JOHN Wray McCann wants to help stricken farming communities get back on their feet.
At 84, the Sunbury resident — who arrived in Australia from Ireland in his youth — credits a long and healthy life to Aussie-grown food.
Now he hopes to use social media to raise awareness of the Mallee’s struggling small towns and increase tourism to the region.
“I love this country more than most people and it breaks my heart to see little towns disappearing,” he said.
“I’ve been to every country town in Victoria and many times. I’m just an ordinary guy but I’ve been in this state since 1950.”
The former comedy writer wants to find a unique selling position for Victoria’s smallest towns to encourage motorists passing through to stop.
“People mostly travel from Melbourne to another town and then head back home again,” Mr McCann said.
“Mate, I can tell you about 100 different Victorian towns and they all have something of a romantic nature.
“Those little towns — Hopetoun, Sea Lake, Kerang, Mitiamo, all of them — I would give my services for free to help them.”
Mr McCann is looking for a sidekick to help him design a social media angle to further the cause.
“I am a farmer at heart. I worked on my parents’ farm in Ireland,” he said.
“What’s involved is storytelling and I need someone who can host a social media event.”
If you think you can help, contact Mr McCann on jmcwray@hotmail.com
