SHOPPING locally resulted in a cracker of a Christmas prize for two Mount Gambier residents.
Dee Westerman and Krystie Reid were drawn as this week’s lucky winners of the Bendigo Bank $8000 Christmas Cracker Giveaway.
Ms Westerman and Ms Reid shopped at Harvey Norman and Bakers Delight on James Street, respectively.
For their efforts, they have each won a $500 Mount Gambier and District Community Branch of Bendigo Bank account.
Ms Westerman said the competition was a great idea.
“I am all about shopping local,” she said.
“I am ecstatic I won as I do not win many things at all.
Ms Westerman bought a fridge from Harvey Norman while preparing for her new house being built.
“Unfortunately the house will not be ready for the Christmas season so I might have to wait until next year to fill my fridge up with festive food and drinks,” she said.
Harvey Norman home appliance specialist Jasmin Georgeson said it was great to see somebody who had shopped local being rewarded.
“The giveaway definitely encourages people to have a look in their area for Christmas presents,” she said.
“They are then able to have a bit of extra cash around Christmas if they are lucky winners.
“It also helps support our businesses and I hope the money which has been won is again then spent in the community.”
Ms Reid said she was a regularly shopper at Bakers Delight and visited the store up to three times a week.
“It was a surprising but great phone call,” she said.
“This is a fantastic competition which helps support the community.
“I always try to shop local and it is amazing to see the Bendigo Bank are generously giving the money away.”
Ms Reid said the money came at a great time heading towards Christmas.
“I am sure it will go somewhere very easily,” she said.
“You put an entry in but never think to be drawn out as there are so many others you can see who have entered.
“I have entered multiple times and I guess if you are shopping in the area, you may as well enter.”
The giveaway will run for the next five weeks with two winners being drawn weekly and four winners to be drawn on the last week.
All winners will receive a $500 bank account with the Bendigo Bank.
