32:16 > 0:32:20And Chantelle, you've got an awful lot of work to do here in the UK,

0:32:20 > 0:32:22haven't you, before you get on that plane?

0:32:22 > 0:32:25And one last thing - Craig, please don't move again!

0:32:29 > 0:32:33The France-Brothertons certainly know how to move fast,

0:32:33 > 0:32:37but emigrating for a second time was never going to be easy.

0:32:37 > 0:32:42In the face of upheaval, separation and a great deal of heartache,

0:32:42 > 0:32:44have they finally made the move?

0:32:46 > 0:32:50It's 2013 and the France-Brothertons are living in...

0:32:50 > 0:32:52Australia.

0:32:52 > 0:32:54The family are together now,

0:32:54 > 0:32:56but it was a difficult start to their new life.

0:32:56 > 0:32:59Craig moved on his own to take up his new job,

0:32:59 > 0:33:02while Chantelle stayed behind to settle their affairs.

0:33:02 > 0:33:05When I said goodbye to Craig, I didn't know how long it would be for.

0:33:05 > 0:33:06That was hard. It was really hard.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08Saying goodbye when you don't know

0:33:08 > 0:33:10when you're going to see each other again,

0:33:10 > 0:33:13it's not something I'd like to do again in a hurry.

0:33:13 > 0:33:16I wasn't really sure when they would actually join me.

0:33:16 > 0:33:19We weren't sure whether it was going to be a month

0:33:19 > 0:33:21or whether it would be six months.

0:33:21 > 0:33:23I wouldn't do it again. I wouldn't do it again.

0:33:23 > 0:33:25If we ever decided to move anywhere else,

0:33:25 > 0:33:27it would be as a family unit straightaway.

0:33:27 > 0:33:29When Craig first arrived in Australia,

0:33:29 > 0:33:32the impact of the move really hit home.

0:33:32 > 0:33:35Quite overwhelmed by everything, you know,

0:33:35 > 0:33:39actually getting off the plane and it was real.

0:33:39 > 0:33:42While he got used to life in Oz, back in the UK,

0:33:42 > 0:33:44Chantelle was facing the difficulties

0:33:44 > 0:33:47of packing up their life without the support of her husband.

0:33:47 > 0:33:50Selling the house, getting it all ready to be sold,

0:33:50 > 0:33:53making decisions about selling the vehicles

0:33:53 > 0:33:56and which accounts to close and which to keep open -

0:33:56 > 0:34:01all that kind of stuff is really, really difficult on your own.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05And also going through my own kind of emotions about the move...

0:34:07 > 0:34:09..made it even more difficult, I guess.

0:34:10 > 0:34:14Besides the practical logistics, Chantelle was also struggling

0:34:14 > 0:34:17to leave family and friends behind, especially her mum.

0:34:17 > 0:34:22We had spoken about it over the years before that,

0:34:22 > 0:34:25but when I told her that we were actually going, she was,

0:34:25 > 0:34:27I mean, understandably upset about it.

0:34:27 > 0:34:29It was really hard to leave her.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31It was three months before the family

0:34:31 > 0:34:33were finally reunited in Australia.

0:34:33 > 0:34:36But Chantelle saw an immediate difference.

0:34:36 > 0:34:39I can see a change in Craig and it's fantastic.

0:34:39 > 0:34:42It's wonderful to see him so much happier and relaxed and...

0:34:43 > 0:34:47I don't know. It was absolutely the right thing for him.

0:34:47 > 0:34:51The fact that I feel happier has got a lot to do with, you know,

0:34:51 > 0:34:54not having the work stresses that we had in the UK

0:34:54 > 0:34:57working such long hours.

0:34:57 > 0:34:59I'm able to see the kids go to school.

0:35:02 > 0:35:04In the UK, there's a lot of times

0:35:04 > 0:35:07where you'd get up before they get up

0:35:07 > 0:35:09and you wouldn't see them

0:35:09 > 0:35:12and you'd get home after they'd gone to bed already.

0:35:12 > 0:35:16So, you know, there's definitely a lot more family interaction.

0:35:16 > 0:35:17I know it sounds really corny,

0:35:17 > 0:35:20but it just feels like he's got his zest for life back.

0:35:20 > 0:35:22Like, he's interested in doing things

0:35:22 > 0:35:25and he's going out and making things happen,

0:35:25 > 0:35:28which is how he always was,

0:35:28 > 0:35:32but kind of has got lost over the last five years or so, I think.

0:35:32 > 0:35:34But while Craig has fitted in straightaway,

0:35:34 > 0:35:36Chantelle's found settling more difficult.

0:35:36 > 0:35:39I actually think the reason I'm struggling at the moment

0:35:39 > 0:35:42is because I haven't got a job that I love.

0:35:42 > 0:35:45I need a fulfilling job.

0:35:45 > 0:35:48I think that's probably the greatest reason

0:35:48 > 0:35:51because work is really important to me.

0:35:52 > 0:35:56I don't think I'm going to be really happy until I've got that sorted out.

0:35:56 > 0:35:58Chantelle was forced to take a temporary job,

0:35:58 > 0:36:02but the long hours didn't fit her hopes for family life.

0:36:02 > 0:36:04I'm not afraid to work hard,

0:36:04 > 0:36:06but I would like to have time to spend with my family as well

0:36:06 > 0:36:10so hopefully the next position that I get

0:36:10 > 0:36:13is one which allows me to have a better work/life balance.

0:36:13 > 0:36:14Currently out of work,

0:36:14 > 0:36:17she's making the most of her time with the children

0:36:17 > 0:36:20and looking forward to new opportunities.

0:36:20 > 0:36:24And I have every confidence that something right will come along.

0:36:26 > 0:36:29I work in HR. HR's all over the place.

0:36:29 > 0:36:31We're like a plague!

0:36:31 > 0:36:36So, I guess there will be a job for me somewhere.

0:36:36 > 0:36:38Somewhere, there will be one and it'll be the right one

0:36:38 > 0:36:43and it'll be the one which is even better

0:36:43 > 0:36:47than anything I've ever done in the UK ever before.

0:36:47 > 0:36:49It'll be there. It has to.

0:36:53 > 0:36:56The family are currently renting a three-bedroom house

0:36:56 > 0:36:58in the Perth suburb of Padbury.

0:36:58 > 0:37:00There are plenty of amenities nearby,

0:37:00 > 0:37:03but their home isn't everything they dreamed of.

0:37:03 > 0:37:06I wouldn't buy a house this small. I would buy something bigger.

0:37:06 > 0:37:11We need something a bit bigger when we have our own home, eventually.

0:37:11 > 0:37:13The house does not give me enough outdoor space.

0:37:13 > 0:37:17I would like, you know, probably about twice as much land,

0:37:17 > 0:37:18as a minimum.

0:37:18 > 0:37:21Despite their experiences in their trial week,

0:37:21 > 0:37:25the family were still shocked by how expensive houses were in Australia.

0:37:25 > 0:37:27I think that there's absolutely no doubt

0:37:27 > 0:37:29that we were surprised at the cost of property.

0:37:29 > 0:37:31I think what surprised me even more

0:37:31 > 0:37:36is that Craig and I did some calculations the other day

0:37:36 > 0:37:39about what would be feasible in terms of a spend on a house

0:37:39 > 0:37:43and actually we're still miles better off renting at the moment

0:37:43 > 0:37:44than we are buying a property.

0:37:44 > 0:37:48Their hope for a home on its own plot of land is still a dream.

0:37:48 > 0:37:54I think to make moving to Australia complete for me and the family

0:37:54 > 0:37:59would be to be able to own the land that we've talked about in the past.

0:37:59 > 0:38:03You know, a bigger plot. I think that would probably...

0:38:05 > 0:38:07..be the cherry on the top, really.

0:38:08 > 0:38:10But the children seem happy where they are.

0:38:10 > 0:38:14And this, my friends, is my dad's hammock.

0:38:14 > 0:38:16We love the hammock!

0:38:16 > 0:38:20My brother and sister are really, really weird.

0:38:20 > 0:38:24This, my friends, is my big body.

0:38:25 > 0:38:27A two-headed body!

0:38:30 > 0:38:33While Craig doesn't yet have the home of his dreams,

0:38:33 > 0:38:37Australia has given him the lifestyle he longed for.

0:38:38 > 0:38:43It does alter your outlook on life, I feel.

0:38:43 > 0:38:46The fact that, you know, we do more things as a family now.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49I think moving out to Australia has definitely helped

0:38:49 > 0:38:52with obtaining more of an outdoor lifestyle.

0:38:52 > 0:38:55Definitely. There's no doubt about it.

0:38:55 > 0:38:57You know, we spend so much more time outdoors

0:38:57 > 0:38:59than we did ever in the UK.

0:38:59 > 0:39:01I think that, overall, our lifestyle

0:39:01 > 0:39:04is definitely better in Australia because...

0:39:06 > 0:39:08..the kids just can get out all the time.

0:39:08 > 0:39:12They're on their bikes, they're running around, riding around.

0:39:12 > 0:39:14Alison rides her bike to school every day and back again.

0:39:14 > 0:39:19Um, I can get out and run most mornings, which is great.

0:39:20 > 0:39:23Craig, what do you do, love? You mow the lawn.

0:39:23 > 0:39:26Always out in the back yard!

0:39:28 > 0:39:31- But at least you're doing that.- Yeah.

0:39:31 > 0:39:33Tito and Roxy are thriving.

0:39:33 > 0:39:37BOTH: I voted for Australia...

0:39:37 > 0:39:38Because...?

0:39:38 > 0:39:40There's loads of animals.

0:39:40 > 0:39:44You can find them everywhere

0:39:44 > 0:39:50and you never know when they're going to pop out or not.

0:39:50 > 0:39:53The children have adapted to life in Australia.

0:39:53 > 0:39:57They absolutely love it. It's fantastic for them.

0:39:57 > 0:40:01It's more fun because you get...

0:40:03 > 0:40:05I get to play with my friends more

0:40:05 > 0:40:09and that's what I like about Australia.

0:40:09 > 0:40:12It's just wonderful that the kids can also learn, you know,

0:40:12 > 0:40:15about the important things in life.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19As you say, it's not important for them

0:40:19 > 0:40:22to have a mobile phone all the time.

0:40:22 > 0:40:27And eldest daughter Alison has also adapted to Aussie life well.

0:40:27 > 0:40:31I have enjoyed spending time outdoors with my friends

0:40:31 > 0:40:35cos in England, it was always the same thing over and over

0:40:35 > 0:40:38and here, I can go camping and invite my friends

0:40:38 > 0:40:43and just do stuff that we couldn't have done before.

0:40:43 > 0:40:48It's just better because every time it's new and different

0:40:48 > 0:40:50and something better to do

0:40:50 > 0:40:54than just walk around a shopping centre.

0:40:54 > 0:40:58For the family, the move's brought plenty of positives,

0:40:58 > 0:41:02but for Chantelle, leaving behind loved ones has been heartbreaking.

0:41:02 > 0:41:05I've never made any secret of the fact that, actually,

0:41:05 > 0:41:08I would be devastated to leave them behind

0:41:08 > 0:41:13and I have been and I find it difficult without them.

0:41:13 > 0:41:16Thanks to Craig's relatives in Perth, though,

0:41:16 > 0:41:19Chantelle has managed to secure what she worried about most -

0:41:19 > 0:41:22a close network of friends and loved ones.

0:41:22 > 0:41:24- Hello.- How are you?- Fine, thank you.

0:41:24 > 0:41:28- Not coming in, then? - No, we're actually quite enjoying it out here.

0:41:29 > 0:41:33I think having family around has helped a lot

0:41:33 > 0:41:35to make the transition much, much easier

0:41:35 > 0:41:37than it would have been otherwise.

0:41:37 > 0:41:41I'm not sure how I would have coped if they hadn't been around.

0:41:41 > 0:41:42So, yeah, it's really, really good.

0:41:47 > 0:41:49I love having a house full of people and children

0:41:49 > 0:41:51and I love that they're all family and connected to us.

0:41:51 > 0:41:53It's absolutely fantastic.

0:41:53 > 0:41:56My children value having their cousins around

0:41:56 > 0:41:58and it's one of the most positive things, I guess,

0:41:58 > 0:42:01that's come out of this process for us

0:42:01 > 0:42:03is that they do have all their cousins around

0:42:03 > 0:42:05that helps to make them feel like they belong.

0:42:05 > 0:42:08There may have been teething problems,

0:42:08 > 0:42:12but Chantelle and Craig are adamant the move was the right thing to do.

0:42:12 > 0:42:16If we had the opportunity again to vote,

0:42:16 > 0:42:18I think the vote would be the same.

0:42:18 > 0:42:20Yeah, definitely Australia.

0:42:21 > 0:42:23Yeah, I think it's a good place

0:42:23 > 0:42:27for my children to grow up at this point in time.

0:42:27 > 0:42:32- It's not all a bed of roses. - No, but we didn't expect it to be.

0:42:32 > 0:42:35Talk for yourself. I did!

0:42:35 > 0:42:38- I'm very disappointed I didn't get a bed of roses.- No, no, no.

0:42:38 > 0:42:40The thing is, we did not expect it to be a bed of roses.

0:42:40 > 0:42:43We knew when we were coming out that you've still got to live.

0:42:43 > 0:42:47You've still got to do the same things that you've done before.

0:42:47 > 0:42:50You know, you're still going to have good times and bad times.

0:42:50 > 0:42:53Yeah, I agree. I do agree.

0:42:56 > 0:42:59The France-Brothertons have been on an emotional rollercoaster

0:42:59 > 0:43:01in the last year.

0:43:01 > 0:43:04They might not have everything on their wish list,

0:43:04 > 0:43:07but their new life is really starting to come together

0:43:07 > 0:43:11and thanks to their determination to pursue their dreams,

0:43:11 > 0:43:14something tells me this family's future Down Under

0:43:14 > 0:43:16will be a resounding success.