Young professionals choose Shepparton for careers and community

“I was just really ready for a change and to explore something new,” she said.

Originally an engineer, Ms Braithwaite is retraining through Teach for Australia, which places participants in schools experiencing teacher shortages.

“There’s a need for people out here. There’s jobs, and it’s a more affordable place to live,” she said.

“The city is no longer serving as a place to buy a house and raise a family when you’re young.”

Shepparton is attracting young workers across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing and construction, but finding a job is only one part of settling into a new region.

Committee for Greater Shepparton’s Fiona Blick runs the Community Connector program, which helps new arrivals find their feet and build connections.

She said Shepparton was the perfect place for young professionals to gain experience and build their careers.

“If you want to develop your skills, if you want to build your career, come to Shepparton for that next step up,” she said.

Ms Blick said helping newcomers establish social connections was crucial to keeping them in the region.

“If all you’re doing is going to work, coming home, and sitting there … you’re going to leave,” she said.

For Ms Braithwaite, building a life outside work has been just as important as her job.

She joined a local football and netball club, where she has met people and explored towns across the region.

“It’s still a community feel here, but it’s big enough to have everything you need. It even has a Kmart,” she said with a laugh.

Shepparton’s job market also drew Sookie Li, who moved from New Zealand in 2022 for a job with food manufacturing company Unilever.

“The job is more interesting, and I think that is the main drive for me,” she said.

“A new environment is always fun.”

After arriving, Ms Li quickly stumbled upon an event run by Goulburn Valley Young Professionals on Facebook.

“I loved the mix of different faces, different backgrounds, different ages who all get together and have a chat and have some fun.”

She is now president of GVYP and said the group continued to help her build friendships in Shepparton.

“Every single social night, I will meet new people,” Ms Li said.

“The community vibe is really strong in Shepparton.

“The people are really nice and try to help you to adapt to the new environment.

“Although I don’t know how long I will stay here, I’m really enjoying the life currently.”

Ms Braithwaite will spend two years in the region while she completes her TFA master’s degree.

“Then I just have to decide if I want to stay,” she said.

For now, she said there was still plenty to discover about regional life.

But attracting young workers is only half the battle.

• Next week, the second part of this series will explore whether young people are staying in Greater Shepparton.