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Find-a-gran idea works

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Elise Van AkenThe Kimberley Echo
Cooper, 2, and Taylor McGinnes, 9 months, live thousands of kilometres away from their grandparents.
Camera IconCooper, 2, and Taylor McGinnes, 9 months, live thousands of kilometres away from their grandparents.

A Kununurra mother who reached out to the community hoping to connect her children with surrogate grandparents has been overwhelmed by the response.

Amy Williams posted on the Kununurra Community Noticeboard Facebook page to find the perfect “granny or poppy” for her children, Cooper, 2, and Taylor McGinnes, nine months, pictured, who don’t spend much time with their biological grandparents.

Originally from Brisbane, Ms Williams has lived in Kununurra for nearly six years and her Perth-raised partner has been a resident for 18.

High-priced airfares and WA’s hard border have made it difficult for her children to connect with family.

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“There is a fair bit of distance between us and our families... COVID hasn’t made anything easier,” she said.

“Just seeing other kids with that sort of influence around them, other families that have that here. Some have already bonded with their own sort of Kimberley grandmas and I really liked the idea of it.”

She had so many responses, she has set up a Facebook group to help other parents who are interested.

Since writing the original post, Ms Williams created a new Facebook group called “Kununurra grab a granny - and poppy.”

She said she was exploring different avenues to bring families and potential grandparents together for a meet-up.

“After seeing all of those responses I feel a little bit greedy if I keep them all to myself and I think there are plenty of other people who could benefit in the community,” she said.

Kununurra Neighbourhood House operations coordinator John Vos said it was very supportive of the idea.

“It’s something we are keen to work with,” he said.

“Many people here are disconnected from extended family, and are keen to rebuild their social networks.

“At present KNH have some funding for an active seniors program, we would like to expand this to include an activity for seniors and children to have an intergenerational, fun based activity.”

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