A record 815 entries were received during the campaign, with shoppers having to spend $50 in a transaction at a participating local business to be eligible to enter the draw to win up to $750 in vouchers.

Based on the minimum spend of $50, that’s more than $40,000 spent in Trangie over the six weeks. But Mr Cayzer said many people spent $70 or $80, meaning the total was likely much higher.

“We were very chuffed with it,” Mr Cayzer said.

“The Shop and Win is important, it generates money for the town, but it also makes people think about shopping locally, because there’s an incentive … the money’s not leaving the town.

“It shows the strength of a town, when people are prepared to spend their money in the town and not just go out of town to shop.

“If businesses are strong in a small country town they can give back to the community more, they donate happily throughout the year.”

Shoppers had to attend the Trangie Action Group (TAG)’s annual Christmas party to win, with hundreds gathering at the Trangie Bowling Club for the chance to win one of four $250 vouchers, or the main $750 prize.

With plenty of fun activities for the kids and a visit from Santa, Mr Cayzer said the atmosphere was vibrant.

He said that fits with the general vibe around the town.

“There are a lot of new owners in town, new ideas,” Mr Cayzer said.

“People are feeling quite buoyed about shopping locally … the IGA is really well stocked, the 5-Star is really well stocked, the new lady in the newsagents she totally revamped the whole thing .., and you’ve got to give the council a pat on the back as well.

“Trangie is quite a vibrant little town. We’re pretty well crime-free, we’re pretty lucky as a town and we’ve got a new cultural centre so there’s a few things for people to do.

“And the Shop and Win showed us too that it was vibrant. We never thought we’d get 815 entries!”