0:00:02 > 0:00:04Moving to the other side of the world can be a
0:00:04 > 0:00:07massive undertaking for anyone.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But how would you cope if the search for a better life meant
0:00:10 > 0:00:13potentially splitting your family up for good?
0:00:13 > 0:00:18That was the dilemma facing Wendie and Peter Williamson one year ago.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Today, we'll find out where they now call home.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28In 2013, Wendie Williamson was on a mission to move down under.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32I've wanted to go to Australia for such a long time. It is my dream.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34But it was a dream her son didn't share...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Not all of me mates have a spare £700 for a flight, do they?
0:00:37 > 0:00:40You're not going to be with all your friends forever, are you?
0:00:40 > 0:00:41I'm not saying that.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Without Sonny on board, the dream was in real jeopardy.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50This could be a big decision, a big moment in our life really,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53where we either stay together as a family
0:00:53 > 0:00:55or we leave Sonny behind in the UK.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59One year later - find out where the Williamsons now call home -
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and if Sonny's still with them.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03I definitely think I made the right decision.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30Australia's the top destination for Brits seeking a new life abroad.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34With winter temperatures often reaching 27 degrees centigrade,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and a year-round outdoor lifestyle, it's easy to understand why.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42But moving thousands of miles across the globe can turn the strongest
0:01:42 > 0:01:45dreams into the toughest challenges - and many return to their
0:01:45 > 0:01:49lives in the UK with their ambitions in tatters.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54In 2013, the Williamsons faced some huge decisions
0:01:54 > 0:01:57as they spent a trial week in Australia.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00While experiencing the reality of Aussie living,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Wendie had to convince her son he would have a better life
0:02:03 > 0:02:08down under, otherwise she risked splitting her family up for good.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12One year on, we'll find out on which side of the world the family
0:02:12 > 0:02:15are living and if they're still together.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25The Williamsons' trial week in Perth started with a 10,000-mile journey
0:02:25 > 0:02:27from home and they'd had plenty of time
0:02:27 > 0:02:29to contemplate the week ahead.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31We just need to go and see a bit of the country now.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33See what Australia has to offer.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37I hope I'm going to like it. I should like it.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39I should.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41I'm going to. I'm going to like it.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But the family's decision would depend on eldest child Sonny
0:02:46 > 0:02:48being persuaded.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I hoping that I'll make up my mind by the end of the week...
0:02:51 > 0:02:53whether to decide to come here or not.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56What if it's 50/50?
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Then...I don't know
0:02:58 > 0:02:59Then you'll come.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04There was tension in the air as the Williamsons
0:03:04 > 0:03:07set out on the most important week of their lives.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09When it was over they'd have to decide not only
0:03:09 > 0:03:13where their future lay but whether they'd spend it together.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Peter, Wendie, Sonny
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and Reece were living in Hartlepool in the north-east of England.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Wendie was just 19 when she first began to consider
0:03:24 > 0:03:27the benefits of Australia.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Warm, sunny, less populated than the UK.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36She believed it could offer a better quality of life for her family.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I want to provide a better life for my children.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I want to give them better opportunities
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and I don't think I can do that in this country.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47After some reluctance, husband Peter had bought into Wendie's dream.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Initially it was because I had such a good relationship
0:03:49 > 0:03:53with my father and my parents and the rest of my family.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58And then his dad passed away. And since that happened, I think
0:03:58 > 0:04:02his perspective's changed slightly about going to Australia.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Now I'm thinking it could be a possibility.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10But the couple's 19-year-old son, Sonny,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12didn't want to leave his life in the UK.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16There's nothing in my life that I'm not happy about,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19apart from my mum and dad wanting to move to Australia.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25That would just upset everything really.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30He's got a great social life, great set of friends, good job...
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Girlfriend. - Enjoys his job. A girlfriend.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Me and Jen have been together two years.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37We've got quite a strong relationship.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40We know each other pretty much inside out.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Wendie was desperate to move down under,
0:04:44 > 0:04:49but the thought of leaving Sonny behind was tearing the family apart.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51I couldn't leave him here without anywhere to live.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I couldn't... That just wouldn't be an option. I would have to say...
0:04:55 > 0:04:56I would probably say...
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I don't know what I would say. It's very difficult.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I don't think Wendie is prepared for going to Australia without Sonny.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06I'm kind of keeping that balance. I'm the one who's
0:05:06 > 0:05:10keeping that topic of conversation going, so to speak.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14For the sake of the family, Sonny had decided to keep an open mind.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I would like to give it a go cos if you rule out something before you
0:05:18 > 0:05:22even try it, then I think you're in a no-win situation really.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24But if he didn't like what he saw,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27the Williamsons could be split for good.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32If they had to move to Australia and I was to stay here it would
0:05:32 > 0:05:38probably be the most upsetting thing ever to happen in my life so far.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I just want him to be with us. And that's it.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I just want Sonny with us.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The Williamsons were at a crossroad.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Wendie had just one week to persuade Sonny to make the move,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53or the family would end up living on opposite sides of the world.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I'm not quite ready to leave Sonny - I am fully aware of that,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and I think he is - we all are.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09The Williamsons spent their trial week in Perth -
0:06:09 > 0:06:12one of Australia's sunniest cities and a favourite
0:06:12 > 0:06:15destination for families seeking a new life down under.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Home for the week was a modern, three-bedroom town house.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Very nice. Nice big television.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25They'd just arrived, but Wendie was already
0:06:25 > 0:06:28thinking about what she wanted from the next few days.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31My ideal outcome for the week would be that we're all
0:06:31 > 0:06:32voting for Australia.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Simple answer but that's it.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But for Sonny, it was much more complicated.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Cos it's my mum's dream I kind of do feel a little bit under
0:06:44 > 0:06:47pressure because she goes on about it so much, she thinks
0:06:47 > 0:06:51she can make me go which sort of makes me want to rebel a bit.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54The whole family was feeling the pressure.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58If the family decision is split at the end of the week,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I'm not sure what Wendie would think about it.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06He said to me that he knows he going to like it but he knows
0:07:06 > 0:07:08that he doesn't want to move as well.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13The possibility of a life down under without her eldest son
0:07:13 > 0:07:16was something Wendie couldn't bear to think about.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I don't think I've prepared myself for that, if I'm honest.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I've just got it in my head that we're all going to move out here
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and everything's going to be really, really happy and somehow I've not
0:07:26 > 0:07:30prepared myself for that. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Back in the UK, home for the Williamson's was a red-brick,
0:07:38 > 0:07:43three-bedroom semidetached house in the centre of Hartlepool.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46The family planned to rent initially in Australia.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50They'd set themselves a budget of £1,500 a month -
0:07:50 > 0:07:53and Wendie knew exactly what she was looking for.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Ideally, it would have four bedrooms.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56I'd like to live near the beach.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Having a sea view's not that important as long as I know
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I could get there within five or ten minutes.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I want it all open-plan and I want a nice pool with a nice garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08And nice neighbours. That's it. That's what I want.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15To give the Williamsons an idea of what the Perth rental market
0:08:15 > 0:08:17could offer, we showed them three properties,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21ranging from what they could afford to their dream home.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23The search began in Port Kennedy -
0:08:23 > 0:08:27a suburb 30 miles south of Perth city centre.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30The four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home was a short
0:08:30 > 0:08:33stroll from the beach, so was it what Wendie was looking for?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- No furniture.- No furniture.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Seems quite small.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41I don't think I'm too excited about this property.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44It definitely wasn't love at first sight,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47but Wendie was keen to know what Sonny thought.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Would you make the move from Hartlepool to Oz for this?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- No.- You wouldn't?- No.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56He wasn't exactly bubbling over with enthusiasm
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and things soon went from bad to worse.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02DOG BARKING
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I couldn't live next door to that, no. I would be forever saying...
0:09:05 > 0:09:06(Shut up!)
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Some extra space upstairs did get a more positive reaction.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Could be a little bedsit for you, couldn't it?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Could be, yeah. I like it. I'd live here.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Things were looking up but the view was a big let-down.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I'm just not too keen on looking out on that, are you?
0:09:21 > 0:09:22And remember the dog?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24DOG BARKS AGAIN
0:09:24 > 0:09:26You'd have to be barking mad to live here.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31The setting and soundtrack weren't perfect, but was the house within
0:09:31 > 0:09:35the family's monthly 2,400 budget?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37For monthly rental for this,
0:09:37 > 0:09:45- I would say no more than 2,000 Australian dollars.- Yeah.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Do you want to turn it over, Reece?
0:09:50 > 0:09:512,400.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- 600 a week.- Yeah...
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Which is our budget.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59It is our budget.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- And I wouldn't pay 2,400 for this one.- No.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07It wasn't the best of starts for Wendie's dream.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Would the next property get things back on track?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15It was in the suburb of Lake Coogee - 14 miles south of Perth.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18So did this three-bedroom Art Deco home
0:10:18 > 0:10:21meet with the Williamsons' approval?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24I don't want to look too excited but I really love this.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Wow, what a huge, amazing space. It is good.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31I love it. I actually do love it. We probably can't afford this.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Outdoors was equally impressive -
0:10:34 > 0:10:38with a family-sized pool and stunning outdoor living area.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40But was it somewhere Sonny could see himself?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Yeah, course I would.- You would?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Be stupid not to really. - Course you would.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49It was just what Wendie needed to hear,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51but it wasn't long before old tensions rose up.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55I would still be unsure.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Your friends could come over for a visit. They're all young enough.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00My mates are 19 and don't have a spare 700 quid
0:11:00 > 0:11:01for a flight, do they?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04You're not going to be with all your friends forever, are you?
0:11:04 > 0:11:05I'm not saying that.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08With his thoughts never far from home,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11it was clearly going to take more than a big house with a pool
0:11:11 > 0:11:13to win Sonny over.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16With a rental budget of £1,500, was this house a home
0:11:16 > 0:11:21they could afford - even if he did come on board?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Shall we turn over and find out? ALL: Yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:302,100!
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- Is that like 150 more...- A week.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41But I'd be paying rent if I do come.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42You'd be paying rent?
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Sonny's contribution could have made the house affordable.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Could be. Maybe.- Yeah.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50And Wendie seized upon the opportunity.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53If you actually come with us and start contributing
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- maybe we could afford something a little better.- Maybe.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Perhaps all was not yet lost.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04The final house was in Secret Harbour -
0:12:04 > 0:12:06a 50-minute drive south of Perth.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Did this modern family home keep up the positive vibe?
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- I like it.- I do, definitely. Do you like that staircase?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I do like the staircase.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22One feature rubbed Wendie and Peter up the right way.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Double shower. I would love to have a double shower in a property.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Of course.
0:12:28 > 0:12:29SHE LAUGHS
0:12:29 > 0:12:32I'm just a man. Just a man.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Children are around.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Cringe.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Spirits were high and Sonny could see some appeal.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- I like this room.- Would you like it? You've got your own bathroom.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47There is like room like for desk or something
0:12:47 > 0:12:49so I can do some drawing and stuff.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52The outdoor space was perfect for Aussie living.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54This is exactly what I had in mind.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57It's the ideal house to move to.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59And things just kept getting better.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- Oh, my God.- You can see the sea.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04- Sea view.- Wow!
0:13:04 > 0:13:07This is definitely going to be out of our price range, isn't it?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11The house seemed perfect for the whole family,
0:13:11 > 0:13:17but was it within reach of their 2,400 monthly rental budget?
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Shall we turn over and find out?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24That was substantially over budget.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Our budget was at 600. This is 900 a week.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30It may have been beyond their means,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33but Wendie wasn't giving up on it just yet.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37This house is worth putting in a little bit more hard work, I think.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Definitely.- Do you think so?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- Yeah, I'd contribute. - You would?- Yeah.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And if Peter's salary increased down under,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47the dream house could possibly have been within reach.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Coming home from work to this?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Of course, if I could make it doable I would, yeah.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59It had been an interesting day on the property front.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03House number one was on budget but the noisy four-legged neighbour
0:14:03 > 0:14:04had put them off.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Property number two had ticked a lot of boxes
0:14:07 > 0:14:11with its family-sized pool and stunning outdoor living area.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15But the final house was the dream home - and although it had
0:14:15 > 0:14:19a price to match, it could have been worth stretching the budget for.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So when it came to properties - was it home or away?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Based on the properties we have seen today we are voting for...
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- WENDY, SONNY AND REECE: Australia. - Undecided.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Why undecided?
0:14:38 > 0:14:44We've been shown three properties and only one of them within budget.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46And we didn't like it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- Fair dos.- That's understandable.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- And you voted Australia.- Yeah. - Why have you voted Australia?
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Well, I wouldn't mind living in a massive house with an en-suite
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- and a pool, would I? - Right. OK. How about you, Reece?
0:14:58 > 0:15:03I think the houses look better than what we live in now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:04Why did you vote Australia, Mum?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I've seen my dream home. My dream home.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I know it is out of reach financially but I'm prepared to
0:15:10 > 0:15:13make sacrifices in order to find a dream property
0:15:13 > 0:15:15where you can come and live with us too.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Wendie may have been prepared to go the extra mile to keep Sonny
0:15:23 > 0:15:27on board, but Peter was sticking to his guns - and his budget.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31If Wendie's hopes were to stay alive, it was vital Perth
0:15:31 > 0:15:34could offer good work prospects for the whole family.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37In the UK, Peter enjoyed his job as Assistant Manager
0:15:37 > 0:15:40for a petrochemical company.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43If I could move my job to Australia and continue doing what I'm
0:15:43 > 0:15:46doing with the same company, that would make me very happy.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Wendie was a care worker
0:15:48 > 0:15:50specialising in drug and alcohol problems.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Where I was brought up, on a council estate, it seemed like many people
0:15:54 > 0:15:58were taking drugs and drugs become a big thing in people's lives really.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03And I thought that I could perhaps get into helping them stay
0:16:03 > 0:16:06off it and maybe steer them on the right road, basically.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Having studied art at college,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Sonny was serving an apprenticeship as a tattooist.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Finding the right work opportunity would be
0:16:19 > 0:16:21crucial in persuading him to emigrate.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24If he could get work out there, I think that would maybe
0:16:24 > 0:16:27persuade him a little bit more to come.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32But as the main breadwinner, it was essential Peter found the right job.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35If I love it in Australia and I can't find the right job,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38then I can't see how we can make the move.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40It would be game over.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44If he can't find the right employment, we might have to consider
0:16:44 > 0:16:48staying in the UK, which fills me with dread.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52With so much riding on the day,
0:16:52 > 0:16:56the family set out to explore what work options Perth had to offer.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59First, Peter set off to get the lowdown on potential jobs
0:16:59 > 0:17:01in the petrochemical industry
0:17:01 > 0:17:04from Recruitment Manager Stuart Marsh.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06There's plenty of opportunity at the moment, OK.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10There's quite a few terminals near Perth or if you're really looking to
0:17:10 > 0:17:12live in Perth and work a bit more remotely,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15there's certainly opportunities further afield.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It was a great start for Peter.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Across town, Wendie was touring a rehabilitation centre
0:17:20 > 0:17:25with Manageress Wendy Shannon. Were her prospects as encouraging?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Are there job opportunities?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I think there is. I think what you offer
0:17:30 > 0:17:34and your experience would actually suit a senior role.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It was positive news
0:17:36 > 0:17:39but a move would hang on Peter's earning potential.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42I'm comfortable you could achieve a salary of around
0:17:42 > 0:17:44100,000 plus benefits.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50Really? 100,000? That equates to about 65...£65,000.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I'd say that's right, yeah.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56OK. That's £20,000 more than what my current salary is. Wow.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02Fantastic news for Peter. Were Wendie's figures as optimistic?
0:18:02 > 0:18:08- Between about 68,000 to 74,000 Australian.- OK.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11That was between 40 to £45,000 a year.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13How would that fit with the work?
0:18:13 > 0:18:17That's very good actually, that sort of doubles my salary.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Both Peter and Wendie had discovered their earning power would
0:18:20 > 0:18:23significantly increase in Australia, but before they could
0:18:23 > 0:18:27share their great news there was an unexpected turn of events.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31The couple discovered Sonny couldn't be included on the family visa
0:18:31 > 0:18:34as he was over 18 and a wage earner.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37With her dream potentially in tatters,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Wendie and Sonny sought urgent advice from a migrant official
0:18:40 > 0:18:44to find out if Sonny could register for a visa of his own.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48If you want to apply at some later stage to come over
0:18:48 > 0:18:51and live in Australia, then tattoo artist is not
0:18:51 > 0:18:54on the Schedule of Occupations List.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Wendie was stunned. If Sonny wasn't eligible for his own visa
0:18:58 > 0:19:01it could have meant her dream was over.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03But there was a glimmer of hope.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06If it was possible for you to be dependent,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09which means basically you'd have to be studying and not
0:19:09 > 0:19:14earning money of your own and you're dependent on your parents,
0:19:14 > 0:19:15then you could be included.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Wendie's dream suddenly rested on Sonny's willingness to give up
0:19:22 > 0:19:25the job he loved to become a student again.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I don't really feel that keen on going back to college.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35It wasn't what Wendie wanted to hear.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40But if I did like this country enough then it would be worth it
0:19:40 > 0:19:44cos it's only six months out of my life...to go back to college.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48So if I did look about Australia a bit more and I did feel like I
0:19:48 > 0:19:49did want to move here
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- then it would be something I would consider, yeah.- OK.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57A move was perhaps still a possibility.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59With a huge sigh of relief,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Wendie and Peter met to vote on working in Australia.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10BOTH: Australia.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16After a day of intense highs and lows, Wendie's face said it all.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19But now the pressure was really on to persuade Sonny that
0:20:19 > 0:20:22emigrating down under would be the best move for him.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32For Wendie, the move was about a better life.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33So did a day out Aussie-style
0:20:33 > 0:20:36draw Sonny closer to the idea of emigrating?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41The Williamsons spent the day at Lancelin,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44one of the biggest sand dunes in Western Australia.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It was a chance to spend quality time together -
0:20:47 > 0:20:49and to gather their thoughts.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52It's a special moment really for us to spend time together.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Having this opportunity to see Australia as a family unit is
0:20:56 > 0:20:59very special for me. It could be our last time together as a family.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Sonny had enjoyed the day.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Today has been unreal and I've really, really enjoyed it.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09So I do have a kind of a battle going on in my mind what
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I want to do at this moment in time.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16I think today has opened Sonny's eyes in terms of the type
0:21:16 > 0:21:19of activities and the kind of lifestyle we could have
0:21:19 > 0:21:22if we moved to Australia, but on saying that,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I think Sonny still has unfinished business in the UK.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28It's his life, at the end of the day, and I don't want to take that
0:21:28 > 0:21:31away from him. All I can do is show him what Australia...
0:21:31 > 0:21:33How lovely Australia is and hope
0:21:33 > 0:21:35that he makes the decision to come with us.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39So had Sonny seen enough to keep his mum's dream alive?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Based on our lifestyle activities today we are voting for...
0:21:47 > 0:21:49ALL: Australia.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53It was a clean sweep. Despite his doubts,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Sonny had given the thumbs up to the Aussie lifestyle.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Wendie's dream lived another day.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08A unanimous vote for the Australian lifestyle was great news for Wendie.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11But now it was time to find out if they could actually afford it.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15We prepared a comparison of costs between Australia and the UK -
0:22:15 > 0:22:18starting with the weekly shopping bill.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- Leg of lamb - £15...- In the UK.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25£9 here. That's surprising, isn't it?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- Do we really eat all this in a week? - Yes, we do.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35£85.73 per week worse off in Australia.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And that was just for food. Next up were the bigger costs.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45The couple based their sums on the second property they saw.
0:22:45 > 0:22:52Rent here, monthly, would be £1,980. That sounds a lot, doesn't it?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54£1,980 a month.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Doesn't it?
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Yes. It does sound a lot. - That sounds crazy.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05It was a huge amount of money but in Australia their combined
0:23:05 > 0:23:09salaries after tax would provide an increase of almost
0:23:09 > 0:23:14£21,000 a year, so did that help balance the books?
0:23:14 > 0:23:20- That would leave us with £3,028. - There you go.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25- So we're better off by £24. - There you go.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27It wasn't much, but it was enough for Wendie.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32You haven't calculated it wrong. You've done it right.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34We're going to be better off in Australia.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38So were the figures enough to convince Peter?
0:23:43 > 0:23:44BOTH: Australia.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50We're going to be better off financially here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Even though it costs more to live here, our wages cover it, yeah.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- We are £24...- Better off a month. - ..better off a month.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01And I'm sure we'll put that to good use.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Yeah, I'm pretty sure we will.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15With the finances just in the black, Wendie's dream was still on course.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19But she wasn't home and dry just yet.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Sonny had made it clear that leaving the UK would be an enormous
0:24:22 > 0:24:26wrench, so would watching messages from home be the family's
0:24:26 > 0:24:28toughest challenge yet?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33BOTH: Hi, guys.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Hi, Wendie. Hi, Peter, Sonny and Reece.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- BOTH:- Hi, Peter, Wendie, Sonny and Reece.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Hi, Sonny.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Wendie is extremely friendly.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49She makes coming to work quite pleasurable really.
0:24:49 > 0:24:56Pete is a real hard worker and he's always got a story to tell,
0:24:56 > 0:24:58he's always a good laugh, isn't he?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01They're just a lovely family really.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Sonny and Reece, beautiful.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08They're very family oriented. They do a lot together as a family.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Sonny is an interesting person.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15He's got a very interesting personality.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18He just does anything for you. He never puts himself first
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- and he just...- He's funny like,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- everything he says has to be a joke.- He's got no shame.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25He just does outrageous things.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28THEY LAUGH
0:25:28 > 0:25:30She's always talked about going to Australia,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33from when she was young, from as long as I can remember.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I'd be really sad to see Wendie go, I really will,
0:25:35 > 0:25:37but happy on the other hand
0:25:37 > 0:25:39because I know it's something she really wants.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44If the whole family go, they'll be deeply missed.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Obviously we'll miss them, we'll miss seeing the boys, Peter.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We'll miss coming up to visit, because we won't be
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- able to get to Australia... - So often.- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58To lose him would be...heartbreaking for any of us
0:25:58 > 0:26:00cos he's such a close friend.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I'd be devastated, don't know what I'd do really.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05I'm getting a bit...
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I've a lump in me throat.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12It's too far away, it's quite upsetting really to think about.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I know this is a difficult decision for you to make,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19we're going to love you no matter what. Take care. God bless.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25If you decide to stay here, we're all really happy, but then again,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29if Australia's the right thing for you to do,
0:26:29 > 0:26:30then you should go for it.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Don't let us stop you. In fact, we won't stop you.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37We love you so much. So live your dream.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43I don't want you to go at all but I know that if you do go,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46it's the right decision for you to make. And...
0:26:48 > 0:26:54I miss you and I love you and can't wait for you to come back.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04I didn't think I'd be upset.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I know how upset she would be if you did come
0:27:10 > 0:27:14and for us to ask you to make that decision...
0:27:14 > 0:27:17We're forcing that upon you in one respect.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19It's up to me what I want to do.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I can stay if I want to stay. I can come if I want to come.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25This is going to be difficult for us, Sonny, as parents to actually say
0:27:25 > 0:27:28goodbye to you if you do decide to stay in the UK.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Yeah, I know but you're not saying goodbye forever.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33You're going to stay, aren't you?
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Mm, yeah. Made my decision, yeah.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37Have you?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- I think he has.- Yeah.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- I'm 19 now, 20 next year...- Yeah.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48I can't be living at home all my life.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51Can I?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Messages from loved ones back home had pushed
0:27:56 > 0:28:01Sonny into a decision - Wendie's worst fear had become a reality.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06As the final vote approached, she faced a heart-breaking decision.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Would she still choose to chase her dream of a better
0:28:09 > 0:28:12life down under, or would the pain of leaving her eldest
0:28:12 > 0:28:14son behind be too much to bear?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18I think I've realised that Sonny does want to stay in the UK.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20I'm having to think a little bit more about that now.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23I just think, I know the distance...
0:28:23 > 0:28:26If he needed me in an emergency, it would be a 26-hour flight.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29I think she thinks she's been a bit selfish maybe in the past
0:28:29 > 0:28:32because she's been saying to me, "You're coming to Australia,
0:28:32 > 0:28:33"I'm not leaving you here."
0:28:33 > 0:28:37But after watching the friends and family video,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I think she kind of realised what I'd have to leave behind.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Sonny's decision had deeply affected everyone.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50I was upset, like my brother, that he didn't want to come over here.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Because my mum and dad do, so it's quite upsetting.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00I'm considering all aspects of what I've got in the UK.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03What possibly could be out here for me.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06And I'm continuously flicking from one side to the other.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10But it seemed Wendie had finally made up her mind.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13I think I have come to a decision on which way I'm going to vote.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19It was time for the Williamsons' to decide where their future lay.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- PETER, WENDY AND REECE: Australia. - England.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35UK, yeah? You're not coming, then?
0:29:35 > 0:29:38No. I've got too much to lose in England.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Do you think that seeing that friends and family DVD
0:29:41 > 0:29:43brought it home to you?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45I've always thought that anyway but, yeah, that obviously...
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Made it clearer.- Yeah.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50So you're not saying never, never though?
0:29:50 > 0:29:51I'm not saying never, no.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02It had been a hugely emotional week for the Williamsons.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06Australia had lived up to all of Wendie's expectations,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08but it looked like Sonny and the family were facing new
0:30:08 > 0:30:11futures on opposite sides of the globe.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13One year on...
0:30:13 > 0:30:18It's January, 2014, and the Williamsons are in the UK.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21But some of them are preparing to make a move.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Their week down under persuaded Peter and Wendie
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Australia should be their future home.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Australia was everything I hoped it would be.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34When I came away, it made me want to go back and experience more.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Having that week in Australia really motivated us, I think.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42It did but I don't think any of us expected to
0:30:42 > 0:30:43be moving as quickly as this.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48On their return to the UK, the couple wasted little time
0:30:48 > 0:30:50getting ready to emigrate down under.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52We came back at the end of May.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57We reduced the asking price of our house in June, it sold in July.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01We moved in here, into the rented accommodation, in July.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04And then started the process of applying for my visa.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06We got all that done and by the September,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08we had all the paperwork that we needed,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12and we got granted in October. So, all in all, that was pretty quick.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Only seven months after returning from their week in Perth,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21the family have already waved goodbye to their belongings,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24but they'll soon be saying a tougher farewell.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Sonny has stuck to his guns and decided to stay in the UK.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31I didn't want to risk going to the other side of the world
0:31:31 > 0:31:32to not be happy.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Their week in Australia helped Wendie realise it was
0:31:35 > 0:31:38time for him to forge his own path in life.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I think after the show she kind of realised how I felt
0:31:42 > 0:31:45and I think she understood my point of view
0:31:45 > 0:31:48and I think she felt quite bad in the end for trying to make me go.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51We said to him, "If you don't want to come to Australia,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54"you have to go and fend for yourself."
0:31:54 > 0:31:59And he did. Soon as we came back, he managed to get himself a house
0:31:59 > 0:32:02and he's been paying his own rent, bills, his own shopping,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and he's been doing really well.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- He's actually proved to us he can survive without us.- Yeah.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11We've got a lot closer since I've moved out and stuff.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Especially in the last couple of weeks when we've
0:32:14 > 0:32:16been trying to spend more time together before they move.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Although it's been tough for Wendie,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21she's come to terms with Sonny's decision.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23We just have to keep our fingers crossed
0:32:23 > 0:32:26and hope that he misses us so much that he'll come out at a later date.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28That's what I'm hoping for.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I am definitely a little bit jealous but
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I still think I've made the right decision.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36I know I can go over whenever I want to see them and stuff.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39So, yeah, I definitely think I made the right decision.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47After saying their farewells, it's time for Wendie,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Peter and Reece to set off for their new life.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52And they can't wait.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55I've got no last-minute jitters whatsoever.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58I'm just really looking forward to this experience
0:32:58 > 0:33:00and grateful I've been given this opportunity.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I can't wait to get on the plane, to be honest with you.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It's quite sad leaving loads of friends behind
0:33:06 > 0:33:09but I know I'll see them in a few years.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Five months later, the family are well and truly settled in Perth,
0:33:24 > 0:33:29Western Australia, but Wendie still has to pinch herself to believe
0:33:29 > 0:33:31she's made it to the other side of the world.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36It felt very strange, if I'm being honest, when I landed,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40knowing that I was not going to be returning to the UK.
0:33:40 > 0:33:41It all felt surreal.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46I couldn't quite take it all in that my dream had finally come true.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Landing in the country without jobs, Wendie and Peter spent their
0:33:50 > 0:33:54first few weeks in Perth taking time to adjust to life down under.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56We both didn't rush to work right away.
0:33:56 > 0:34:02We had enough money to survive, live a nice lifestyle.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Having a month or so off was all part of the plan.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09I kept saying to myself and to you, "Does this feel real?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12"Can you believe we're not going back home?"
0:34:12 > 0:34:15As we were walking up the beach, and it's 30 degrees,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- and you're just absolutely in paradise.- Yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21After living in a rental property for a couple of weeks,
0:34:21 > 0:34:25the family have taken out a one year lease on a four-bedroom property
0:34:25 > 0:34:27in the suburb of Safety Bay.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's been the cause of some dissention.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33That's probably when reality kicked in for me actually,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36when we saw this house and I realised Pete liked it,
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I didn't, but we were moving in any way.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44For a base, it's a good house. It's a good size, got four bedrooms,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47there's massive gardens, there's a double garage,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51it's located in a very nice suburb.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53There's a lot of positives about this house.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57This is our living room.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01I'm not a fan of this living room cos it's pretty dark but...
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Pete likes it.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Wendie hasn't been won over by the kitchen either.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12It's not my ideal kitchen, it's very old-fashioned, as you can see,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14but it serves a purpose.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17But there is one room that gets the thumbs up.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22We had to get a pool table. Every Aussie house seems to have one.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Pete has even got his own space as well.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Which is for his precious decks.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Yeah, this room is...quite a good room.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36And it overlooks the garden as well, which is nice.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38The only thing missing is the pool.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42This is not my dream house.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44My dream house would consist of having a pool,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48that's what I moved over here for, to live the Australian dream.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51It's a good base. The house is big enough.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56It hasn't got a pool but so what? We'll get a pool eventually.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59It's close to Reece's school, it's close to Wendie's work...
0:35:59 > 0:36:01And close to the beach.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Close to the beach, what more do you want?
0:36:04 > 0:36:05A pool.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Despite moving to the other side of the world without employment,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Wendie was lucky to land on her feet.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16I was very fortunate. I didn't have to go searching for work really.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22Contacts made on the family's original trial week proved useful.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26They offered me a job as soon as I stepped off the plane, basically.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29My new job is absolutely fantastic.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35I work on a rehabilitation farm helping clients with addiction.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39It's a lot more relaxed than what I was doing back in the UK.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42I'm part-time and it's absolutely fantastic.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I'm earning the same money I was earning working full-time back home.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Peter found searching for work a bit trickier though.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52The process of looking for a job has been quite difficult.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56You apply for quite a lot of jobs and you get a lot of knockbacks.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Although he's now found a job, it's not quite perfect.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Working with a gas processing company on an island 700 miles
0:37:04 > 0:37:08from Perth will see him working away from home for three weeks at a time.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13I'm not too excited about spending 26 days away from my family,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15but I need to go and earn some decent money
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and that's what this job's going to do for me.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22It doesn't exactly fit with Wendie's vision of family life down under,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24but it does have some upsides.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27We've gone from being a family of four to a family of three,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30and now we're going to be a family of two.
0:37:30 > 0:37:35I didn't really come to Australia to be on my own.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38However, the job that Pete's been offered
0:37:38 > 0:37:41has just a substantial amount of money that he can't really refuse.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46It's a very well-paid job, it will allow me
0:37:46 > 0:37:49to save for the next year. If I did this job for five years,
0:37:49 > 0:37:51we could potentially pay our mortgage off.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55For Reece, the transition to a new school down under
0:37:55 > 0:37:56was daunting at first.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02It was like starting all over and I didn't know anyone.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05I didn't know anything about them. It was really hard.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08But after a few weeks, he discovered some benefits
0:38:08 > 0:38:10of Aussie-style schools.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15The teachers are quite laid back and not worried about
0:38:15 > 0:38:18school uniform or how you dress.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23They're not as strict as England, which is good.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28Most of the people in my classes welcomed me into school
0:38:28 > 0:38:31and it made life a lot easier.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Mum and Dad are proud of how their son has adjusted.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39He's coping really well. I think he seems a lot happier in himself.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42It's a big thing for any 14-year-old to move to the other
0:38:42 > 0:38:45side of the world but he's coped really well with it.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49With some family already in Perth,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Wendie hasn't suffered too much from homesickness.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58Hello, babe! Did you get lost up the freeway?
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Hi, Reece.- Hi!
0:39:01 > 0:39:04It's been lovely having people here I'm familiar with, yeah.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05I think that's a head start, really.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Good to see you again, darlin'.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10They absolutely love it here.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13There's no way that they would ever go back.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17They've got their work, they've made friends, it's great for them.
0:39:18 > 0:39:19But five months after the move,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Wendie's still coming to terms with leaving Sonny behind.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27I've gained family here but left family back home. I do miss Sonny.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Hiya!
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- SONNY:- 'All right, hiya.'
0:39:34 > 0:39:35How are you going?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38He does miss us as a family, but with the beauty of the internet,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40we've managed to stay in touch with him.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43So, it's like he is just down the road, really.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Have fun tonight. Have a nice day as well. See ya!
0:39:46 > 0:39:48ALL: Bye!
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It does feel very strange being just the three of us.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55I do miss him.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58The couple are pleased with how Sonny's coping having flown
0:39:58 > 0:40:03the family nest, but are hopeful one day he will make the move.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07He's coping extremely well but I still would love for him
0:40:07 > 0:40:10to be here with us. And eventually, he might.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14- He will.- He will.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15SHE LAUGHS
0:40:15 > 0:40:17While their move went smoothly,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21at times Wendie and Peter found things did get strained.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Logistically, the journey's been great.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Emotionally, it's been difficult at times.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31It's been difficult on our relationship,
0:40:31 > 0:40:35because I think when you move here you lose your identity slightly
0:40:35 > 0:40:37because you leave family behind, you leave friends behind.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40That has an impact on your relationship because
0:40:40 > 0:40:42you rely solely on each other.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- It hasn't been a completely smooth ride...- No, it hasn't.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49- ..but overall, it hasn't been too bad.- No.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52The lifestyle opportunities afforded by the move down under
0:40:52 > 0:40:55are having a positive effect on everyone.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58The best thing about living here is waking up to sunshine every
0:40:58 > 0:41:02morning and having parrots flying around in your garden,
0:41:02 > 0:41:04walking down to the beach and seeing dolphins.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08You don't get one day of sunshine and six days of rain,
0:41:08 > 0:41:10you get a whole week of sunshine.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15I'm more happy here than I was in the UK because the weather,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19you can do more things. My family life has changed a lot
0:41:19 > 0:41:24because we go out walking the dog, we do more activities together.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28I've been dreaming about coming to Australia since my early twenties,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32I think, and now I'm actually living that dream...
0:41:34 > 0:41:36..it feels fantastic.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41Wendie's always been the driving force behind the move.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44There has been a lot of pressure on me to make this work cos
0:41:44 > 0:41:47it's something that I've talked about for so many years.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51So, almost half a year into their new life down under,
0:41:51 > 0:41:52are there any regrets?
0:41:52 > 0:41:57I'm 100% sure I've made the right move.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59With no doubt whatsoever in my mind.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02I definitely know I've made the right move.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05And the rest of the family seem to agree.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07I think my future lies in Australia.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13I've made a new life for myself. It's a lot better than the UK.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18The whole move has been worth it. We're not going back to the UK.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19I can't see that happening.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23Wendie's dream does exist here in Australia, I would say,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26and we are striving to achieve it.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29I do think our future is going to be great,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33I do see us having a wonderful life, a wonderful lifestyle.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36There's just one obvious downside.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- We're just missing one thing and that's a family member.- Yeah.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43So once Sonny has lived his social life in the UK
0:42:43 > 0:42:46and gets a bit fed up, hopefully he's going to come out and join us.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Eventually - that's the key word here - eventually.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- When it's right for him. - Yeah. That's right.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57Secretly, deep down, I would love for him to be here with us.
0:42:57 > 0:42:58For sure.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Within the space of a year, it appears the Williamsons have finally
0:43:06 > 0:43:10achieved the lifestyle Wendie and Peter had been dreaming of.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12And who knows?
0:43:12 > 0:43:15At some point in the future, Sonny may yet join them.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18We wish the whole family the very best with their new lives.