EFFORTS are under way to revive a young professionals network in Warrnambool.
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Dentist Angie Paspaliaris said she had seen many of her young colleagues leave Warrnambool after only a few years because they had not found a social network.
“If they do not find a social network early on, they are happy to leave,” Dr Paspaliaris said.
Dr Paspaliaris said she had come to Warrnambool from Adelaide as a graduate dentist in 2008 with the intention of staying only a short time but had found the city to be a good place to live.
She eventually decided to invest in the city and buy the Wilde Dental Surgery.
If more young professionals could be encouraged to stay in Warrnambool, it would boost investment in the city and increase the professional services offered, she said.
“From my experience, the longer I stayed, the more job satisfaction I gained, the more I appreciated the sense of community and the more I realised Warrnambool provided me with a great work-life balance,” Dr Paspaliaris said.
She said there had been a young professionals network when she arrived in 2008 but it had wound up shortly after her arrival.
She said there was no intention to make the network an exclusive group.
“It would be for anyone who would like social interaction with people of a similar age and background,” Dr Paspaliaris said.
Another supporter of the proposal is optometrist Jayson Ward who said young professionals networks were common in many regional centres.
Mr Ward said he had tried to find one without success in Warrnambool soon after he moved to the city about 18 months ago.
Mr Ward, who has bought into McMahon and Owen Optometrists, said he had developed a social network through his involvement in sports but some people were not sports-inclined.
People interested in joining the network can register their interest at the Laneway Bar when it is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights this summer.
The Laneway Bar is adjacent to the Emperor’s House restaurant in Liebig Street.
If sufficient people show interest, regular get-togethers will be held at venues throughout Warrnambool.
Alternatively people can contact the network on Facebook via Young Professionals Warrnambool Group or email ypwarrnambool@gmail.com for further information.