Home » Boost the local economy this Christmas

Boost the local economy this Christmas

Christmas shopping in Orange just became a lot easier with the launch of the new Shop Orange gift-card, an initiative of Orange City Council.

The cards can be used at over 30 participating businesses and buyers can choose the amount to be loaded onto the card.

Council’s Employment and Economic Development Committee chair, Councillor Jeff Whitton, is expecting the new scheme to be a major shot-in-the-arm for local businesses.

“The retail sector in Orange has a fantastic range of shopping options, and these gift-cards will make it even simpler to spend money in Orange.

“Every time money is spent in a local store, some of that cash goes back into staff wages and local business owners. Some of that money is then spent locally again.”

Country Rose business owner Sheryl Lewis is pleased to be a part of the new scheme.

“Often the work involved in setting up a gift-card system in the past has limited them to chain stores. Now all the work has been done and provided at no charge by the Council.

“Because the gift card will work through our store’s EFTPOS system, the monthly statistics that are generated will also deliver more information that will let me run my business better.”

Digital Editions


  • Stretching for a good cause

    Stretching for a good cause

    Ballarat residents stretched, smiled and snuggled their way through a unique Kitten Yoga event that combined relaxation with a heartwarming cause – helping kittens find…

More News

  • Kylie Davies beats strong field

    Kylie Davies beats strong field

    Flinders Shire Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Kylie Davies as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ms Davies will start in the role on 13 April following a…

  • Leaving on a high

    Leaving on a high

    Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer Darren Fuzzard will end his tenure at the council in July 2026, marking ten years of service to the organisation and community. Mr…

  • Safety first for transport corridor

    Safety first for transport corridor

    Traversing a major Townsville transit corridor spanning three suburbs will soon be safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with Townsville City Council commencing a $3.8 million upgrade of Hugh and…

  • Creating long-term employment pathways

    Creating long-term employment pathways

    The Shire of Carnarvon is creating long-term employment pathways and strengthening workforce capability through its participation in the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program, a national initiative designed to…

  • Cool summer plan for Campbelltown

    Cool summer plan for Campbelltown

    Extreme heat is the biggest killer of natural disasters in Australia, exceeding that for any other environmental disaster combined, including floods, storms, bushfires and cyclones. While high temperatures pose risks…

  • Bathurst has it’s scrap together

    Bathurst has it’s scrap together

    Bathurst Regional Council has successfully concluded its ‘Let’s Get Our Scrap Together’ campaign, launched on 1 September 2025 with funding from the NSW Government and delivered in collaboration with NetWaste…

  • Baw Baw acting CEO tenure extended

    Baw Baw acting CEO tenure extended

    Baw Baw Shire Council has extended the contract of Acting Chief Executive Officer Sally Jones until 30 June 2026. The matter was considered as a confidential item in the late…

  • Farewell to a much-loved bridge

    Farewell to a much-loved bridge

    Narrabri Shire Council hosted a special community farewell event in mid-January, Brekkie on the Bridge, ahead of the upcoming demolition of the Violet Street Bridge. The event brought together community…

  • Toolkit provides resources for staff to live values

    Toolkit provides resources for staff to live values

    Organisational values are at the core of every workday and task and Bundaberg Regional Council has developed a practical tool kit to support its workforce and promote its values. The…

  • New system for Blacktown

    New system for Blacktown

    Blacktown City Council has launched DAISY, a new digital planning assistant designed to help residents better understand planning requirements and prepare residential development applications. DAISY, which stands for Development Application…