When Tatura farmer Rhett Cope got a call from Greater Shepparton City Council telling him he’d won a $5000 travel voucher, he thought it was a scam.
Unbeknownst to Mr Cope, his wife had entered him in the Greater Shepparton Great Christmas campaign while on a spending spree at the Shepparton 4x4 Supacentre weeks earlier.
“We bought a toolbox and a paddleboard,” he said.
“It (the call) came out of nowhere.”
Mr Cope said as a local farmer, who made a point of shopping and supporting local, the initiative was great to see.
He thanked local businesses and community members involved, specifically Lyn McNaught Travel, which donated the voucher for the giveaway.
Mr Cope said it had been a busy period with work, so had no idea where he’d be travelling.
“Haven’t given it a thought,” Mr Cope said.
“I’ve got a busy month ahead and then hopefully should have some time to plan it out.”
Mr Cope was the lucky winner out of more than 5000 entrants, with more than 80 local businesses participating in the giveaway.
Lyn McNaught said she was grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that supported her business.
“Without the community, there would be no business and when people support you it’s a two-way street,” she said.
“It was a very good promotion, and it’s been great to be involved in.”