There’s no doubt the Junee Shire is a region with strong community spirit.
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With almost every weekend comes the announcement of a new fundraising effort, with residents getting behind concerts, utes and families in trouble to rally together for support and financial aid.
In many ways the involvement and willingness of residents to pitch in is really what makes Junee tick.
But there was something different about the Illabo Speedway’s recent fundraising efforts for the hospital.
The dinner, coordinated by Sabina Wunsch from the Junee Motor Inn and decorated by Jenna Pollard of REMAX was a typical collaborative effort.
But there was a twist.
Almost everyone who contributed to the $2,000 donation came from out-of-town.
By harnessing the pulling-power of a niche market and tapping into a national audience looking for somewhere to show their old cars, GasWorks has grown a community in two short years.
And the home of that community is this very shire, with people willing to travel hundreds of kilometres to be a part of it.
Close to 100 people, families, friends, new regular tourists, many of whom had never been to Junee before, were a shot in the arm for the shire’s economy over a big weekend.
Other success stories such as Monte Cristo and the Licorice and Chocolate Factory show just how willing people are to travel for things they can’t get at home.
Monte Cristo’s ball, again attended by multiple travellers who come down for the weekend annually, raised $1875 for Junee Can Assist.
No doubt about it, business is a hard game.
But time and time again in Junee it’s been proven that a good dose of quirk and owners who aren’t afraid to break moulds and try something different are rewarded with tourists arriving in droves.
The charitable commitment of all of these businesses to use their tourist draws not only for personal gain, but to support the town, should be applauded, and replicated.
With the upcoming Country Change Expo this weekend drawing new blood to the region and spruiking what Junee and surrounds have to offer, community groups and the many running shows and events should also consider how their events can reach an audience beyond the Riverina and put the place on the map.