Ambassadors for Regional Living
The Ambassador Program consists of individuals, families and business owners who have successfully relocated and thrived in regional Victoria will be built upon in the coming weeks. From panel discussions to one on one chats, this is your opportunity to better understand what is required in making a move to regional and rural Victoria from people who have made the move. The Expo will also profile some of these well known regional people from across the sporting, music, arts and cultural fields to help build better awareness of the opportunities to "Live, Work, Invest, Study and Thrive" in regional Victoria.
Current Ambassadors include Margot Spalding, Cameron Ling, Helen Vivian, Matt Dempsey, Evermore, Miao He Rick & Todd Kelly, Bronwen Clark, , Gabrielle Albrecht, Dale Weightman, Athol Guy, Billy Brownless and David Mann
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MARGOT SPALDING "I travel often, but love to drive back up the Calder to Bendigo ...... "home"! With JIMMY POSSUM’s 9 stores in 4 states and 1 territory, Alan and Margot could live anywhere and centre their business anywhere, but they choose Bendigo as the place for Possum Central." |
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CAMERON LING "Born and bred in Geelong, it was the best childhood ever! Living here gave me the opportunity play for Geelong and now I have invested back into the area with two restaurants. It’s a great place to raise kids and I will never live anywhere else." Watch Cameron Ling discuss how great his regional Victorian lifestyle is |
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HELEN VIVIAN "With communications being so easy, I’d recommend a move to the country to anyone – especially people involved in the arts,” she said. “It’s a fantastic environment – to me the sense of space is inspirational. Living is cheaper too. For the amount that people would spend on rent in the city they can be buying a house here and establishing some financial security." |
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MATT DEMPSEY "I was born and raised in regional Victoria, travelled the world working and returned to regional Victoria to open my recently opened restaurant Gladioli." |
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EVERMORE "Living in regional Victoria allows the space to write and create music. Love the environment of the landscape. Anyone considering moving to regional Victoria, I highly recommend the move." Watch Evermore's Jon Hume discuss how great his regional Victorian lifestyle is
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MIAO HE " Living in Horsham has many advantages. The cost of living is cheaper here than in the city, a smaller population means there is less competition – for everything from jobs to car parks! Also the lifestyle is so relaxed. Working in Horsham is giving me the opportunity to build up my skills and confidence. I have joined the Horsham East Rotary Club – something that I do not think I would have the chance to do in China." |
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RICK & TODD KELLY "We are passionate about Mildura. Great people, open spaces, fantastic weather and has everything a family could want. We would still live there if it were for our racing commitments. We travel back when we can to visit family and friends and love it." |
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BRONWEN CLARK " I put a lot of planning into where and how I would start a business, and I was sure that a smaller community would be more supportive than trying to set myself up in a highly competitive and commercial field in Melbourne. I have lived and worked in cities both in Australia and Europe. After returning to Australia I was keen to explore country living. I wanted to feel part of a community and get involved in things happening around me and the Wimmera has certainly delivered that." |
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BILLY BROWNLESS "What I love about living in Geelong is that you can park out the front of where you want to shop and be home in 15 minutes so why live anywhere except regional Victoria." |
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GABRIELLE ALBRECHT “Living in a regional area has opened up many opportunities for my professional and personal development. I met my husband here and I now live on a farm in Gerang Gerung (population 14). Despite living a fair distance from our neighbors, let alone a town, it’s hard to feel isolated. I was given the opportunity to undertake a leadership course through the Wimmera Development Association and now I am establishing my credentials as a board member through the Australian Institute of Company Directors. I love living in a small community and what that has to offer. It is the perfect environment to raise healthy, happy kids.” |
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DAVID MANN “I love my role catching up with businesses and organisations around Victoria to promote them to the public, and to highlight their success stories and achievements” |
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DALE WEIGHTMAN "I love Mildura. Playing football in Mildura gave me the opportunity to be selected to play for Richmond. Football brings the community together and the support I received was fantastic. Highly recommend in raising a family in regional Victoria." |
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ATHOL GUY "Travelling the globe with The Seekers, I could have lived anywhere yet I choose to live in the Macedon Ranges, one of the most beautiful places in the world. I still travel extensively performing and for business commitments and love coming home to my cottage in mountains." |
2013 Dates & Opening Times
- Friday 12 April
- 12 - 5pm
- Saturday 13 April
- 10 - 5pm
- Sunday 14 April
- 10 - 4pm
Venue
Melbourne Exhibition Centre 2 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Melbourne, Australia
