JEREMY WANTS US TO TAKE A ‘ TREE CHANGE ‘

ONE of the Kiama Independent's former journalists has come back to town to encourage people to move out.

Jeremy Lasek, the first journalist cadet employed by Independent in 1979, is out to counter the sea changers and instead get them to move inland.

Jeremy now works for the Chief Minister's Department within the ACT government and is encouraging Kiama residents to move to Canberra.

He made his 'tree change' to progress his media career after 25 years living in the Illawarra and is now promoting the Live in Canberra program.

"I loved my time in the Illawarra and still regularly enjoy catching up with friends here. But I haven't looked back since making my 'tree change' to Canberra," he said.

After joining the Weston Group in 1979, Mr Lasek went onto become assistant news director at WIN Television in Wollongong and the move to Canberra was an offer too good to refuse where he became news director with WIN TV, Canberra.

But has no regrets about making the move from the sunny seaside village of Kiama to the chilly Canberra winters.

"I moved for an opportunity and absolutely loved Kiama after living here for two years.

"I still absolutely think it is one of the best places on earth.

"The move to Canberra was initially for experience for a couple of years but my wife and I quickly realised there is more to Canberra than you initially realise."

The Live in Canberra campaign is an initiative of the ACT government, aiming to promote the lifestyle advantages and range of highly paid jobs based in Canberra.

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the opportunity for Kiama residents was win-win.

"With the ACT's unemployment rate at just three per cent " one of the lowest in the nation " and the Illawarra experiencing some of Australia's highest unemployment figures, it makes perfect sense to target job seekers in the Illawarra region," he said.

Minister Stanhope's thoughts were echoed by Mr Lasek.

"Canberra is a strong, proud and vibrant community of 330,000 people " a community that enjoys all the benefits of the city, with none of the drawbacks.

"There are thousands of rewarding jobs available in Canberra for people with the right skills and hundreds of lifestyle reasons to make the move," he added.