Dubbo Regional Council is working with Brennan’s Mitre 10, Dubbo Community Men’s Shed and the Westhaven Association to put smiles on faces in the CBD. Their under-construction decorations will feature at the launch of Dubbo Ignite program’s Smile! It’s Christmas campaign next month.

The decorations may draw more shoppers to the CBD where small businesses are on the mind of federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton. With Australians about to spend an estimated $50 billion, he is asking residents across Western NSW to “shop small in their local communities”.

“The coming month is when many local businesses take risks, make investments and employ more locals in the hope that the upswing in Christmas retail trade makes it possible,” he said. “From the many local stores which have unique gifts and must-haves for family, friends and loved ones to small businesses which sell the groceries necessary for the festive season, there is very little that our local small businesses don’t sell. “Christmas is a vital injection of cash and confidence into our community and a chance to help our small businesses employ more local, particularly young people, and keep that money flowing around our local economy.”

Dubbo Regional Council reports that Brennan’s Mitre 10 is providing the raw materials for the decorations and transporting them “at cost”.

“The raw materials will first go to the men’s shed where they will be shaped into the special Christmas creations by the woodwork team,” said Ignite program co-ordinator Nicola Chandler. “After the decorations have been shaped they will be sent to Westhaven where the crew there will paint and decorate them. “We expect the public will love this special addition to the Christmas celebrations in the CBD this year.” 

The official launch of Smile! It’s Christmas will be at 10.30am on  December 5. It will include the unveiling of the decorations, Christmas tree and special CBD flags.