Community
31 October, 2025
Give the gift of local
MORE than 140 businesses have jumped on board a Warrnambool City Council initiative to help keep money in the local economy.
The Warrnambool Gift Card launched last Monday, October 27, and is already proving a winner among businesses and shoppers.
Councillor and local business owner Debbie Arnott said that the card worked just like a debit card where you can tap, swipe or insert the card, with the benefit of keeping money in the Warrnambool community.
“The beauty of this gift card is that it is so flexible,” she said.
“Anyone can purchase a gift card, which can then be spent at any participating locally owned and operated business in Warrnambool.
“We’ve got over 140 businesses signed up already, and new businesses can still get involved.
“Whoever receives the card is going to have the opportunity to spend it at many businesses throughout Warrnambool, including retail, hospitality, and even services and trades.
“By keeping that spend in Warrnambool, it encourages more jobs, more economic development and we’re looking after our local businesses.
“So as we approach the Christmas season, whether it’s a business looking to purchase gifts for staff or clients, or anyone who wants to give the gift of local, the Warrnambool Gift card is the perfect choice.”
Williams Glass and Doors quotation officer Heidi Benz said that it was free for businesses to sign up, and the process was very easy.
“I immediately signed up and thought this could be great... and I really hope Warrnambool embraces it,” she said.
“We saw it as an opportunity to ensure that money is kept in the town.
“Coming into Christmas, if anyone knows that a family member is doing renovations on their house, they can buy them a gift card that goes towards it, so we saw that as a really great opportunity.”
Darriwill Farm Warrnambool owner Lisa Pitkethly agreed that the Warrnambool Gift Card was a terrific initiative for the business community.
“It’s always great to keep money in the town because it’s creating jobs,” she said.
Cards can be purchased at the Civic Centre at 25 Liebig Street or the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre at Flagstaff Hill.
Physical or digital gift cards can also be ordered online.
For full details, including how businesses can get involved, visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/warrnambool-gift-card
