I arrived in Shepparton in 1951, aged 10.
Shepparton had been declared a City in 1950 and had a population of 9,300 people.
Its development boundaries were Balaclava Road, Archer Street and Hayes Street. It had one primary school in Fryers Street and one secondary school, Shepparton High School. Shepparton’s factories were mainly SPC (plus Ardmona Cannery in Mooroopna ), several sauce factories, a cordial factory and several milk and butter factories. Manufacturing and engineering works were limited.
I now look around Shepparton, Mooroopna and the Goulburn Valley Region and marvel at what has taken place over those 73 years.
The Shepparton development boundaries are now Congupna , Doyles Road and River Road. There are multiple state and private primary and secondary schools, two university campuses, multiple major manufacturers in food and heavy products, engineering and water industry products, two major hospitals, major sporting facilities, a remarkable Art Museum and an equally remarkable Motor Museum. The region is home to Victoria’s largest transport and logistics operations. It is now the centre for major visiting events, both sporting and cultural.
Rumbalara, Kaiela Arts and the new Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence exemplify the progress and self-development activities and achievements of the region’s First Nations people.
To me, the strength of this region has been the multicultural make-up of our population which has given it a vitality and energy that is the envy of other regional centres.
I greatly admire the generosity of our citizens. So much has been developed through the philanthropic commitment and contributions from our community rather than just relying on government assistance.
Whilst our region, like most others, has an increasing share of social problems, I am inspired by the efforts and support that is provided by so many community based not-for-profit organisations.
I am very proud to have been a member of the Shepparton community for the last 73 years and to have spent the whole of my business life in Shepparton and I am filled with confidence for it and the region’s future.
