By Jess Baker
Hundreds of Brisbane and Gold Coast dwellers are set to descend on the Southern Downs for a day of Christmas shopping and market fun, as part of an initiative to support regional businesses. Merry Muster founder and Brisbane woman Kristin Bonner organised the very first regional shopping day in late 2019, when ferocious bushfires were burning across Queensland and drought conditions in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt were particularly brutal.
“It was October and I was watching the news every night, feeling helpless,” Kristin said.
“So I put something up on my Facebook and asked if anyone wanted to go shopping in Dalby with me.”
An hour later, Kristin had 35 people interested in the excursion.
“I thought ‘I’ll have to get a minibus’,” she said.
Within 24 hours, Kristin had more than 50 attendees, a name and a coach. So began the Merry Muster.
“57 of us travelled to Dalby and Bell and together we injected $17,500 into the region in one day.”
This Saturday, 350 members of the Merry Muster group will arrive in Warwick, ready to spend their Christmas shopping dollars. It is expected the group will spend a few hours shopping Warwick’s main streets and Christmas Markets, then travel in a convoy of seven buses to Ballandean for lunch, and Stanthorpe for some more shopping.
If this year’s per person spending is similar to last year’s expenditures at $300 per person, the Southern Downs region could potentially see an influx of more than $100,000.
“The guests are so excited and thrilled to be able to come out and help contribute to livelihoods,” Kristin said.
“They’re excited to spend their money where it matters.”
Kristin said she believes the initiative has particularly resonated with people in the wake of Covid-19 as everyone has a deeper understanding of “the power of their money”. A percentage of ticket costs will also be donated to local charities Granite Belt Water Relief and the Warwick Community Van, while some goods will be donated to charities Share the Dignity, Wildlife Rescue and the Warwick Community Van.
Having grown up in central Victoria, Kristin is familiar with the devastation of drought. She said the Merry Muster group is comprised of people who grew up in the country like she did and people who passionately believe in helping their country friends.
“Choosing Warwick and Stanthorpe as our destinations was a no-brainer,” she said.
“The towns are well-deserving, they have a lot to offer and I can make it happen.”
Stanthorpe’s Christmas Market Day has been moved to coincide with the Merry Muster, and Kristin has spoken with the Warwick Potters Place Gallery and Artspace about hosting a craft market the same day.
A Southern Downs Regional Council spokesperson said the local community embraces the initiative to ensure all visitors have a great experience so they will return and bring friends.
“Not only has our region had to deal with Covid-19 issues, but also continuing drought and bushfire recovery, so the community, businesses and local tourism operators appreciate the support of visitors and locals,” the spokesperson said.
“It will be great to see cheerful faces enjoying our rural streets with boutique shopping opportunities that will surprise them and encourage them to return.”
The spokesperson said more than 50 vendors have registered to showcase their wares at the Stanthorpe markets, and the range of stalls “will include a selection of local artisans and producers putting forward the region’s finest craft, cooking, food, preserves, jewellery, soaps, award winning wines and fresh produce, to name but a few.”
Council assures Covid-19 regulations for the event are being taken very seriously, and social distancing spacing between stalls will be implemented so that people can easily maintain the required 1.5 metres.
The Merry Muster Itinerary, this Saturday 5 December…
9:00am – All buses arrive at Warwick
9:00am to 12:00pm – Shopping Warwick Main Streets & Christmas Markets
12:00pm to 1:00pm – Bus from Warwick to Ballandean
1:00pm to 2:30pm – Lunch at Ballandean Estate Winery
2.30pm to 3:00pm – Bus from Ballandean to Stanthorpe
3:00pm to 5:00pm – Shopping Stanthorpe Boutique Christmas Shopping Day
5:00pm – Depart Stanthorpe for home
