Community Connector Program

We know the importance to personally welcome and connect new residents to our wonderful community. This is why we have developed the Community Connector Program a FREE service to businesses and new-to-area professionals.

Community Connector Program (CCP) is a collaboration between Greater Shepparton City Council and Committee for Greater Shepparton and was developed to assist new-to-area residents with a relocation concierge service supporting all aspects of their relocation and assisting those people considering relocating who need the extra reassurance and support at the decision-making end.

If you are a business and want to know more about how you can tap into this free service, please click here.

This program was established using Dr. Cath Cosgrave’s Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework — a person-centred and holistic approach aimed at tackling the long-standing health workforce shortages facing rural communities — as well The Health Workforce Recruiter Connector Model that Dr. Cosgrave identified on a Churchill Fellowship to Canada investigating effective approaches to strengthen the settlement and social connections of newly-arrived health workers in rural Australia. Learn more about Dr Cosgrave’s research.

Here's how we can help

  • Finding a home – securing accommodation whether it be rental or to buy can be tricky at the moment. We have brokered a great relationship with the real estate agents and will help you navigate the best way to engage with them. We can conduct a house inspection and identify suitable areas that suits needs of work or schooling.
  • Finding a job for your partner – there are many employment opportunities available at the moment. We can connect you with a recruitment agent, our regional jobs platform or to a specific business that suits your qualifications. The Grow Greater Shepparton website also provides a platform for job seekers to upload their profile for businesses to connect to. 
  • Determine the right school or childcare for your children – there are many education options in Shepparton – public, private, Catholic, Christian, Islamic; and we have a couple of special education schools too.
  • Provide all the local intel – where to shop, get your haircut, the doctor clinics taking clients.
  • Deeply connect you with the community – making friends is critical to your success here in Shepp. We can help you link with a sporting group, art class, board games club, hiking group; whatever it is that you enjoy doing
  • We have also have networking opportunitiesShepp Newbies Facebook group, Captains Table dinners which are hosted by your Community Connector Coordinator throughout the year at different local restaurants) and we also support the GV Young Professionals group.
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Rosie Njoroge

“Moving to a new town can be scary and overwhelming as you do not know anyone or know much about the place. The Community Connector Program has helped me meet new people (...) I am so glad I reached out as I have settled in well and made new friends.”

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Rosie Njoroge

My name is Rose Njoroge. I am originally from Kenya.  

Recently I got a job in Shepparton that prompted me to relocate to Shepparton from Melbourne.  I was struggling to find a place to rent with the current housing crisis. I reached out to the Community Connector Program and with Bim's assistance I managed to get a house. 

Moving to a new town can be scary and overwhelming as you do not know anyone or know much about the place. The Community Connector Program has helped me meet new people through their newbie’s dinner and the social events they organise. I am so glad I reached out as I have settled in well and made new friends.

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Cynthia Jayaseelen
New employee, Goulburn Valley Health

“Bim also gave me a tour of Shepparton to familiarise myself with the area. I know I can reach out to her if I need any advice. CCP is a great initiative, and I am glad that my employer introduced me to it!”

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Cynthia Jayaseelen
New employee, Goulburn Valley Health

I am a young doctor who moved all the way from India to Shepparton by myself. Bim from the Community Connector Program was introduced to me by my employer.

Beginning life in a new country can be a quite challenging and stressful. With Bim’s assistance, I was able to find accommodation and transport.

Bim also gave me a tour of Shepparton to familiarise myself with the area. I know I can reach out to her if I need any advice. CCP is a great initiative, and I am glad that my employer introduced me to it!

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Ahmad Tabish
New employee, Pental Products

“Bim has been a great source of help and information. She has been advising us on everything about Shepparton such as housing, the culture of the city, events etc; she is always available with prompt responses at emails and calls.”

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Ahmad Tabish
New employee, Pental Products

I am extremely thankful to Bim for her assistance for our relocation from Sydney to Shepparton.

We were introduced to Bim by my new employer here at Shepparton (Pental Products) where I have joined as a Senior Research and Development Scientist in the innovation space of the company.

Bim has been a great source of help and information. She has been advising us on everything about Shepparton such as housing, the culture of the city, events etc; she is always available with prompt responses at emails and calls.

We are thankful that we were introduced to the Community Connector Program, and we can call Shepparton as our new home.

As Australian Prime Minister's youngest Distinguished Global Talent Awardee, I am keen to contribute effectively and efficiently towards the growth of the great City of Greater Shepparton.

Thank You Bim and team.

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Tharindu
Medical Doctor, Goulburn Valley Health

“Bim warmly welcomed us to this great town, Shepparton. She has provided us so much information and made our lives easier during this stressful transition period. We will surely refer you to our friends or anyone in need.”

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Tharindu
Medical Doctor, Goulburn Valley Health

Bim warmly welcomed us to this great town, Shepparton. She has provided us so much information and made our lives easier during this stressful transition period. We will surely refer you to our friends or anyone in need.

Thank you so much for your kind support. We are happy to be a part of this great community.

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Dylan, Sarah & Kayla Saffy
From South Africa

“We cannot thank Bim and Community Connector Program enough for all the support, guidance and help. Bim has gone above and beyond to make us feel included in Shepparton and feel at home. Without her assistance, we would have felt so lost.”

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Dylan, Sarah & Kayla Saffy
From South Africa

My family and I recently moved to Shepparton on a work visa from South Africa. I am currently working as the Depot Manager for the Shepparton roads services division for Downer.

Our daunting yet exciting move was made a lot easier due to wonderful service from the Community Connector Program. We came across the Shepparton Newbies facebook page and with plenty of excitement joined the group, even though we weren’t in Shepparton yet. We got a speedy response from Bim asking if we were in Shepparton and if there is any help needed.

Bim gladly offered us assistance where needed. Aside from including us into the activities in Shepparton, Bim even assisted us in the process of securing a rental. She effortlessly agreed to assist with our rental applications and gave us recommendations of areas that would be well suited for our family. As we arrived in Shepparton, we had a home ready.

We cannot thank Bim and Community Connector Program enough for all the support, guidance and help. Bim has gone above and beyond to make us feel included in Shepparton and feel at home. Without her assistance, we would have felt so lost.

Kind regards The Saffy Family.

We have found there is no family situation the same so we offer a personalised support services that engages with new professionals for as long as they need to feel settled and connected.

First thing we suggest you do is call our Community Connectors if you have not already.  This does not need to be formal; we are happy to just have a chat if that’s what you need to navigate your relocation.

Our Community Connector has a passion for regional communities and a drive to see people connected to create a rich and happy life. They are excited about this opportunity and sees we all have a role to play in showcasing the best of Greater Shepparton.

  • This flyer explains how the Community Connector Program can assist with new employees relocating to the area.

    PDF, 1.4 MB
  • Are you a professional considering a move for a new lifestyle and career? This flyer outlines how our Community Connector Program can help to welcome and connect you to our community.

    PDF, 664 KB
  • We can help businesses like yours by providing a relocation support service for anyone considering, or has already accepted, a professional position with a Greater Shepparton business.

    PDF, 518 KB
  • We can help businesses like yours by providing a relocation support service for anyone considering, or has already accepted, a professional position with a Greater Shepparton business.

    PDF, 357 KB