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Barratt Family

Episode 9 of 24

Melanie Barratt fell for Australia while competing in the Sydney Paralympic Games. Can a trial week in Melbourne convince husband Richard that it could be home?

Melanie Barratt's first experience of Australia was when she represented Great Britain as a swimmer at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. After winning gold, silver and bronze medals, her success was topped with a proposal on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from her then boyfriend Richard. Sixteen years later the pair are married and parents to two young boys, but the heady concoction of success and romance down under has left a lasting impression on Melanie. Claiming Australia as her spiritual home, she dreams of an outdoor lifestyle by the beach for her family. While Melanie might be prepared to give up a good job, dream home and the support of loved ones in the UK, husband Richard is far from convinced that emigrating is the right move. Happy with the life they have, he finds it hard to believe their future could be better elsewhere.

A trial week in Melbourne will provide the whole family with the opportunity to sample what life could be like on the other side of the world. Will the experience reveal that Melanie's Australian dream could be their reality, or show them all there is no place like home?

45 minutes

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    Years & Years

    King

  • 00:02

    Goldfrapp

    Alive

  • 00:04

    Eliza and the Bear

    The Southern Wild

  • 00:05

    Ben Howard

    Only Love

  • 00:08

    Lily Allen

    LDN

  • 00:09

    Gabrielle Aplin

    Please Don't Say You Love Me

  • 00:10

    Lily Allen

    Take What You Take

  • 00:10

    Mark Ronson

    God Put a Smile upon Your Face (feat. The Daptone Horns)

  • 00:11

    CHVRCHES

    Gun

  • 00:12

    Mr. Scruff

    Sweetsmoke

  • 00:13

    Eliza and the Bear

    Brother's Boat

  • 00:14

    Guillemots

    Annie, Let's Not Wait

  • 00:14

    Paloma Faith

    Upside Down

  • 00:17

    Olly Murs

    On My Cloud

  • 00:18

    Mark Ronson

    Valerie (Instrumental)

  • 00:19

    Paloma Faith

    Beauty Of The End

  • 00:20

    Florence + The Machine

    Between Two Lungs

  • 00:21

    Hozier

    Sedated

  • 00:25

    Snow Patrol

    Give Me Strength

  • 00:27

    Hozier

    Take Me To Church

  • 00:28

    Palma Violets

    Step Up For The Cool Cats

  • 00:27

    Hozier

    Take Me To Church

  • 00:30

    Paloma Faith

    Streets Of Glory

  • 00:31

    Florence + The Machine

    Dog Days Are Over

  • 00:32

    James Blunt

    Bonfire Heart

  • 00:36

    Matt Cardle

    Stars & Lovers

  • 00:40

    The Cinematic Orchestra

    ²Ñ²¹²Ô³ó²¹³Ù³Ù²¹Ìý

  • 00:36

    Ellie Goulding

    Your Song

Barratt family update

We caught up with the Barratt family earlier this year.  Since their week  in Melbourne, Richard has been promoted to director in his company and Melanie is training to be a swimming teacher with a view to running a swim school from home.

The trial week highlighted to all of the family how much they would be leaving behind. Although Australia will always be close to their hearts, a future holiday looks more likely than emigration. 

We wish the family all the best for the future wherever they end up living.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Nicki Chapman
Producer Brian Stanley
Director Brian Stanley
Series Producer Tracie O'Neill
Executive Producer Paul Connolly

Broadcasts