Gaining a better work-life balance was the main reason behind the Moir family packing up their Mount Kembla house and hitting the open road with a caravan.
The musically talented bunch otherwise known as The String Family, will spend the next year or so earning their keep from performing.
Mum Sarah and daughter Ashleigh, 11, play the violin, dad Joel and son Heath, 13, play the cello.
In November they took out the Australian National Busking Championships title, the prestige and prize-money spurred them on to change their lives for the love of music and the love of family.
Sarah Moir said they had wanted to explore the country for a number of years but because of her husband's intense IT role it meant they were often quite busy, or they’d get scared and shut down the idea. Not anymore.
“I’m feeling very positive about it, really calm and peaceful to be honest, because of the normal lifestyle it will bring,” said Joel Moir.
Being able to spend quality time with his loved ones and his music is a far cry different to the eight to 14 hour days previously spent in the office.
“There’s still going to be a lot of hard work up ahead. We still need to make enough money to eat and pay our bills,” he said.
With a number of gigs already locked in for the Moir Family Quartet that should hopefully not be a problem.
The tweenagers have already learnt the power of busking from regularly serenading parts of Wollongong for up to $300 an hour.
However, Sarah was quick to add sometimes their violin cases didn’t reap as much as that but were all excited for the adventure nonetheless.
Unfortunately the family has come up against criticism and concern for the children’s education, but mum and dad believe this epic road-trip will give them the most wonderful education in Australia’s rural and regional surrounds.
“It’s not as though they won’t be doing their schooling [as both are enrolled in distance education] but they’re also going to having more life education and a different kind of education,” said Sarah. “... and the experiences they have are going to teach them things that are invaluable.”
Heath is most excited about getting to know his country better and learn more about Australia’s heritage.
Despite missing her friends Ashleigh said she is super excited to visit new and interesting places, especially Queensland “because of the lost of cool action parks”.
The Moir family don’t know exactly when they’ll be back to Wollongong, but for now they have their life packed into a caravan - including Mittens the overweight cat - and a map of Australia.
To follow their travels visit www.facebook.com/thestringfamily/
