Shoppers and businesses the winners in Shop Local promotion

Local shoppers and businesses were the big winners from The Courier, Wee Waa News and North Western Guide’s ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ promotion.

The newspapers’ annual Christmas promotion, which sees millions of dollars spent at local participating businesses, was drawn and celebrated at the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas street carnival on Friday evening.

This year’s promotion was again sponsored by Santos and local community radio station 2MaxFM.

The chance purchase from Maitland Street retailer Longies Sportspower saw Margie Cruickshank, of Pilliga, claim first prize in the
promotion.

Margie wins $3000 to spend in participating stores.

Her name was drawn from the barrel by Santa Claus last Friday night in the finale of the 10-week shop local promotion. And because her winning purchase was made at Longies Sportspower, the business wins a free full-page advertisement.

This year, The Courier Christmas shopping promotion saw 27 local shire businesses participating and one hundred thousand tickets, representing millions of dollars in purchases at local stores, going into the barrel.

“The Christmas shopping promotion is a win-win for our participating businesses, their customers who support them by shopping locally, and for the community,” said The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet.

“Thanks to all the participating businesses and the thousands of shoppers who made the choice to shop locally and support our local businesses,” Mrs Dunnet said.

Margie Cruickshank, Pilliga, shopped in Narrabri at Sportspower to win the $3000 first prize in The Courier, Wee Waa News, North Western Guide’s ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ shopping promotion. The $3000 in shopping vouchers is to be spent at local participating stores. From left, congratulating Margie, The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne, Toyworld Narrabri manager Brent Longworth, Margie Cruickshank, Sportspower proprietor Tony Longworth and The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet. Margie Cruickshank, Pilliga, shopped in Narrabri at Sportspower to win the $3000 first prize in The Courier, Wee Waa News, North Western Guide’s ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ shopping promotion last year. From left, congratulating Margie, The Courier former advertising consultant Kylie Browne, Toyworld Narrabri manager Brent Longworth, Margie Cruickshank, Sportspower proprietor Tony Longworth and The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet.

Accepting her $750 in shopping vouchers, Anna with from left The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet, Watson’s Kitchen proprietors Michael Jackson and Merredith Jackson, Sid Woodin who won sixth prize and $250 in shopping vouchers to be spent at Watson’s Kitchen, Anna Dugdale, and The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne. Accepting her $750 in shopping vouchers, Anna with from left The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet, Watson’s Kitchen proprietors Michael Jackson and Merredith Jackson, Sid Woodin who won sixth prize and $250 in shopping vouchers to be spent at Watson’s Kitchen, Anna Dugdale, and The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne.

From left, The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne, Richards Metaland proprietor Jeff Richards, fifth prize winner in The Courier ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ promotion, Robyn Nielson, who wins $250 vouchers to be spent at Richards Metaland, second place getter Josh Brown, who wins $1500 in vouchers to be spent at participating businesses, Metalands team member Cody Wilson, The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet, Metalands’ Mary-Ann Sheridan and Ben Davis. Steve Tomlinson, who won fourth prize also bought his prize winning ticket at Richards Metaland From left, The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne, Richards Metaland proprietor Jeff Richards, fifth prize winner in The Courier ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ promotion, Robyn Nielson, who wins $250 vouchers to be spent at Richards Metaland, second place getter Josh Brown, who wins $1500 in vouchers to be spent at participating businesses, Metalands team member Cody Wilson, The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet, Metalands’ Mary-Ann Sheridan and Ben Davis. Steve Tomlinson, who won fourth prize also bought his prize winning ticket at Richards Metaland.

Eighth prize winner Robina Mowle, centre, is congratulated by The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet and The Courier office manager Sue Newton. Robina won $250 to be spent at BP Narrabri where she bought her winning ticket. Eighth prize winner Robina Mowle, centre, is congratulated by The Courier manager Wanda Dunnet and The Courier office manager Sue Newton. Robina won $250 to be spent at BP Narrabri where she bought her winning ticket.

Seventh prize winner Beau Williams with son Wyatt, CAMstart Amcal Pharmacy proprietor Catherine McDonald, The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Bowne and manager Wanda Dunnet. Beau won $250 to be spent at CAMstart. Seventh prize winner Beau Williams with son Wyatt, CAMstart Amcal Pharmacy proprietor Catherine McDonald, The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Bowne and manager Wanda Dunnet. Beau won $250 to be spent at CAMstart.

Steve Tomlinson (centre) was the winner of fourth prize. Steve bought his prize-winning ticket at Richards Metaland. He wins $250 in vouchers to be spent back at Richards Metaland. He is pictured with The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne and editor Dylan Smith. Steve Tomlinson (centre) was the winner of fourth prize. Steve bought his prize-winning ticket at Richards Metaland. He wins $250 in vouchers to be spent back at Richards Metaland. He is pictured with The Courier advertising consultant Kylie Browne and editor Dylan Smith.

The draw of promotion prize winners was a well-attended event at the Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce Christmas Street Carnival, with onlookers gathering around the Maitland Street pedestrian crossing to find out who the lucky winners were.

Santa Claus drew the tickets from the barrel to be scrutinised for eligibility by Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart.

Second prize, $1500 in shopping vouchers to be spent at local participating stores, was won by a shopper Josh Brown. His purchase was made at Richards Metaland.

And as the store which sold the second prize-winning product, Richards Metaland wins a half-page advertisement.

The third prize, $750 in shopping vouchers, went to Anna Dugdale for her purchase at Watson’s Kitchen, which won a quarter-page advertisement.

All winners from fourth to tenth places won $250 in shopping vouchers to be redeemed at the business where their purchase was made.

The Courier then reimburses the businesses for the winners’ purchases.

The Courier and Wee Waa News thanked the 27 businesses which participated in the ‘I’m dreaming of a local Christmas’ promotion and customers who supported those businesses.

The Courier also thanked Santos for its sponsorship and 2MAX FM for promoting the shop locally campaign on air.

The fourth to 10th prize winners are as follows:

Fourth prize, $250 in shopping vouchers to be spent at Richards Metaland went to Steve Tomlinson, fifth prize, $250, was won by Robyn Neilson (Richards Metaland), sixth, $250, Sid Woodin (Watson’s Kitchen), seventh prize, $250 was won by Beau Williams (CAMstart Amcal Pharmacy) eighth prize, $250, went to Robina Mowle (BP Narrabri), ninth prize of $250 went to Angela Bennett (Lisa Dee’s Boutique), and tenth prize, $250 was won by O’Shea Green (Toyworld/Sportspower).