Episode 1

The tree change scheme is launched, and the Trundle Tree-Change committee starts reviewing applicants from all over the world. They decide that Trundle’s Christmas Fair will double as an open day for the short listed applicants. On the day they are inundated with hopeful families and after a tour of the town the interviews begin. There are a range of Tree Change applicants including a Muslim family from Sydney. After a very long day the Committee retire to the pub and spend the next three days agonizing and arguing over the short list, finally the decisions are made and the families are notified. They are all delighted and one of the families, the Guerkes tell the Committee they have already packed up their house and arrive shortly afterwards. They waste no time getting down to work stripping floors and washing walls. The Elemam’s are the next to arrive. Nabih, the husband, and his mate come ahead of the family with the removal truck. Despite the fact that their farmhouse is one of the farmhouses in the best condition, Nabih looks devastated and tells his mate in Arabic that he doesn’t think he’ll be back!