Southern Grampians Shire Council and the Hamilton Regional Business Association are proud to launch 'Ignite the Spirit of Christmas' to celebrate the festive season and encourage shopping local this Christmas.
This year, Southern Grampians residents who shop locally at participating businesses across the shire can enter via the QR code for a chance to win one of four $1,000 vouchers to be spent locally.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr David Robertson said the campaign heralds the start of what promises to be a busy festive period for our retail sector.
"The 'Ignite the Spirit of Christmas' promotion is aimed at strengthening Greater Hamilton as a premier shopping destination, increasing the retail spend in the region and continuing to build a Christmas tradition of Hamilton as a festive retail centre," Cr Robertson said.
"We will be announcing a winner each week in the lead up to Christmas, with four $1,000 vouchers to help make someone's festive season a little easier.
"Entries open today, Wednesday 23 November with the first winner being drawn on Friday 2 December. That night will kick off the festive season in Hamilton as we light the magnificent Christmas tree outside the Library, following the St Mary's Christmas parade," said Cr Robertson.
"Santa and his sleigh will be back this year in the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre forecourt where residents young and old will have the opportunity to visit and take a photo.
"Council will also make CBD parking free for the month of December to encourage more people to shop in town.
"Our Christmas decorations are being installed across the Shire over the next week and we are looking forward to sharing the Christmas spirit with our residents and visitors," concluded Cr Robertson.
Santa will be available for photos at the following dates/times:
• Friday 2 December 2022 (after the St Mary's Parade)
• Saturday 3 December 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
• Friday 9 December 2022, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
• Saturday 10 December 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
• Friday 16 December 2022, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
• Saturday 17 December 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
