$1.5 Million Spent Locally!
Published on 17 January 2023
For immediate release.
In its 14th year, Gilgandra Region’s Shop Local Program saw significant spending and business support in the lead up to Christmas, showcasing just how many ‘local legends’ there are in this community!
The 2022 Shop Local Christmas initiative was developed in consultation with the newly appointed Economic Development Committee as part of Grow Gilgandra program. Shop Local was once again backed by the community with close to 20,000 entries, which directly contributed to over $1.5M to the Gilgandra Region economy!
Mayor, Doug Batten says
“Shop Local is one of our biggest programs and year after year it gives residents and visitors more reason to spend in Gilgandra Region, supporting local businesses and showcasing the great range of products, services and gifts that can be easily accessed locally”.
Adding,
“This year there were eight community winners and four business winners of Cooee Cash cards over the course of the campaign; it is always wonderful to be able to reward the community for their efforts and have that money then reinvested back into the local economy. Once again we would like to thank Doug Clouten who helped with each draw, including Hayden Whiteman for assisting with the first draw, and Lucie Peart for being MC on the evening our Major Shop Local Draw at A Christmas Wonderland, including the final draw”
In 2022 there were two major draws be drawn on the evening of ‘A Christmas Wonderland’ community event, where you had to be there on the night to win.
Council’s Activation & Communications Manager, Kathryn Larkin says,
“It was lovely to see the main street filled with so many people and families at the Christmas Wonderland event. With so many stopping at local stalls, popping into shops for late night shopping, smiling kids enjoying activities, and enjoying the delicious bites to eat!”
This activation provided the opportunity for local businesses and stalls to showcase their products, and for shoppers to grab that last minute gift just in time for Christmas.
Adding,
“It was exciting to see the community plaza filled as the Major Shop Local Draw took place. The stand out of the day was arrival of the jolly fella in red handing out lollies and sleigh rides to all the children, much to their delight. A shout out to the Gilgandra Rural Fire Brigade for making his entrance a stand out and congratulations to This N That who took out the prize for our Local Business Window Display Competition!”
This year also saw the return of the ‘Local Legends’ and ‘Gilgandra Gift Guide’ promotion.
“We showcased local faces in the community and the great range of gifts, products and services available locally. The aim of these promotions was to further encourage community engagement and spending locally with the Shop Local Program, says Mrs Larkin
“The growth of the Shop Local Program, Local Legends and Gift Guide Promotion has been great to see! We look forward to the year ahead and all the upcoming events within the region.”
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Contact: Kathryn Larkin
Activation and Communications Manager
klarkin@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au
6817 8800