Finding home in Shepparton
By Fiona Blick, Committee for Greater Shepparton
JIMMY chose his English name from one of his favourite fictional characters – James Bond.
He thought an English name would be easier for everyone to remember, and Jimmy sounded really fun!
“I love it when I hear Jimmy being called out, but I still hate Martini’s, shaken or stirred,” he said.
“Coming from China originally, we are called our surname first and then our given name second, which is quite formal.
“But Australian’s love a knick-name and mine is now Jimmy.”
Jimmy moved with his wife to Shepparton from Melbourne two years ago to work at the Shepparton Art Museum as a Design and Marketing Coordinator.
As this was a maternity leave position Jimmy was hoping to stay in Shepparton a bit longer.
“We realised early on that we love Shepparton and wanted to stay here, so the hunt was on getting a permanent role once my position at SAM finished up,” he said.
“Luckily a marketing role in the health industry popped up and was recommended to me by one of the connections I had made in Shepparton, I applied for it and I got it!”
Jimmy and his wife are renting in Shepparton while they save to be able to buy their first home.
“The Community Connector Program helped us with all sorts of issues,” he said.
“I was worried about having to mow a lawn, so Fiona the Community Connector Coordinator helped me find a small unit without any need to garden.
“She also helped source a removal truck so I could transport my beloved fridge from Melbourne to Shepparton.”
Jimmy has started volunteering at One FM 98.5 and is currently the presenter of the Mandarin Program; you can hear Jimmy every Monday night from 10pm.
“Shepparton is such a wonderful place, beautiful and dry with the sun shining,” Jimmy said.
“I have made so many friends and been given so many opportunities since I have arrived.
“I love this community and I am trying my best to contribute to it with hard how I work in my job and by volunteering.
“Who wouldn’t want to live here!?”
For more information on the Committee for Greater Shepparton Community Connector Program please phone Fiona Blick on 0499 351 441.
