Early Christmas present for Aaron Gillies after shopping at Faber’s

Christmas has arrived early for Aaron Gillies, of Narrabri, after he claimed first prize in The Courier and Wee Waa News 2025 Shop Local Collective Christmas promotion.

Mr Gillies, who made his winning purchase at Faber’s Weld n Tools, received a $3000 gift card to spend with participating outlets.

The winning purchase was also met with excitement from Faber’s Weld n Tools, a long-standing supporter of The Courier and its annual Christmas promotion. It marked the first time Faber’s had sold the winning ticket during its many years of taking part in the local shopping campaign.

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 with new partners including Wilderluxe Lake Keepit and Why Leave Town.

This year, The Courier’s Christmas shopping promotion saw 17 local, shire businesses participating and almost 80,000 tickets, representing more than $1 million in purchases at local stores, going into the barrel.

“The Courier’s annual Christmas shopping promotion is a win-win for participating businesses, their customers who support them by shopping locally, and for the community,” said The Courier’s editor Dylan Smith.

“Thanks to all the participating businesses and the thousands of shoppers who made the choice to shop locally and support our shire businesses.

The Courier continues to encourage people to shop locally all year, not just at Christmas.

The draw of promotion prize winners was again a feature of the chamber’s street carnival, however, was brought forward due to the wet weather.

Tickets were drawn from the barrel to be scrutinised for eligibility by Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart.

Second prize, two nights for two people at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit was won by Megan Fernance. Her purchase was made at Your Photos Framed.

Third prize, a $1000 gift card was won by Kristy Schwager for her purchase at C&D Electronics.

Fourth and fifth prize, a gift card of $500 each, was won by Ros Woolford (purchased at Narrabri Pharmacy) and Monique Foster (purchased at Barrakets).

Sixth to tenth prize, a gift card of $200 each was won by Donna John (purchased at Bi-Rite), Michelle Ballangarry (purchased at C&D Electronics), Ty Currie (purchased at Bi-Rite), Anna Ross (purchased at Toyworld Narrabri), and Violet Dawson (purchased at Longies SportsPower).

The combined value of all prizes is $8000.

The Courier and Wee Waa News thanked the 17 businesses that participated in the Christmas promotion and customers who supported those businesses.

This year’s participating businesses were Barrakets, Bi-Rite Home Appliances, Bottle-O, C&D Electronics, Cellarbrations, CL Dickinson Auto Electrics, Faber’s Weld n Tools, Logan’s Furniture, Longies SportsPower, Namoi Hotel, Narrabri Pharmacy, Paradise Fresh, Richards Metaland, Toyworld Narrabri, Watson’s Kitchen, Wilga Hotel and Your Photos Framed.

Leah Lash with sixth prize winners Dona John and Bijo Joseph (Bi-Rite).

Leah Lash, left, and Tash Mackenzie, right, representing C&D Electronics, congratulate Kristy Schwager who won third prize.

Leah Lash, left, and Mel Robinson, right, representing C&D Electronics, congratulate Benjamin Ballangarry who accepted seventh prize for Michelle Ballangarry.

Leah Lash congratulates fourth prize winner Ros Woolford (Narrabri Pharmacy).