By Fiona Blick
MOVING to a new town, city, country, is one of the most stressful things a person can do, and studies have shown if these people are not deeply connected within 12 months they will pack up and leave.
One person to take this leap of faith and move from the big smoke of Sydney to the GV is Ethan Stonnill, who came straight from university to start his career in health promotion in Shepparton.
“I lived in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney, with my family and I am the eldest of two boys,” Ethan said. “I have come to Shepparton by myself and was lucky enough to secure a rental property without too much trouble.
“When I first considered moving to Shepparton, my biggest concern was whether I’d find a strong sense of community and opportunities to connect with people.
“I was also worried about the availability of services and activities that I enjoyed in Sydney.” He said those concerns were quickly alleviated after he moved.
“The community in Shepparton is incredibly welcoming, and I found it easy to make new friends through local events and groups,” Ethan said.
“There are plenty of activities in Shepparton that match my interests – especially if you are into exploring.
“Plus, the slower pace of life and the beautiful natural surroundings of the Goulburn Valley have made the move really fulfilling for me.
“What surprised me most was the incredible diversity of the community and how it’s reflected in the local culture,” said Ethan. “I didn’t expect such a big mix of backgrounds in a regional area, which is great since it brings such a rich variety of tradition and especially lovely cuisine to the area.”
Another pleasant surprise was the level of innovation in local initiatives like the Shepparton Art Museum – “You get the sense Shepparton is a small town with a big vision.”
“It didn’t take too long for me to settle in, but considering it was my first big move by myself, there were a few challenges at first,” he said. “Thankfully, I had a great conversation with Fiona from the Community Connector Program, who was incredibly helpful.
“She provided some really useful tips and even introduced me to a young professional social group, which has been a fantastic way to make new friends and feel more connected here.”
For more information on the Committee for Greater Shepparton Community Connector Program please phone Fiona Blick on 0499 351 441.
