John Calabro

One of Gippslandia's co-founders, John also pens, designs and shoots pieces.

I run The View From Here, a creative design agency specialising in branding and customer experience. From our space in Traralgon, we service clients right across Australia. I’m a firm believer that good design is good business.

I’m also co-founder of Gippslandia and a partner at The Borough Dept. Store, Korumburra.

Gippslandia: What do you love about being based in Gippsland?

Running a business in Traralgon has been incredibly rewarding, not just professionally, but for the lifestyle it affords. As much as I loved living in Melbourne, I lost two hours a day in commute – I now get to spend that time with my four young kids. On the weekends, we’re pretty much 15 minutes away from bush scrub in any direction and the diversity of country air and Traralgon’s regional urbanity is a super nice mix.

Why do you support Gippslandia?

Well, as a co-founder, it’s my baby! But more prophetically, Gippsland needs a wide-reaching, unified voice for peak creativity, optimism and progressive thinking.

What is your favourite piece that you’ve worked on for Gippslandia?

Travelling to Chennai, India with the Traralgon-based founders of Madras Brothers was pretty hard to top, but my interview in issue 10 with my kids might actually take the cake – every time I read it, something new just cracks me up.

What does a successful and supportive community look like to you?

Lots of conversations, lots of networking, lots of new and exciting projects bubbling away from right across the six councils of Gippsland. Prospective eyes looking this way from afar. I’m proud to say I feel like this is actually the emerging situation, and I’ve definitely noticed a steady increase since I moved back in 2010.

Share with us your hot tip, how can visitors have the best time in our region?

Settle in. Stay. Explore. Meet some people. Get some tips and take a drive. And of course, keep an eye out for the latest copy of Gippslandia!