Push to include new families to Maranoa

MARANOA Regional councillor Joh Hancock has shown her care and consideration for new residents to the Maranoa with two initiatives – adopt a new resident or family and adopt a senior.

The idea is to develop a pathway between new residents who may feel isolated and connecting them with existing residents and the town they live in.

In the February 24 council meeting in Roma, Cr Hancock said she had been thinking about the idea for some time and after receiving community feedback thought it would be helpful for those moving to town and existing residents who might feel lonely.

Council will call for expressions of interest to see who would be interested in getting involved in the initiative.

The agenda states information would be shared with the employer of the person who moves to town and whether they would be interested in getting involved, then they would be matched with a volunteer.

In the meeting, Cr Hancock noted the Roma community had an Adopt a Senior Initiative some years ago and it proved to be successful.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a little while and told about the Adopt a Senior Initiative many years ago and how successful that was … I just think then let’s give this a go so people can connect with others and can talk to someone in the community to get advice,” Cr Hancock said.

“This might fill a void … can be a win-win situation.”

Cr Wendy Taylor said it would be worthwhile to check in with those who have retired.

Cr Taylor said they could show the new residents where certain places were in town, such as parks for children or Woolworths or various services.

Cr Hancock moved the motion, Cr John Birkett seconded it and all councillors supported the initiatives.

“let’s give this a go so people can connect with others” CR JOH HANCOCK