DRUM ROLL PLEASE: Argus passport promotion $2k winner announced

A Strathalbyn resident is celebrating a victory outside of the local golf course, this week winning a whopping $2000 cash prize for taking part in The Southern Argus’ Shop Local to Win Passport promotion.

Avid golfer, Jo Pickhaver, had the luck of draw and received the exciting news last Friday evening when Argus Editor Sara Gilligan gave her a call.

“I couldn’t believe it… I’m so unbelievably excited,” she said.

The new Shop Local to Win Passport promotion, presented by The Southern Argus, granted residents exclusive discounts to 23 local shops where their passport was stamped upon each redemption.

Five stamps qualified shoppers to be in the draw to win $2000.

Over the six-week period, Ms Pickhaver took advantage of offers at The Commercial Hotel, Maidment’s Meat Service, Mitre 10, The Robin Hood Hotel, Strathalbyn Newsagency, The Hive and Wistow Bakery & Cafe.

While Ms Pickhaver normally shops locally, she doesn’t often win competitions, but that streak has now turned in her favour.

“It was a good promotion, hopefully other people got on board and went to the shops locally,” she said.

“I could buy, locally, Christmas presents for friends, then fix my back veranda, and some will also go to holiday money.

“I want to thank The Argus for running it and the shops for getting on board.”

The Strathalbyn resident has been a loyal Argus reader for as long as she has lived in the region (38 years), and is a former teacher at Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek and Goolwa.

The Southern Argus manager, Darren Robinson, said the advertising team was delighted with the uptake of the inaugural Shop Local Passport promotion.

“We are extremely thankful to the local businesses that backed us in with our major shop local promotion,” he said.

“It was very rewarding for us to hear all of the positive feedback throughout the campaign.

“The Shop Local Passport allowed local businesses to offer a fantastic deal to reward customers for choosing to shop local.

“The offer was further sweetened with the prospect of winning $2000.

“The promotion worked so well; I’ve already received feedback suggesting the promotion will be even bigger next year.”