FROM boutique businesses who rely on visitors as well as locals to shop and support them, to larger operations who are responsible for providing jobs for us and our children or grandchildren, it's never been more important than to 'shop or stay where you live'.

The Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre should be your first port of call when thinking of your next holiday or where you'd like to take your friends and family when they visit.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business is a not–for–profit membership–based association.

In late 2020, they started a member initiative of a 'Why Leave Town Gift Card'.

Members are entitled to register as a redemption store for free to take advantage of the program encouraging people to shop locally.

Members already participating include businesses in Yarrawonga and Rutherglen and range from tourism operators for accommodation, fishing charters, cruise boats and barby boats and bike hire to food, wine and providores, retail stores, tradespeople, accountants, lawyers, media, churches, community groups and more.

You don't just have to be a 'local' to purchase a gift card as the following story shows.

"We had a person from Bendigo ring recently who wanted to organise a gift card for a friend of who lived in Ballarat, who'd experienced some tragedy," Helen from the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre said.

"It was a significant amount that was to be sent as an anonymous gift from our office, with a note simply saying that someone who cared greatly had organised it.

"It was such a generous, trusting and encouraging experience for me," Helen said.

The variety of businesses who have signed on as members mean that it's not just accommodation, activities or food and beverages that you can share with family and friends – you can choose to give them a gift card for something they really need – like a new chainsaw or lawn mower, accessories for their motorbike or for repairs and services.

The benefit of using Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business as your local booking agent for travel and accommodation (which can be of any style of accommodation and anywhere in Australia) is that any commission earnt will stay locally and be reinvested into major local events that bring more visitors into town, which in turn equals spending in the stores you love.

The Information Centre is open 7 days a week and are proud sponsors of Lake Mulwala Rod Run, Yarrawonga Mulwala Kids Festival, EC Griffith Cup incorporating the Yarrawonga Fair and Country Festival of Tennis.

Phone (03) 5744 1989 or pop in and see the passionate and knowledgeable staff and volunteer Tourism Ambassadors at 2A Irvine Parade, Yarrawonga or go online to www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au and support your local towns and businesses.