And our $10,000 winner is…Kathleen

A $10,000 WINNING SMILE… From left, Chemist Warehouse Riverside Plaza retail manager, Bianka Rosegas, 2019 GMCU $30,000 Giveaway $10,000 major prize draw winner, Kathleen Peatling from Shepparton and GMCU CEO, Melissa Ralph. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

Record entries a strong display of community commitment to local business

THERE was excitement and shock coming through the phone when we called 2019 GMCU $30,000 Giveaway’s $10,000 major prize winner, Kathleen Peatling from Shepparton.

Drawn from a record 105,986 entries, Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson pulled out Kathleen’s entry from the fruit bin at GMCU on Monday afternoon, after she had spent over $10 at Chemist Warehouse Riverside Plaza.

Kathleen answered the news that she had won the $5,000 GMCU debit card and $5,000 holiday voucher from Lyn McNaught Travel, explaining she was shocked and over the moon.

Kathleen said, “I filled in a lot of those forms and shopped a lot during the giveaway.

“I will most likely be looking at taking the holiday somewhere warm.

“I’ll definitely be having a glass of wine with my husband to celebrate.”

Leaning into the fruit bin to draw the major prize winner, John Anderson also drew out this year’s eight final consolation prize winners, each of whom has walked away with a $500 GMCU debit card.

The first drawn consolation prize winner was Angelo Soccio of Shepparton who spent over $10 at Big W. Angelo said, “This is great news. I will go through the participating businesses and see what we need the most, but it will probably be spent on something for the house.”

Our second drawn consolation prize winner was Dot Best of Shepparton who spent over $10 at Shepparton Bowls Shop. Dot said, “I’ve been entering the giveaway for a long time. This is wonderful news.”

Garry Newman of Corop was drawn as the lucky third consolation prize winner after spending over $10 at SPC Factory Sales. Garry said, “This is great mate. The best news I’ve had. Love you for life.”

Our fourth drawn consolation prize winner was Joan Macreadie from Shepparton who spent over $10 at Shop 221. Joan said, “How exciting. This is lovely.”

Cheryl Scott from Echuca was drawn as our fifth consolation prize winner after also spending over $10 at Shop 221. Cheryl said, “I only spent the money at Shop 221 this week. This is meant to be. I was picking up a dress for my brother’s wedding, and after shopping at Shop 221, I was looking at a camera and it cost $500.”

The sixth drawn consolation prize winner was Simon Waters from Shepparton who spent over $10 at T & M Batteries.

The seventh consolation prize draw winner was Karen Senior from Shepparton who spent over $10 at Fairleys SUPA IGA.

And our final, and eighth drawn consolation prize winner was Haydn Crosbie of Ardmona who spent over $10 at Mooroopna Hardware.

Following the consolation prizes, GMCU CEO, Melissa Ralph reached into a bin full of all the winning entries over the giveaway period, and drew the lucky entry with the staff member who signed a winning entry. Wayne Tomlin from Fantastic Furniture was drawn as the lucky staff prize winner and will walk away with a $1,000 GMCU debit card.

Wayne said, “This is perfect timing. I am moving and there are a few things that I need.”

GMCU CEO, Melissa Ralph said, “The GMCU loves that people support local businesses and seeing the record number of entries this year shows the community feels the same way.

“We are very proud to support the giveaway again this year and congratulate all of this year’s winners and the businesses for getting behind it.”

John Anderson said, “The GMCU $30,000 Giveaway is an exciting promotion and something that people look forward to every year.

“It is a generous giveaway run through the partnership of The Adviser and the GMCU and is great to see it generating so much in the shopping and local business community.

“Congratulations to the major prize winner, Kathleen and to all other winners this year.”

The Adviser managing director, Geoff Adams said, “This year has been amazing with the number of entries we have had. It shows the local community’s commitment to supporting our local businesses.

“The range of businesses who were not only a part of this year’s promotion but also had winners was also pleasing to see and is great to see this important local business promotion continues to grow.

The Adviser would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank all of those who entered.”

Read more about our fantastic final winners in next week’s edition of The Adviser.