Is the small West Wimmera town of Kaniva Australia's Most Optimistic Town?
The people of Kaniva think so! To prove it, they asked their townsfolk, "What makes you optimistic?" and will host a town optimism pub dinner on Wednesday. Future plans include working on ways to make that optimism even more infectious and the key resource for town growth.
It's been a rough time for the people of Kaniva: Border closures have a massive impact on their shops, lockdowns with no case of COVID within 2 hours drive, the town's last bank branch closing; the heritage railway station burnt down three years ago and not far away the EPA is dealing with an illegal chemical waste dump.
But there's an Australian spirit of relentless optimism to be tapped for the future, for innovation, opportunity and growth. New entrepreneurs in the pub, motel, café and more. Silo art. The brilliant and innovative sheep trail! With the service station about to close, the community bought it and runs the best little servo in Australia.
Given optimism is the key to growth, innovation and 2020's leadership, the century-old Kaniva and District Progress Association joined with Australia's Centre for Optimism to ask the people, "What make you Optimistic?"
They asked that question "What makes you Optimistic?" door-knocking; during morning teas in cafes, in the pub and at the men's shed! Then, finally, they asked it on the street.
The results are invigorating with inspiring videos and quotes from people in the 90s to 9-year-olds. See the results https://www.centreforoptimism.com/What-makes-you-Optimistic-Survey-kaniva-2021/
