The Wirib Community Store in Timber Creek is owned by Gunamu Aboriginal Corporation and managed by AIG since 2019. Timber Creek is a popular tourist spot because it sits on the Victoria Highway; the road that connects the NT and WA, is at the entrance to the Gregory National Park, and close to wildly popular fishing spots on the Victoria River.
Tourists are great for business and the store owners and managers welcome the tourist dollars during peak times, and charge tourist prices to capitalise on the people wanting to restock before heading on their travels.
Prioritising local’s food security
The downside to being in a tourist hot spot is that prices can be too high for the locals to afford, which is why the Wirib Locals Discount card has been introduced. “Food security is the top priority of Wirib’s store management model, and the store owners were very clear a dual pricing structure was needed. We wanted to create a system so Gumanu Aboriginal Corporation can make money from their asset, but at the same time protect the food security of people who live in and around Timber Creek” said AIG CEO Liz Morgan-Brett.
Discount card eligible for all locals
The ongoing scheme was introduced in March this year and all locals are eligible. If you’re a local, you get 10% of all items with a green shelf ticket throughout the store. Locals are given a card with a barcode which is scanned at the checkout and since it was introduced, over $2451 have been saved by locals.
Stores have amazing potential for good
Unsurprisingly the card has been really popular and as a store management group, AIG is keen to work with the store owners to find ways, such as this discount card to best serve community locals.
Community stores have a powerful role to play in protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of the whole community. Through savings made at the till, a store can make a real impact on the health of the community because when people have more money in their pockets, they have more to spend on other things they need.
