Last September Limited Edition featured a West Wickham woman whose family were on the brink of starting a new life in Australia. Now six months later, Michele Shepherd is happily settled near Melbourne living the life she has dreamed of. HEATHER RAMSDEN reports

But Michele says things have not been plain sailing all the way and they were fortunate to have the support of family living in Melbourne.

"How anyone survives in a new country without support is amazing and I understand why so many turn back."

Michele and husband Simon decided to settle in an area near to their family with good choice of schools for children Robyn 12, and Sam, nine, good transport links and reasonable house prices.

And after living in a rental property for a month they were lucky enough to find a house to buy.

Not only was it well within their budget but it was also situated on an estate between their children's two schools and therefore full of all their friends.

The Shepherds even qualified for a first-time buyer grant of 12,000 Australian dollars towards their house.

Describing their home, Michele says the estate is five years old and is surrounded by farmland and countryside.

"We have a large pond/wetland area at the estate entrance where the kids fish and you must drive carefully in case there are any ducks wanting to cross the road.

"There is a showground within walking distance which occasionally has an interesting Sunday market.

"Just last week the Grand Prix came to town, and there were cars and drivers and grid girls. All the shops, cafes and restaurants were buzzing."

The Shepherds' house is a large detached double storey with features including three double bedrooms and a master suite, large living areas, an enormous bathroom with a spa bath for two, a remote double garage, air conditioning and a garden big enough for a pool. And they got all of this including all the fees, for just over £156,000.

However, on the work front, the family were faced with a few of their biggest stumbling blocks.

After having secured their permanent residency as skilled migrants, they were unaware Simon, an electrician of 20 years, would have to do about two years worth of tests to get a equivalent registration in Australia.

"Just to get a very basic registration, Simon was asked to fill in a number of forms, provide several douments and pay more money," Michele said.

But then their luck changed again when Simon was offered a job as a sales rep for an electrical cable company and having fancied a change anyway, he grabbed the opportunity.

"Now, for the first time he gets sick pay, holiday pay and a pension. Instead of working in hot, dirty conditions he is in an air-conditioned office.

While they still intend to pursue Simon's registration, she says: "It's a complete change for him and he's enjoying it so far."

Michele says her biggest relief is that the children have both settled well at school and have made many friends.

"Sam went on camp to the bush and Robyn has just come back from three days surfing and sand sculpting on Phillip Island."

"On the whole I like the Aussie school system as I feel my children stand a chance of a proper childhood without being tested at every opportunity.

"A few Aussie schools are trialling a no-homework policy with excellent results. The emphasis is on work done in the classroom and homework is only given out if children haven't achieved the required amount at school.

"In all cases, results improved and children had much more free time for out-of-school activities such as sport."

Michele warned: "If more schools take up this programme, England won't stand a chance against Australia in any sporting fixture."

She adds that where they are living they feel much safer than they ever did in England with Sam able to cycle to and from school and play out all the time.

She says now that the family are settled, she is hoping to find a job as it would be a good way to meet people and "exercise my brain".

"In the meantime, I spend my days keeping up with my friends in England, home making and shopping and doing lunch it's not a hard life by any means.

"I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity, I know there are people who would love to do what I've done but for various reasons are unable to.

And Michele says there are still certain things she yearns for in England such as British shops, British TV and Indian and Chinese food.

"But all of that is nothing compared to how much I miss my friends.

"That said I have never thought it would be a good idea to return to England. I live in a beautiful warm country that will take me the rest of my lifetime to explore, from the snow-topped mountains to tropical rainforests to inner deserts to white sandy beaches to any of the capital cities.

"I have a beautiful large house in which I can entertain to my heart's content and no mortgage.

"My children have a bright future, as do we as a family. We spend lots of quality time together and are never stuck for things to do.

"As I said before I left, in England we existed and here in Australia we are living!"