‘IGNITE the Spirit of Christmas’ is back again with the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) and the Hamilton Regional Business Association launching the local shopping campaign last Wednesday.

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 $1000 vouchers to be spent locally.

SGSC mayor, 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,” he said.

“We will be announcing a winner each week in the lead up to Christmas, with four $1000 vouchers to help make someone’s festive season a little easier.”

Entries for the promotion opened last Wednesday and the first winner will be announced this Friday, which Cr Robertson said would mark the start of Hamilton’s Christmas celebrations.

“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,” he said.

“Santa and his sleigh will be back this year in the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) forecourt where residents young and old will have the opportunity to visit and take a photo.

“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.”

SGSC are also making parking within the CBD free for the month of December to encourage more people to shop in town, with the regular time limits still applying to the parking spots, as indicated by signage.

Santa will be available for photos at the HPAC forecourt at the following dates/times:

• Friday, December 2 (after the St Mary’s Parade)

• Saturday, December 3, 10am – 1pm

• Friday, December 9, 4 – 6pm

• Saturday, December 10, 10am – 1pm

• Friday, December 16, 4 – 6pm

• Saturday, December 17, 10am – 1pm

Residents and visitors can go into the draw to win the vouchers by purchasing from any local business within the Southern Grampians Shire and scanning a QR code in store or providing receipts at a collection box at the Brown Street Customer Service Centre.

For details about the ‘Ignite the Spirit of Christmas’ campaign, visit businessgreaterhamilton.com.au/buy-local-campaign-page