Senior Director, Opteon Property Group
2025 has been a landmark year for our business. Originally founded in 1973 by Peter Hann, we have taken the step of selling our enterprise to the international Opteon Property Group (who we have been affiliated with for 15 years). The moment has given me pause to reflect on the strength and diversity of the professional services sector in the Goulburn Valley.
Our business grew from a single operator to more than 50 staff, and our story is not unusual in this region. Consider the quality, diversity and size of the legal sector in Shepparton, as well as the accounting sector. Our city hosts some iconic regional firms who punch well above their weight dealing in complex matters for their clients. The base of these firms has often been built from small practices servicing the agricultural sector, then growing, and growing, and growing.
Additionally, Shepparton is home to several major civil and specialised engineering firms, and a suite of large insurance agencies and investment advisors. Often overlooked in regional development policy making, the professional services sector typically takes its own risks, doesn’t seek government support or intervention, and struggles or prospers according to the drive and insight of their founders and directors. Together with our strong banking and finance sector, these businesses provide great career pathways for many of our talented young people. Interestingly, whilst jobs in agriculture and retail in the Goulburn Valley are trending downwards over time, ‘professional, scientific and technical’ jobs continue to show a steady increase. ABS Labour Force Surveys reveal around 8,000 jobs in this sector in August 2023, and almost 11,000 jobs in August 2024. These numbers exclude administration roles, as well as info tech and media. Yes, agriculture is fundamental to the Goulburn Valley, as are the health, manufacturing and retail sectors. But let’s not forget to recognise and celebrate our quite incredible professional services sector as well!
