Mr Perton stopped by the town for a coffee and a chat at Heartfelt Cafe on Wednesday, August 4, as part of the Kaniva and District Progress Association's COVID-19 recovery project.

The former parliamentarian has been working with the town's progress association to collate the stories of 'Australia's most optimistic town', after a chance stop off in Kaniva in 2020.

He called on people of all ages to submit videos of themselves describing why Kaniva is Australia's most optimistic town.

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Kaniva and District Progress Association chairman Charlie Ferrier said thanked everyone who submitted videos as part of the optimism campaign.

"I am extremely pleased with the level of optimism identified in this project. In a time where you cannot watch or listen to a news report without being bombarded with negativity and depressing numbers, it is great to see this feedback," he said.

"Pessimism spreads, if not kept in check, in a manner similar to the virus. Knowing our level of optimism is critically important. It is the cornerstone of the business and consumer confidence we will need in the recovery phase.

"The results so far show Kaniva is a resilient community and well placed to deal with whatever the future holds".

See some of the responses here:

A Kaniva Optimism event is planned for Wednesday, August 18 at the Commercial Hotel with Mr Perton and the Kaniva Progress Association.

The event was made possible though West Wimmera Shire Council's Social Connection grant program.

For more details on the optimism project, visit https://kaniva.info/optimism.html.

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