Mrs Kooloos’ ticket was plucked from the barrel for the Golden Bunny Bonanza draw, making her the second weekly winner of this year’s promotion.
She said she was ‘‘shocked and surprised’’ to receive a call from the Pastoral Times letting her know she won a $100 Deni Gift Card.
‘‘I have been going in it for years and I never win it, but now I have which is quite exciting,’’ Mrs Kooloos said.
‘‘My ticket came from buying groceries at IGA, which is where I do my regular shopping.’’
It isn’t a surprise Mrs Kooloos supports shopping local, given she and her husband Harry have been food producers in the local area for 43 years.
The couple relocated to Deniliquin from their Mayrung farm three years ago.
‘‘When you are a producer of food you want people to buy your food, so you should do the same,’’ Mrs Kooloos said.
‘‘I think it is always important for communities to stick together and buy a much as you can locally.’’
And with Christmas coming up, Mrs Kooloos will be looking to spoil her family with presents sourced from Deniliquin stores.
‘‘There will be numerous things I need to get, and I have seven grandchildren, so naturally I will be giving them something,’’ she said.
‘‘So the gift card will go towards the festivities of the day.’’
Mrs Kooloos encouraged others to shop local, and ensure their tickets are in the draw.
‘‘I think it is great, and there are so many entries,’’ she said.
‘‘Every year you see the barrel chock-a-block full.’’
There are another three $100 Deni Gift Cards to be won, and drawn each Friday at 2pm.
Three larger prizes — a $3000 grand prize and other Deni Gift Cards valued at $1500 and $500 — will be drawn on December 23.
An entry ticket is earned for every $20 you spend at a participating business (see page 13), with up to 10 tickets in any one transaction.
The promotion is proudly supported by the Deniliquin Business Chamber, and platinum sponsors Central IGA, Central Cellarbrations and Josh’s Bakehouse, Deniliquin RSL Club, 2QN and Edge FM, and Intersport Bennetts.