It was once a purely religious celebration but for many Christmas is now more about the ritual of presents and tables groaning with hams, chooks, desserts, fruit platters and drinks.
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Inevitably that means spending money and City of Greater Bendigo mayor Margaret O’Rourke is calling on Bendigonians to spend locally.
“It’s hugely important – for many traders Christmas is their busiest period of the year,” she said. “And it not only benefits our local traders but has flow-on effects to the wider community.”
Among those expecting a pre-Christmas bonanza are fruit and vegetable wholesalers Les and Sandy Dixon.
“It’s rush, rush, rush – you do four days’ trading in a day,” Mr Dixon said. “But then you have some time off, so it evens out in the end.”
The Dixons took over The Cabbage Patch in Kangaroo Flat 14 months ago and have expanded the family-business with a new store in the high-growth area of Epsom.
“Epsom and Huntly are just a huge-growth corridor and now there are businesses popping-up everywhere,” Mr Dixon said.
Joseph Hinchliffe
Council and environment reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Council and environment reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser.
