After a year of ups and downs, it’s no wonder everyone is looking forward to kicking back and relaxing with friends and family, especially now that government-enforced COVID-19 restrictions have started to ease. While Christmas might look a little different this year, there is still plenty to celebrate, and Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) is helping residents get into the silly season spirit with its Jingle Bucks competition, a new Christmas tree, more than 5 kilometres of fairy lights in Macquarie Street, and a stunning new Christmas lights display at the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre.
Residents may have noticed Christmas trees popping up in Wellington and Dubbo, along with some very bright lights on the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre (VIC), and in all 93 trees in the Dubbo CBD. These lights are a new addition and it’s hoped that the display will be used for many more years to come.
“The light on the Dubbo VIC is certainly not hard to miss! It’s nine metres long, and is a giant sign that says Merry Christmas,” said Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Councillor Ben Shields. “There will also be some other lights lining Macquarie Street, which make for very pretty photos and encourage night-time activation. These lights not only look amazing, but they have been created and installed by local suppliers.”
The CBD-based marketing and visual elements such as the lighting to promote activation have been an outcome of the Regional Economic Strategy implementation, which continues to kick some great gaols for the LGA. Although there are some changes to the usual Christmas activities like our traditional tree-lighting, there are still plenty of other COVIDSafe activities happening that also support local businesses and we are hearing lots of positive stories coming from our local business community.
“What’s even better is that some local school groups have also helped us out with updating our awesome Christmas displays, all handmade by the students at the Central West Leadership Academy,” said Councillor Shields.
In addition to the new lights around town, the community can also get involved in the new Jingle Bucks competition – a new initiative to get more people spending their money in Dubbo and Wellington CBDs.
“We have had a very positive response economically to the pandemic, but we don’t want to count our chickens before they hatch. I’m encouraging everyone to spend locally this year, and when you do, you can go in the draw for the Jingle Bucks competition to win a share of $5,000,” said Councillor Shields.
Every MyDubbo Region shopping card purchased from a load up store valued between $20 – $500 allows the purchaser an entry into the Jingle Bucks competition. For example, if you purchase a $500 MyDubbo region shopping card, you could be in with a chance to double your money to $1,000 – a nice little Christmas top-up. Redeemable in more than 150 local shops in the Dubbo Region, the MyDubbo Region shopping card is a great option to give the gift of choice to that hard-to-buy-for person, and keep local dollars in the economy.
“There are eight load-up stores in Dubbo and Wellington, which means that there are plenty of places to grab your cards. Go to dubbo.com.au for more information, and get in before the competition closes,” said Councillor Shields.
The Jingle Bucks competition is open until 20 December, 2020, and Terms & Conditions apply. Head to dubbo.com.au to find out more information.
Image caption: (L-R) Mayor of the Dubbo Region Councillor Ben Shields, student Eliza Shuster, student Ronan Narayan, Brad Petrie from Mitre10, Mandi Randell from Central West Leadership Academy, and Abe Damen from Kitchen and Renovations Concepts.
Source: DRC