Please note: this is an old article
It was published in May 2012, so the information may be out-of-date.
Greater Shepparton made the most of its chance to show off its enviable lifestyle and business prospects to around 8,000 people at the three-day Regional Victoria Living Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre last week.
The Expo, held 27-29 April, is a Victorian Government initiative to drive investment and population to regional and rural Victoria.
“I received business enquiries ranging from a sustainable energy project to restaurants,” said Geoff Hay, Council’s Team Leader for Business and Industry, who fielded questions from interested visitors to the Greater Shepparton City Council stand.
“But overwhelmingly, the enquiries were around employment, and I heard from engineers, transport, health and IT professionals, as well as many families who were interested in the attractive cost of living and education possibilities we enjoy.”
Geoff and David Wilson, Team Leader Marketing and Promotions, were joined by representatives from local business in handing out materials such as the ‘Live, Work, Invest’ prospectus and DVD, local newspapers and specially developed information about employment and education. The stand, inviting visitors to “Explore the Possibilities,” featured high quality images of the region’s stunning natural environment, high quality leisure activities and other facilities.
“We will be able to keep in touch with many of these people who left their details with us,” he said. “We can share these enquiries with local businesses, to match them up with current vacancies, and of course we will follow up on the investment interest.”
People who were interested in a tree-change heard from Campbell Soup’s HR Coordinator Lauren Lilburn, who moved to the area from Melbourne in 2010. Representatives from SPCA and Goulburn Valley Health also took the opportunity to present their businesses as career opportunities.
“People were keen to tell me how they wanted to escape the ‘rat race’ and enjoy more time with their families,” said Greater Shepparton Mayor Michael Polan, who attended the launch. “This has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase to them the lifestyle and opportunities they can enjoy in our region.”
“While we don’t expect a sudden influx of Melburnians, this has been a great opportunity to raise the profile of our region in the minds of people who are considering making a move to country Victoria,” he said.