In an effort to encourage people to shop locally, the popular Shop-n-Win campaign began November 1. People can afford themselves the opportunity to win one (or more) of the many prizes on offer during the party.

To participate in the competition, entrants must shop locally to the value of $50 and save their dockets. They then need to be attached to an entry form and placed in an envelope with the shopper's name before being placed into a box at participating stores. Most importantly people need to be at the Christmas party for the draw.

Festivities will begin at 6.30pm with the first draw of $250 to take place at 7pm, followed at half-hourly intervals by three more $250 draws. The major draw for $750 will take place at 9pm.

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Through the generosity of Regional Australia Bank and its Community Partnership Program, this year TAG is able to bear the cost of prize vouchers in an effort to relieve some of the hardship that has been inflicted on local businesses by the continuing drought. A big thank you to community members who nominated TAG as the recipient of the interest on their accounts. These additional funds will ensure that this is an event not to be missed.

This year's event will feature a host of fun activities from past years plus one or two new and innovative attractions. A barbecue and bar facilities will be operating and the perennial chocolate wheel will provide the opportunity to win hams, cash or an assortment of other prizes, while a well-worth-winning raffle prize will see some lucky winner take home a much sought-after trophy.

Children will be well catered for by a specialist group of game co-coordinators and of course, Santa Clause will be making a stop-over.

This annual event provides an opportunity for the community to get together and demonstrate the strength of unity in the face of adversity. Although recent rain has given us a reprieve, it has not ended the drought.