Came here 8 years ago on hols. This woman started chatting me up. That was the first time I'd ever been chatted up. She was selling (not herself) Anzac Day badges in the street.

We went out to dinner. 4 years later I moved out here and we got married.

Best thing I ever did.

I've lived in 3 different countries as a child and always wanted to live somewhere different as an adult.
I thought I'd like to live in the U.S but I made some Aussie friends who did a good job of selling the lifestyle

We wanted to live abroad but didn't know where. Loved the idea of Canada but it gets bloody cold and the waiting list was too long. We originally discounted Australia due to the fact I was sure I would be killed by spiders and snakes but we quickly changed our mind when we saw we could get the visa within 6 months and the weather was amazing!

I was 14.. it was 1986.. The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra annouced that their next major tour would be in 1988 and would be to Australia. My eyes lit up and I had a goal - suddenly all the torment of being a young teenager carrying a violin or viola to school for all those years had a potential payoff. I did what was required to get into the orchestra and I became a "Neighbours" addict (in my quest to learn more of where I would be going).

In 1988 after much fundraising my parents forked out the princly sum of GBP500 which sent me on my way as a 16yr old for 5 weeks with 100 other musical mates.

We visited Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong, Goulburn, Sydney, Moss Vale, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns. We played 36 concerts over 35 days ranging from country high schools where they'd never seen half the instruments of an orchestra before and were completely bown away to some of the finest performance venues in the country, some days we played 2 concerts so we had a few days off to explore and do touristy things. We were billeted with local families all over the place and they were all very friendly welcoming an fun.

When we retuned to the UK I vowed to myself that one day I'd come back and explore futher - and my Austalian obsession-seed was well and truly planted.

After my life hit a dull patch in 1998 I dicovered the world of the internet and began chatting regularly to some Australians. Before long I realised that the UK was sucking the life out of me so I did the working holiday thing... I still havent returned (apart from short visits) and since I now have an Australian passport, wife, kids, house etc etc - I'm guessing I never will.

we have always had itchy feet but when I choose Australia to be my topic to teach at school last summer term and got to the point of thinking our own children need more quality time- the two seemed to click into place - notice was subsequently handed in and 6 months later hubby has job and off we go....