0:00:02 > 0:00:03How far would you go to give
0:00:03 > 0:00:05your family a fresh start
0:00:05 > 0:00:08after devastating times?
0:00:08 > 0:00:13In 2014, the Simpson family were considering leaving the UK behind
0:00:13 > 0:00:16to start again on the other side of the world.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Today, we'll discover if it's
0:00:18 > 0:00:21the UK or Australia the family now call home.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Three years ago, the Simpson family were about to finally
0:00:25 > 0:00:28realise their dream of a new life down under...
0:00:28 > 0:00:30We had a great big party and said, "This is it.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32"Next year we'll be out in Australia."
0:00:32 > 0:00:34..when tragedy struck.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37I was frightened to go to sleep every single night in case
0:00:37 > 0:00:39she would be dead by the time I woke up.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42In 2014, they spent a week in Australia to see
0:00:42 > 0:00:44if it could offer a new beginning.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I want this to be a fresh start for my family.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48One year on, find out
0:00:48 > 0:00:51if the Simpsons have made the life-changing move.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It was like, do we go? Do we not go? What do we do?
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Often referred to as "the lucky country"
0:01:19 > 0:01:22because of its economy and opportunities, Australia's been
0:01:22 > 0:01:25the top destination for Brits seeking to emigrate
0:01:25 > 0:01:27for over 25 years.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30With its sunny climate and outdoors lifestyle,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32it's easy to understand why.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36But it takes more than luck to build a new life down under,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and every year 18,000 expats return to the UK
0:01:39 > 0:01:41with their ambitions shattered.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49In 2014, after the most challenging year of their lives,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52the Simpsons were determined to put the past behind them
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and move to the other side of the world.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57After a week to discover
0:01:57 > 0:01:59if Australia could offer the lifestyle they were
0:01:59 > 0:02:04longing for, the family would face the biggest decision of their lives.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08One year on, today, we'll discover what happened next.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The family's original journey to Melbourne began with more
0:02:14 > 0:02:16than 10,000 miles in the air.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17As they touched down in Australia
0:02:17 > 0:02:19for the very first time,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Michelle's spirits were high.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23We are very excited to be here today.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27I'm hoping this week is going to be a big changer for us,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29that big decision that makes us actually say yes,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32and that we want to start a new life and build it here.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35But Garry was playing the cautious card.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Yeah, we want to experience as much as we can
0:02:37 > 0:02:38just to make sure that the move's right.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42So we've got to make sure we tick all of those boxes off.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Having finally reached Australia,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47the next week would be key in deciding whether the Simpsons
0:02:47 > 0:02:50could get the fresh start they so desperately needed.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58In 2014, the Simpsons - Dad, Garry, Mum, Michelle,
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Fraja, then aged five, Erinn, who was 14, and Howie, who was 16,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06were living on an RAF base in North Yorkshire.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Garry and Michelle had been dreaming of a life down under
0:03:09 > 0:03:11for nearly two decades.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Moving to Australia was something that we actually wanted to do
0:03:14 > 0:03:15a long time ago,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17before we even had the children.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- This has been our dream for so long. - Yeah, yeah, it has.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24But life and Garry's military career had got in the way.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26We ended up staying longer and longer and longer,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and it got to the point there, the dream kind of
0:03:28 > 0:03:31went out the window for a little while.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Two years previously, Garry had become eligible for his RAF pension.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39With the extra financial security that brought, at long last,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42a move to Australia was back on.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Plans were made and the family started to say their goodbyes.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49We sat here on the New Year's Eve, had a great big party and said,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51"This is it. Next year we'll be out in Australia."
0:03:56 > 0:03:59But the joy was short-lived.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Devastating news brought Garry and Michelle's plans to
0:04:01 > 0:04:05an abrupt halt, when four-year-old Fraja was diagnosed with cancer.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Garry and Michelle spent months by Fraja's bedside,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15as their daughter fought for her life.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20As a family you go through everything, you know. The why us?
0:04:20 > 0:04:25Why Fraja? And, yeah, it's really devastating.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30It's been so horrific, so many ups and downs.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Many times we weren't even sure she was going to make it through.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Fraja's neuroblastoma cancer saw her undergo intensive surgery
0:04:38 > 0:04:43and chemotherapy, but her body began to fight back on its own.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46And after just 12 months...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Fraja's on the mend. She's doing exceptionally well.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Erm, she's rewritten some of the books.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Fraja's cancer had gone into remission.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01But that didn't mean it would never return.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04The cancer that she has is one that reoccurs.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07And if it does reoccur, then we know that these children don't
0:05:07 > 0:05:11actually have much opportunity or chance to actually survive.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Only two places in the world offered pioneering treatment
0:05:14 > 0:05:18should Fraja's cancer come back - America and Australia,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21but it would come at a cost.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23With the help of friends and family,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25the Simpsons had raised almost £200,000
0:05:25 > 0:05:28towards possible health care costs.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30They were determined to put
0:05:30 > 0:05:32the harrowing last 12 months behind them,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36and give all three children the fresh start they needed.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39The laughter in our house, it's not there any more
0:05:39 > 0:05:41and I want to get that laughter back.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I want to hear my kids giggle, I long for that.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46I really long for that.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Australia could have offered the care
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and new beginning the family needed.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55But Garry knew the move would be a risky one.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58He'd spent all his working life with the RAF.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00I can't come back and get my job back.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It's not like I'm a carpenter or a builder that
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I could just come back and slot back into. No, that's it.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09When I've left, the door is 100% shut.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12And the job wasn't the only thing Garry would be saying goodbye to.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Both his parents were waging their own battles with cancer,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and Michelle and Garry worried about leaving them behind.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Knowing what we've potentially got ahead, you can't get that time back.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26So that's really, really the hardest thing.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Can we do that? Does this make us heartless if we go now?
0:06:31 > 0:06:35If we don't go now, will we ever get this opportunity again?
0:06:35 > 0:06:36It's a huge question,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39and I'm not sure at this stage if we actually know the answer to that.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50The Simpsons spent their trial week in Melbourne.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Their temporary home was a modern four-bedroom townhouse,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55and first impressions were good.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- It's nice. Absolutely perfect. - Oh, wow, this is nice.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Fraja was already feeling at home.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08I think Australia is a wonderful place cos it's getting warmer.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10After years of longing,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14it had been exactly the start Michelle had hoped for.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Do you know, I actually can see myself
0:07:15 > 0:07:18living in Australia in a property like this.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20It's beautiful.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22But both she and Garry were well aware of what was
0:07:22 > 0:07:24riding on the week ahead.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28I am nervous, because I think I have set myself high targets
0:07:28 > 0:07:31on what I'm expecting to see and what I want to see.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34This week in Australia is absolutely massive for all of us,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37assuming and hoping that Fraja, you know,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39remains well and nothing ever changes on that.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42We do, at some point, need to draw the line and try and move on.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I want this to be a fresh start for my family.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We need to draw a line at some point in our lives
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and tell cancer it's not going to rule us.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Back in the UK the Simpsons were living in army accommodation.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06A house down under would be their first property purchase.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10They'd set themselves a budget of £300,000 and knew just what
0:08:10 > 0:08:13they wanted from an Australian home.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17I love space, I love windows, I love glass,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19so very modern for me, I'd say.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23I love large, family living areas.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26You have an idea in your head what you want. You always do have.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29In fact, if you're willing to adapt and change it a little bit,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32that's OK. If I have to adapt and change it completely,
0:08:32 > 0:08:33I may not be so sure.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43We showed the Simpsons three houses in Melbourne, two
0:08:43 > 0:08:47based on what they could afford, and one which could be their dream home.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49The search began in the suburb of Epping,
0:08:49 > 0:08:5240 miles north-east of Melbourne city centre.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56With a good range of schools, shops and parks,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59it should have been perfect for family living.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Did this spacious four-bedroom home get the day off to
0:09:02 > 0:09:03a good start?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- Wow. Yeah.- This is nice. - This is absolutely beautiful, yeah.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- It's very spacious, very, very light.- And very posh.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Another thumbs up from Fraja.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17This is lovely, isn't it? It's nice and big.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Walk-in wardrobe.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23This is a really big bathroom.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24This is exactly what I think
0:09:24 > 0:09:26we envisioned when we were back at home.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29There was plenty of room in the kitchen too.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Garry, look at the size of this. This is huge.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Oh, this is.- Wow.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And the outside area lived up to all expectations.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40I'm actually lost for words, the fact that
0:09:40 > 0:09:43it has managed to tick everything that we've asked for.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- It has. Absolutely fantastic.- And on the very first property.- Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Look at the view. You can see Melbourne city.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Isn't that beautiful?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55This house had wowed the Simpsons.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58But was it on the right side of their £300,000 budget?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Are you ready?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07That was £3,000 under budget.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- Wow.- I didn't expect that.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- No.- That's well within our budget.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Ticked all the boxes. About hit the nail on the head with the price.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Erm, fantastic.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Their day was off to a great start.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Next stop was Eltham,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31a suburb with a country feel just 12 miles from the city centre.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35This four-bedroom house had a large garden
0:10:35 > 0:10:39perfect for a spot of socialising, but did the inside impress?
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Oh, this is a nice-sized bedroom, Garry. Big windows. I like this.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47First impressions were positive,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51but it wasn't long before things took a turn for the worse.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52I have to say, for me,
0:10:52 > 0:10:57I'm not feeling that family feeling in this house for me.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Luckily, the kitchen fared better.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- This is... - This is nice.- ..a change, isn't it?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Oh, I... That's pretty, isn't it?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Definitely see potential in here, without a doubt.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09But it wasn't enough to convince Michelle.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11There's something missing.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I'm not feeling that I could,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15this could be somewhere of my choice that I would live.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Outdoors, however, lifted everyone's spirits.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23This is pretty, this is nice.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- This is lovely.- I do like this.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28You can hear a lot more birds
0:11:28 > 0:11:30than what you could in the other house.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33But it wasn't just birdsong Erinn was hearing.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37The only thing that I'm not too sure is probably
0:11:37 > 0:11:39the sound of the roads, the cars.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Michelle and Erinn couldn't imagine this house as a home.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46But with the family's £300,000 budget,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48could they have afforded it, anyway?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Three, two, one.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54That was £22,000 over budget.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Wow.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59That's a lot. I'm genuinely quite surprised with that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- I'm, I'm very surprised...- Yeah. - ..purely because of the location...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- I think the noise.- ..the noise.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Yeah, not for us.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Next up was what we thought could have been the family's dream home.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16It was situated in Diamond Creek,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20an up-and-coming affordable suburb, popular with families.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Would this spacious, modern five-bedroom house
0:12:24 > 0:12:27be the perfect fit for the Simpsons?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Oh, wow.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- This has the wow factor. - This is gorgeous, isn't it?
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- I could live here.- It's a dream house, definitely.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38The kitchen had a perfect panorama.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Look at the view! Look at that.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42This is absolutely stunning.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44This is absolutely stunning.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The house was everything Michelle had dreamed of.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51If this house belonged to me, I would be smiling all day.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Yeah.- It's just, it's beautiful.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58It had an impressive spot for entertaining friends.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Wow, it's absolutely gorgeous.- You feel like you're in the countryside.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Yeah.- Completely in the countryside
0:13:03 > 0:13:06with just...open air and space.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Downstairs wasn't short on space either.- A-ha!- Oh, wow.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- This could be a huge games room. - Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Oh, wow.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22And it even had a home from home for Garry's mum and dad.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- This would be ideal for them. - Definitely.- Absolutely.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29While outside was the icing on the cake.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Absolutely awesome.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36This is a beautiful family home.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38And I could hear
0:13:38 > 0:13:40laughter already in this house.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44But was it somewhere the family could afford to call home?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47The last house. Are you ready to see what the price is?
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- Wow.- Wow. - That's really good, that is.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55It was £91,000 over budget,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58but not necessarily out of reach.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03The budget didn't include an annexe for my parents.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04This includes that.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07This is what would make me happy.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Yes, I know.- Yeah. It would be perfect.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It had been a day of mixed reactions on the property front.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15House number one got
0:14:15 > 0:14:17the day off to a great start,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19at a price well within budget.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Property number two was
0:14:20 > 0:14:22slightly on the small side,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and the noisy traffic didn't help.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26But the final house was
0:14:26 > 0:14:27the Simpson's dream home.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28And although it had a
0:14:28 > 0:14:29price to match,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31it could have been worth
0:14:31 > 0:14:32stretching the budget for.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36So, did the family choose properties at home or away?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Based on the three houses that we've seen today,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40we've decided to vote for...
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Australia!- Australia!- UK!
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Why did you vote UK?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Just on the price of the houses.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57You know,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59is that a dream house we want or do
0:14:59 > 0:15:01we want a better work/life balance?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08With Garry's vote for the UK,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11the family's future down under was looking uncertain.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14But, if the couple could get the right jobs, the home
0:15:14 > 0:15:18and lifestyle they'd been dreaming of could still have been achievable.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Michelle was the main visa applicant.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Back in the UK, she was a pharmacy technician,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27a job she was passionate about.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32I really would need to have a very similar role in Australia,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35because for me, it's all about patients, and I love it.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37If the job does not fit for me,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I think it possibly could be a make-or-break decision.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44To find out if she could get a similar job in Melbourne,
0:15:44 > 0:15:48we arranged for Michelle to spend time at a local hospital.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Fellow pharmacy technician Sarah Gallier showed her around.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Michelle was keen to know
0:15:53 > 0:15:57if she could still have close contact with people in her care.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Sarah, do you find that you get quite attached to your patients,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03in regularly, the ones that you see regularly,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05or do you not really get to know your patients very well?
0:16:05 > 0:16:07I really don't get to know my patients very well at all.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09No, definitely not.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13That wasn't what Michelle had been hoping to hear.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Meanwhile, across town, Garry was off
0:16:16 > 0:16:18to find out about his job prospects.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Back in the UK, he was a communications expert in the RAF,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27a career he worried about leaving.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30When you serve in the military, you know, you have your house,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33your education, the education for the kids,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36and of course I'd be giving all of that up.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39To find out if his military skills would transfer to a civilian
0:16:39 > 0:16:42marketplace down under, Garry met with Robert Fortescue,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45general manager of a specialist IT company.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48You've been working in the military for 25 years,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51you're committed, so it's not like you've job-hopped.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Erm, and now, again, you know, that's a major concern for a lot of
0:16:55 > 0:16:56organisations nowadays.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- And I would see that as an advantage.- Excellent.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02It was sounding positive for Garry.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Back at Alfred Hospital, Michelle met with
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Diane Walters, Deputy Director of Pharmacy, to find out
0:17:08 > 0:17:11if work existed for her, and how much she could earn.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16We would certainly be considering you for, easily,
0:17:16 > 0:17:17for a grade two position.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21What sort of salary are we looking at for myself?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Around 48,000 a year.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Once you move into a grade three technician, you're then
0:17:27 > 0:17:30looking at somewhere between 50,000 and 54,000.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33That is a lot higher than what I expected.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37In fact, it was over a third more than Michelle earned at home.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40She also took the opportunity to ask about the care Fraja could
0:17:40 > 0:17:43receive in Australia, if she needed it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45The health care system here is world-class,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50and certainly the specialist centres would offer the very new
0:17:50 > 0:17:53and the very pioneering treatments relatively easily.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Thank you very much for today.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58You've given me so much to think about. Thank you.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Knowing Fraja would get the care she needed
0:18:01 > 0:18:05if they made the move down under was a huge relief for Michelle.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09But having to forego close contact with patients was disappointing.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Were Garry's work prospects more encouraging?
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Do you see any potential opportunities
0:18:17 > 0:18:18for myself in Australia?
0:18:18 > 0:18:23Where the market's going, you know, it's on a good trajectory so,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26so by the time you've actually made the commitment,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28and you're moving to Australia,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31then there should be, should be opportunities available for you.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35And what about the all-important question of money?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Salary-wise, somebody of your skills, say,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41you're probably looking around about 100, 120K a month.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47That was £66,000 a year way beyond what Garry had been expecting.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48That's fantastic, Rob. Thank you.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50No, I appreciate you coming in.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51- Thank you.- Thanks, Garry.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The couple had discovered they could be much
0:18:55 > 0:18:57better off working in Australia.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01But the day had been about much more than just money.
0:19:01 > 0:19:07Knowing that Fraja is, can be looked after, in safe hands,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I mean, that just, for us, that is the biggest thing of all.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12It is. It's above everything.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15The dreams that we want have got more chance of being reality now,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17more than ever, isn't it?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Yeah.- Which is great.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Now you can kiss me.- All right, thank you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24SHE CHUCKLES
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- Excellent. Really pleased.- Yeah.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31It had been an encouraging day for the couple.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34So did they choose work in Australia or the UK?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Australia.- UK.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Never.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Wow.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- Honest?- Yeah.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52I'm shocked with that.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Even with the increased wages?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57I like what I do. I like what I've achieved so far.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00I enjoy my job well as I do and I think that
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm not going to get that opportunity straightaway here.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It's going to take me some time to build that back up.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Yeah, fair enough.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- See what tomorrow brings.- OK.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17With Michelle's vote for the UK,
0:20:17 > 0:20:21where the Simpsons' future lay was still far from certain.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25A move for the family was all about a new start after traumatic times,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28so would a day experiencing Australia's lifestyle
0:20:28 > 0:20:30prove the perfect tonic?
0:20:30 > 0:20:31What's funny?
0:20:31 > 0:20:33The way you look!
0:20:33 > 0:20:35The family spent the day horse riding -
0:20:35 > 0:20:38an activity they all enjoyed in the UK.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It was one of Fraja's favourite hobbies.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50It's been lovely seeing Fraja on a horse today
0:20:50 > 0:20:52because she's well, I'm seeing her actually enjoy herself
0:20:52 > 0:20:53and she's healthy.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58The last time she was in the saddle,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Fraja had been undergoing treatment and Michelle was amazed
0:21:01 > 0:21:03at just how far her daughter had come
0:21:03 > 0:21:04in the space of just one year.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07She wasn't speaking then
0:21:07 > 0:21:09and she obviously still had the nose tube and everything in.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11And she had no hair then as well.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12But the smile on her face,
0:21:12 > 0:21:17she just sat there the whole time with a huge grin, a smile...
0:21:17 > 0:21:21so I knew this activity today was going to be the one for her.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22I really did, you know.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25So, yeah, this beats the beach, this beats anything, any day.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28This is just absolutely amazing.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32And it wasn't just Fraja who'd seen benefits from the day.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35It's been a really long time since I've been on a horse, and...
0:21:35 > 0:21:37if we did move to Australia,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39I would want to do this on a regular basis.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43All right, guys. Do you want to come and get something to eat?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45The day had brought home for everyone how much a move
0:21:45 > 0:21:47could transform family life.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49When you've been through an experience
0:21:49 > 0:21:51like Fraja has or we all have as a family,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54you tend to look at things completely different.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56You know, all of us have come here with our own apprehensions,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58our own worries.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59It's definitely a massive risk
0:21:59 > 0:22:01and it's definitely a massive gamble.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05We are going to sacrifice an awful lot to come out here.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08I'm hoping it's going to be worth it.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12It's one way of closing a door on the past
0:22:12 > 0:22:14and stepping forward into the future.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17I feel very positive towards Australia,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20but I still have a lot to think about.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Michelle and Garry still had concerns
0:22:22 > 0:22:25about whether they could make the move down under a reality.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29But based on lifestyle, which country did the family choose?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- ALL EXCEPT HOWIE:- Australia!
0:22:34 > 0:22:37It was almost a clean sweep.
0:22:37 > 0:22:43I liked when we rided the horses and when we had a picnic
0:22:43 > 0:22:47and when we feeded the horses.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- So, you like Australia, do you? - Yeah.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01The Simpsons' day out had shown them
0:23:01 > 0:23:04what a new life down under could offer,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06but the finances would have to be right
0:23:06 > 0:23:08if they were to afford it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- OK, are you ready?- Yeah.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12To help Garry and Michelle do the sums,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16we prepared a comparison of costs between the UK and Australia.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19They started with the weekly shopping bill.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Wow. What's that for? - Dishwasher tablets.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- What's the difference?- 24.26.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28£24.26. That's on a weekly shop.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Yeah. That is a huge difference.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34£100 more on food each month meant the figures
0:23:34 > 0:23:36weren't off to the best of starts.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39How did the bigger outgoings shape up?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Based on property number one,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45our mortgage would be £1,006.31 per month.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Wow.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Despite having no mortgage in the UK,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52the family had found it hard to balance the books.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55UK income, based on our outgoings,
0:23:55 > 0:24:02actually leaves us with an average deficit of £248.67 a month.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06We're spending over what we have coming in.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Mm.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10That's quite a bit.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13In Australia, the family's outgoings would be even higher
0:24:13 > 0:24:16as they'd be paying a mortgage for the first time.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19But the couple's potential earnings down under
0:24:19 > 0:24:21combined with Garry's military pension
0:24:21 > 0:24:27could add up to £160,000 a year, which was a considerable sum.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29So, where did that leave them overall?
0:24:29 > 0:24:35So, we'd be better off by £2,782.49.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- A month.- A month.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40That's £33,390.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- Better off.- Better off in one year.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- Wow.- I am so stunned.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- That's a huge amount. - Pack your suitcases.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I'm so happy.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'm so happy and I'm very excited.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57It was time to put the figures to the vote.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01- BOTH:- Australia.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I have been absolutely surprised and shocked at those figures.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08I think we've got some exciting times ahead.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It looked like Garry and Michelle's dream of a fresh start in Australia
0:25:18 > 0:25:20was finally within grasp,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22but starting again on the other side of the world
0:25:22 > 0:25:25would mean breaking close bonds in the UK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30The family decided to watch messages from home together.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Would the thought of leaving those close to them in the UK
0:25:33 > 0:25:34prove too much to bear?
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Best family you could ever have.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42I'm not just saying it, but they really, really are.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Michelle is fun-loving. She's very bubbly.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47She's the life and soul of the party with a naughty streak to her.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49- Definitely. - THEY LAUGH
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Howie is the loving one. He's the one that does the worrying.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- He's very sensitive.- Yeah.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58But Erinn is the same. She really is.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59She's very thoughtful.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- Giggly.- Giggly. Oh, she is.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- She's a little troublemaker. - I think Erinn causes her trouble.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06My best friend is Fraja.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09We play hide-and-seek.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Sometimes Fraja always finds me.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17She's just a marvellous, marvellous child.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Really, really brave. Yeah. We're so proud of her.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23We really are.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I think it will be very hard to leave Ann and Terry,
0:26:25 > 0:26:30especially with what Ann and Terry are going through with their cancer.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35We want them to go knowing that it's what we want for them.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Just remember, we love yous and we'll miss yous no matter what.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41We know you'll do the right thing.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We'll always be here for you. You know that.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50And just we'll see you when you get home.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It's horrible watching them, like, isn't it?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06It is, because fact is right now your mum and dad, they need us.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Can we leave your mum and dad at such a time in their lives
0:27:10 > 0:27:11when they actually need us?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13As much as they've helped us,
0:27:13 > 0:27:18they need, yeah, looking after themselves, don't they?
0:27:18 > 0:27:19What you thinking, Fraja?
0:27:19 > 0:27:20How do you feel?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26How do you feel after seeing your friends on TV?
0:27:26 > 0:27:27A little bit sad.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Why do you feel sad?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Cos I might not see them again.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I think we've got lots to think about, haven't we?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Whether this is going to be the right decision for us.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Heartfelt messages from the UK had hit hard.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Now the family faced their final decision.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Their week in Australia had reassured Michelle
0:27:58 > 0:28:01the country could help put the past behind them.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02This 12 months has been so hard on the family,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05so the emotions the whole family were having to feel
0:28:05 > 0:28:08while Fraja was going through treatment,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10you could never describe it.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13I was frightened to go to sleep every single night...
0:28:15 > 0:28:17..not knowing if she was going to be there the next morning.
0:28:19 > 0:28:20We needed this.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22We needed to know that, "You know what?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25"We can rebuild ourselves."
0:28:25 > 0:28:30This week has meant so much to us to finally see Fraja so healthy,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32enjoy life and feel that we can turn the corner,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35move forward and get on with our lives.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37But the week had also been a reminder
0:28:37 > 0:28:39of what they stood to lose.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Friends. I don't want to leave them behind.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49And Garry was still struggling with the thought of leaving his parents.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51You know, you feel an element of guilt to be honest with you
0:28:51 > 0:28:53because they have been there, you know,
0:28:53 > 0:28:54through a really difficult time.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56It's certainly going to be hard no matter what.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00So, with their final turn of the cards,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03where did the Simpsons decide their future lay?
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Based on our week this week, we've decided to vote for...
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- FRAJA:- UK!- HOWIE:- Both! - OTHERS:- Australia!
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Fraja, why did you choose the UK?
0:29:21 > 0:29:22Because of my friends.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Cos of your friends. Aw!
0:29:25 > 0:29:26That's fair enough.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29I probably want to move to Australia.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31The only thing that's holding me back is family.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Pleased we both voted the same way. Makes the decision a lot easier.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38I think we can actually start living our life
0:29:38 > 0:29:39rather than living a dream.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- Yeah.- Let's go for it.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45HE LAUGHS
0:29:49 > 0:29:52It had been an emotional week for the Simpsons,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55but it appeared Garry and Michelle were convinced
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Australia could give their family the fresh start they needed.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Five months since we last saw them, the Simpsons are living in...
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Durham in the UK, but not for long.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- We are going in four days.- Yeah.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16We'll be flying over to Melbourne
0:30:16 > 0:30:19and it's going to be a whole new adventure.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Their week down under convinced Garry and Michelle
0:30:23 > 0:30:26they should go ahead with the move.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28It gave us the confidence to go,
0:30:28 > 0:30:30"Yeah, it's 100% right for us," and that was it.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31- We went for it.- Yeah.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Decision made,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37the family haven't wasted any time preparing to emigrate.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40The hard bit was waiting for the visa to be approved.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Once we heard back that they had been granted and approved,
0:30:43 > 0:30:44that was it.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46We could start planning from there.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48But battling through the bureaucracy of a move
0:30:48 > 0:30:50hasn't been easy.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Doing all the documentation, all the paperwork, you know,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55removals, insurance -
0:30:55 > 0:30:58yeah, it is a huge amount to organise.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02And just two weeks ago,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04it looked like history was about to repeat itself
0:31:04 > 0:31:07when Fraja attended hospital for her final scan.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They thought they'd found something, didn't they?
0:31:11 > 0:31:14So, literally everything was potentially thrown into jeopardy,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17so that week was just an absolute nightmare.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21It completely threw our lives upside down again,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25and it was like, "Do we go? Do we not go? What do we do?"
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Thankfully, it was a false alarm and Fraja was given the all-clear.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36It left Garry and Michelle in no doubt
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Australia was the place for the family to be.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Over there we know that there is treatment available.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44In the UK, there is no more real treatment.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46There's nothing more she can have,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49so, yes, it's made us more determined,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51if anything, to go.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Garry's already landed a job down under.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Put the feelers out to see what was available
0:31:57 > 0:31:59and one opportunity came back very quickly.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04And it offered us a great three-year contract,
0:32:04 > 0:32:08so literally jumped at the opportunity.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Michelle, meanwhile, is planning to take some time off
0:32:10 > 0:32:13to settle the family when they arrive,
0:32:13 > 0:32:15but leaving her job in the UK was a wrench.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18The hospital itself was amazing. It really was.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21It's going to be hard pushed to find somewhere
0:32:21 > 0:32:23that's going to match what I've just left.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26All that remains is to say their goodbyes,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29and for Garry, leaving his parents will be tough.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31I think deep down they would love to come with us,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33and maybe, you never know, one day might.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- It could happen, maybe happen. - I hope so.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38But certainly the want is there from them as well, I think.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42- Yeah.- I think once they come across to visit, then who knows?
0:32:43 > 0:32:46But the family are itching to jet off for their new life.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49We're ready for the move now. Definitely.
0:32:49 > 0:32:50Enjoy life as a family.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54I'm like a nervous schoolgirl. I can't wait to go.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Fast-forward eight months, it's May, 2015,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05and the Simpsons are living in...
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Melbourne, Australia.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12The family's dream has at last become reality.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15It's the most amazing experience. I'm loving it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17I'm embracing this new life.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Starting again on the other side of the world
0:33:20 > 0:33:22hasn't been without its challenges.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26It was relentless when we arrived and it hasn't stopped.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30We've been here several months now and we are still photocopying,
0:33:30 > 0:33:32scanning, sending things off.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35It really does take a lot of time.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36And money.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Getting your driver's license, that was 500.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Everything seems to add up. Started the kids in school. Books.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45You've got to buy books for the kids, so, I mean,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48that's another 1,000 just for their school books each.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50It is a massive outlay to start with.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54But a stiff upper lip has seen them through the testing times.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58You have to hit each change with a positive outlook
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and just accept it for what it is.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Australia and the UK are two very different countries.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07They're very similar but they're very, very different,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09and you have to embrace the difference.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13The family settled into a rental property in the suburb of Yallambie
0:34:13 > 0:34:15when they first arrived with no immediate plans
0:34:15 > 0:34:18to buy a property until fate intervened.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20We just thought we'd start doing some initial looking.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- No intentions to buy.- Yeah, with not a great deal of intention.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- We just wanted to understand... - Yeah.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28..how Australia sell and buy homes.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31And then this property came along quite by chance, and yeah,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34it ticked, I think, nine out of the ten boxes, pretty much,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37so we thought, "Yeah, let's go for it,"
0:34:37 > 0:34:38and luckily, it paid off.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Home for the Simpsons is now a detached four-bedroom house
0:34:42 > 0:34:46in a location the family were already familiar with.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49We loved Diamond Creek when we first walked around here.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52The area was where the Simpsons viewed their potential dream house
0:34:52 > 0:34:54during their trial week.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57It came out of the blue to find that after buying this property that
0:34:57 > 0:35:00that house that we fell in love with is just behind this one,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03so we know it's definitely the area we want to be in.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Relocating to Diamond Creek from Yallambie
0:35:06 > 0:35:08meant another upheaval for the children.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Having to change schools twice in a matter of six months
0:35:11 > 0:35:14has definitely put a lot of pressure on them,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18and they really, on the whole, have coped remarkably well.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20A place to call their own has helped everyone
0:35:20 > 0:35:23settle into their new life down under.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Having a house gives us the feeling of permanence.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31It makes us feel like we're creating a family home,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33somewhere to live for a long, long time.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Having spent their entire married life
0:35:39 > 0:35:40in army accommodation,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Garry and Michelle are delighted with their first ever venture
0:35:43 > 0:35:45into the property market.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47When I walked through the door,
0:35:47 > 0:35:51it gave me a real warm feeling in my tummy, and yeah,
0:35:51 > 0:35:52absolutely fell in love with it.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Spacious family living was top of the wish list
0:35:55 > 0:35:58for a home down under, and this house has buckets of it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I love the houses in Australia.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05The open living, the way that it flows room from each room.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10Going from one living area to three is quite a significant increase,
0:36:10 > 0:36:11but it's great.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16This is the lounge-dining-kitchen area.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19It's a great big family space and we spend lots of time in here.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We're going to change the windows and the doors here at the back
0:36:22 > 0:36:24cos we want it to be so that you can open it up
0:36:24 > 0:36:25completely onto the decking.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28It's one of the real big things that we wanted in Australia,
0:36:28 > 0:36:32that outdoor living brought inside as well.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34The couple love their new garden
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and have already been entertaining some of the neighbours.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39We had a kangaroo here the other evening
0:36:39 > 0:36:41just sitting there staring at us.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43This is what we come to Australia for.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45The wildlife is absolutely beautiful.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46The kids absolutely love it.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47Usually on an evening,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49we'll have 20 parrots in the garden all feeding,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52and it's absolutely fantastic, isn't it?
0:36:52 > 0:36:55The whole family agree it's the perfect setting
0:36:55 > 0:36:56for their new life.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02Got a great view of the garden. A fantastic view outside.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04This is my room. I've got a nice view as well.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I love the view from our windows,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10and I sit with the dog looking out the windows quite often, don't I?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12You can sit in the bath
0:37:12 > 0:37:14and you've got a great view out of the window.
0:37:14 > 0:37:15It's fantastic, that.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Yeah. This is my room. I like it.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20You can see outside that window, actually.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Out of my window, you normally see some kangaroos.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27And also, if you're very, very cool,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29you might see parrots.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34Like, there's a parrot on my parrot thingy in the garden.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43After an initial adjustment period, the children have settled well.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Aussie schooling has got the seal of approval
0:37:45 > 0:37:47from Howie and Erinn.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I think the main difference between Australia and England in schools
0:37:50 > 0:37:52is how relaxed they are.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55You call the teachers by their first names
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and they feel a lot more approachable.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59My new school is awesome.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00I've got loads of friends there.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03I enjoy hanging around with them all and stuff.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06And taking up Aussie rules football means Howie has found his feet
0:38:06 > 0:38:08outside the classroom too.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10He's the one I thought would struggle, but he hasn't.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12He's made some great friends, and yeah,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14he's really embracing Australia.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16I think he's enjoying it.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Although she wasn't fully behind the move,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Fraja has been very grown-up about it all.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24I didn't really want to go to Australia,
0:38:24 > 0:38:29but then I found out life moves on.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33I think Fraja has coped very well with the move, considering.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36She has had her moments of ups and downs.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40What I don't like about Australia is that there's snakes,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44and I've heard in Sydney that a few people
0:38:44 > 0:38:47have been getting killed by them.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50But snakes aside,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53even she's been bitten by the Aussie bug.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I like Australia because it's really nice and hot.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00My new friends are, like, pretty good,
0:39:00 > 0:39:05but I don't have as many as in England.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09While everyone's missing loved ones at home,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13the blow has already been softened by a visit from Garry's mum and dad.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18They came for seven weeks, which was absolutely fantastic.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20They really enjoyed Australia.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23If the opportunity ever came up, maybe they'd move themselves.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28And his parents gave the move their seal of approval.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31I don't think there were two or three days that would go by
0:39:31 > 0:39:34without a comment, "You've definitely made the right move."
0:39:34 > 0:39:35If Fraja has her way,
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Grandma and Grandpa will be back sooner than they expect.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Grandma.- Yeah, that's the one. - When are you coming back?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- OVER LAPTOP:- We'll just have to wait and see.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45Why do you have to wait and see?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It takes a long time to get there, doesn't it?
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It only takes about three days.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- How long do you want Grandma to come for next time?- A year.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- A year.- That's a lovely thought, isn't it, sweetheart?
0:39:57 > 0:39:58You never know, Fraja.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Garry started work shortly after the family landed down under,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05and he's had no problems settling.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09I'm currently teaching students information systems.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11I thought the transition from leaving the air force
0:40:11 > 0:40:15was going to be quite difficult, but thoroughly enjoying it.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20I'm really enjoying working with a younger lot. It's great.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24Though there has been an element of adjusting to his new workmates.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29Completely different sense of humour to myself, but you know,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31I fit in well with them.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Garry's new work schedule means he has more time with the family.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37I'm usually in the house just after four o'clock,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39and that really makes a massive difference.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41I'm usually arriving not long after the kids
0:40:41 > 0:40:42get in from school,
0:40:42 > 0:40:43so that extra hour,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46we're actually spending that really good quality time.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49It just feels like work fits around our lifestyle.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52We're having that family time that we never had.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55And the Simpsons are making the most of the great Aussie outdoors.
0:40:57 > 0:40:58We pretty much have everything in the car.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02The chairs are in the car, there's a spare change of clothes,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05the towels are in there and we just go off for a drive
0:41:05 > 0:41:06and see where we end up.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Extra money in Garry's pay packet
0:41:08 > 0:41:11has taken the pressure off Michelle finding a job.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14At the moment, there's no urgent need for me to be working.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16We're managing very well on Garry's wage alone.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20While she's waiting for her UK qualifications to transfer,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Michelle's been pondering becoming a student.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27There is some courses coming up at one of the universities
0:41:27 > 0:41:30for a pharmacist, so I'm thinking of applying.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32You never know. In four years' time,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35I could be a fully-qualified pharmacist here in Australia.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39The health care support Fraja has been receiving
0:41:39 > 0:41:41has been reassuring for the couple.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Since we moved here, Fraja's health has been really good.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46She's under a fantastic specialist here.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48I couldn't have asked for a better one.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53We feel absolutely comfortable with anything he suggests or says.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Yeah, that definitely reinforced that we made the right move...
0:41:55 > 0:41:57- Absolutely. - ..from Fraja's case perspective.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00You know, we're not out the woods yet,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03but certainly with the team down there,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05it gives you the confidence that we can be quite positive
0:42:05 > 0:42:06for the future.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Life down under has brought the Simpsons closer together,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12and Michelle's finally got the missing ingredient
0:42:12 > 0:42:14back in her life.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Seeing my kids laughing.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20Because back in the UK, I didn't get to see it as often as I wanted to.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Here I'm seeing it so much. I'm seeing it every day.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26There's little bits I'm recognising in my children a bit more,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and I love watching them grow.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30It's so beautiful to see.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33They're less than a year into their new life,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36but Garry and Michelle are convinced they've made the right move.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42I believe the future of my family definitely lies here in Australia.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44It's given us everything that we've wanted so far,
0:42:44 > 0:42:45and it's been great.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46- It's been for the good.- Yeah.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48We're not trying to be Brits in Australia.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50We're trying to be Australian, aren't we?
0:42:50 > 0:42:53My future definitely lies in Australia, without a doubt.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56I absolutely love the way of life across here,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59so, yeah, 100% Australia all away.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06It's taken persistence and months of upheaval,
0:43:06 > 0:43:11but the Simpsons are now reaping the rewards of all their hard work.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13We wish them every success
0:43:13 > 0:43:15as they continue their new lives down under.