2025 Christmas Shop Local Wrap Up
$1.7 million spent locally!
Gilgandra Region's annual 2025 Shop Local Christmas initiative has once again delivered impressive results, highlighting the strong community support for local businesses during the busy lead-up to Christmas.
Now in its 17th year, the 2025 Shop Local campaign recorded than 20,000 entries, contributing an estimated $1.7 million in local spending across the Gilgandra Region.
The initiative was developed in consultation with Council's Economic Development Committee as part of the Grow Gilgandra program, with the aim of promoting local spending, and supporting the sustainability of local businesses during the festive season.
Economic Development Committee, Chair and Deputy Mayor, Cr Nick White praised the community for their engagement and highlighted the year-on-year growth as a positive sign for Gilgandra Region's economy.
"For well over a decade, Shop Local has been an important part of how we support our local economy during the busiest retail times of the year. The ongoing success of the Shop Local initiative shows how much this program means to our community and local businesses."
Over the course of the Christmas Shop Local campaign, 8 community winners and 4 business winners were rewarded with a Cooee Cash cards, ensuring prize money was reinvested back into the local economy.
Cr Nick White also acknowledged the strong engagement of local businesses and welcomed the positive outcomes delivered through the program.
"Council is proud to deliver initiatives that support local businesses and strengthen our regional economy. The success of Shop Local reflects the strong collaboration between Council, businesses and the broader community."
In addition to increased spending, the initiative provides valuable opportunities for local retailers, service providers and hospitality businesses to showcase the breadth of products and services available locally, including at the annual A Christmas Wonderland community event.
Council's Marketing & Communications Manager, Merscia McLean, says,
"We thank the community and family for bearing the heat at last years A Christmas Wonderland community event to support our local businesses. It was lovely to see so many people and families come together to celebrate the Christmas spirit and enjoy each other's company, 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."
A Christmas Wonderland community event provides the opportunity for local businesses and stalls to showcase their products, and for shoppers to grab their last-minute gift just in time for Christmas.
Director of Growth & Liveability, Mr Neil Alchin thanked everyone who helped bring A Christmas Wonderland to life.
"The event was made possible through the collective efforts of many local businesses and community groups, and Council sincerely thanks everyone who contributed to its success."
Thank you to everyone involved on the night, including:
- NSW SES Gilgandra Unit
- CWA of NSW: Gilgandra Evening Branch & all the wonderful stallholders
- Our late-night businesses!
- BADJA
- Gilgandra Lions Club
- Dippin Dots & Kaths Soft Serve
- Veronica Hannelly Facepainting
- Gilgandra Toyota
- Community Bank Gilgandra & District
- Carlo's Supa IGA Plus Liquor Gilgandra
- Abby Tate for capturing it all!
- All our local food vendors!
And all you #LocalLegends that came and supported all of the above!
Council will continue to deliver programs that encourage local spending and support business growth as part of its ongoing commitment to a strong and sustainable regional economy, and thanks everybody for their support in the 2025 Shop Local initiative.
