For over three years, Parkes Shire Councillor George Pratt has been visiting residents at Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT to inform them of what is happening around the Parkes Shire and in council.
The Champion Post caught up with Cr Pratt during his November 27 visit with more than 20 residents in attendance.
Cr Pratt was joined by Southern Cross Care resident and former Parkes Shire deputy mayor Alan Somers who has only recently moved into the home.
Southern Cross Care Lifestyle Coordinator Maree Hando said his visits were like “a little informal council meeting” just for the residents.
“They all really love it and it was extra special for Alan, as he was a former deputy mayor of Parkes and it gave him the opportunity to reflect and identify with his past duties as a councillor for 12 years,” she said.
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Cr Pratt said his visits aimed to give residents the opportunity to make suggestions and voice concerns about what is happening in their local community.
"I try and visit Southern Cross every two to three months to keep residents in the loop of what's happening as I love doing this sort of thing," Cr Pratt said.
"I was an ambulance officer for 30 years and I got into it because I love looking after people and I still love doing that sort of thing."
The idea came about when Cr Pratt asked Maree if someone visits and talks to the residents to let them know what is happening in the town and to keep them involved.
When Maree's answer was no, Cr Pratt thought he would try it out and see how it goes.
Now three years later, Cr Pratt is not stopping any time soon as the crowd of residents keeps getting bigger and bigger each time he visits.
Cr Pratt informed residents about major projects happening around the shire and in each local village during the visit.
Residents also shared their thoughts with Cr Pratt about what they want to see in the town and how they have enjoyed visiting the splash park at Kelly Reserve.
"It's just one of those things I like doing with the elderly people, to be somebody who likes to come and talk to them, I think they appreciate it a lot too and you get to know a few of them after a while," Cr Pratt added.
