David Hughes - Chairperson

Originally from the UK, Dave fell in love with a Bendigo girl (Eliza) while travelling and after a few years of living in Melbourne together, they relocated back to Bendigo to get married and start a family. That was back in January 2008 and the family is well under way! Working for local business JIMMY POSSUM (Eliza is the daughter of Director and Founder Margot Spalding) as a Learning and Development Leader, he is passionate about seeing people become all they can be. Being so far away from home and his own family, he enjoys working in the “family-in-law” business.

Dave loves many things about living in Bendigo. He loves the history, the architecture and the surrounding bushland. He loves that he can walk in to town from his home, and drive to anywhere in Bendigo within a matter of minutes. He loves the easy going and relaxed atmosphere of the city, and the variety of restaurants and bars that help him enjoy this. He loves the feeling of community.;

Allison Rose - Professional Development Portfolio

Allison moved to Bendigo in 2008 after living in London for 18 months. Being from Adelaide, and a city girl at heart, Allison found moving to Bendigo difficult at first. However, after joining the Young Professionals Network Committee she soon found her feet and is now enjoying the lifestyle Bendigo has to offer.
Allison's background is the travel industry, which was fuelled from her travelling experiences, having lived in Japan and London, and travelling extensively throughout Europe and Asia. She speaks and reads Japanese, but has little chance to use it in Bendigo. She ended up working in the Recruitment industry when she first moved to Bendigo and is now working for herself contracting out for the Skills for Growth program and also delivering training for businesses in various fields.
Aside from socialising with the Young Professionals in Bendigo, Allison enjoys Latin Dancing, drinking wine with friends and hanging out with her partner at home.

Sally Patten – Secretary and Treasurer

Sallycompleted her VCE at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, before completing a Bachelor of Business (Tourism & Hospitality), majoring in Event Management at La Trobe University. Shecommenced her professional career working as a Wedding Consultant on Hamilton Island during 2008/09, movingback to Bendigo in mid 2009. She now divides her time working with Continuing Education Bendigo and the Bendigo Business Council in an administrative and events based role.

Sallyenjoys getting involved with the social and event aspects of YPN and contributing back to the Bendigo community.

Sandy Hopfner - Social Portfolio

Sandy grew up on a vineyard in a small country town near Mildura. After completing her HSC she continued her studies and began a career as an Insurance Broker.

Sandy relocated to Bendigo with her two precious puppies Oscar and Russell in January 2009 and now works as an underwriter at QBE Insurance. When contemplating moving, Bendigo wasn't initially considered, but a suitable position arose maintaining her insurance background yet progressing into the Underwriting field. She has realised that she made the right decision and is thoroughly enjoying life in Bendigo, a regional city that maintains a cosmopolitan feel, particularly enjoying the variety of bars and restaurants. She has already made many friends, something that the YPN has contributed too.

Travel is something that Sandy has a passion for; in 2006 she lived on the Isle of Man, British Isles, working in a small Insurance Brokerage firm, and spent time travelling Europe. In 2008 she travelled USA for two months, one of the most memorable moments being when she saw Carrie Bradshaw (AKA Sarah Jessica Parker!!) at the premier of Sex and the City Movie in her favourite city, New York. In 2009 she visited Fiji and next on the wish list is Africa and Hawaii.

Sonja Gibbons - Marketing and Community Portfolios

Sonja Gibbons joined the YPN Committee at the start of 2010, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in the areas of marketing, event co-ordinating and community engagement. Since moving to Bendigo nearly 20 years ago, Sonja has witnessed first hand the strong commitment to Business and Community development that is so engrained in the people of Bendigo. Through her professional career and community endeavours, Sonja has developed a passion for seeing Bendigo live out its fullest potential. An integral part of Bendigo achieving this long term goal is though the procurement and retention of a vibrant young professional workforce, something close to the heart of YPN.

Briana Trimble

Briana Trimble is a born and bred Bendigo girl. Shewent through primary school at St Monica's and high school at Catholic College before workingin a pharmacy after completing high school. Growing up she was a keen gymnast at John Palmers Gym, and also played netball, something she still enjoys doing.Travel has been a big part of Briana's life to date having travelled overseas for 2 years, basing herself in London and Germany and recently spending7 months travelling around Australia (where her boyfriend became her fiancée!!), and considers herself very fortunate to have had the opportunity and wonderful experience. Briana has been a part of the Telstra team in Bendigo for 5 years, and specialises in Sponsorships, Consumer and Business Events, and Community engagement.

Erin Welsh

Erin relocated to Bendigo from Toronto, Canada when the opportunity came up for her and her husband to live abroad for a few years. An avid traveler who first caught the travel bug while backpacking through Thailand, she jumped at the opportunity. While they had to leave their Golden Retriever behind, moving to Bendigo has proved to be an enriching experience in the short time she has lived here. YPN has contributed to making Erin feel a part of the community as well as offered some great new friendships.  In the next two years that she will be in Bendigo she plans on seeing as much of Australia and its surroundings as possible. 

In Canada Erin spent the majority of her career as a banker, working at TD Bank in Credit Cards. Erin worked her way up from administrative roles to Corporate Event Planner, and finally found her stride in a role that combined product marketing and account management. When the Australia move came about Erin considered a career change and ended up working at local not-for-profit St. Luke's where she works on the Business Development team doing fundraising, events, trust and grant submissions.