Hi

If I can add my pennies worth having travelled quite a bit with teenage children. They are amazingly resilient and adapt a lot faster than we adults do. My two moved around for a period of 10 years before going on to university.

Having lived in the UK for the past number of years all I can say is that thankfully I don't have to bring up children over here and I take my hat off to the parents that do as it appears to be very difficult.

From what I know of Australia and the lifestyle (being an ex southern hemisphere resident looking to go back) I am sure the children will love it in the end. They will suddenly find themselves with lots of space and more to do (along with the freedom to do it; if you allow them) than they have time for, especially if they are into sports and the like.

Australians are extremely friendly people, at least the ones I have worked with around the world, and I imagine the children are the same so they will make new friends very quickly. And through the internet they can maintain contact with old friends back home, but I think you will see that slowly changes.

Good luck and take care