Open for late night shopping

HUNDREDS of Monbulk residents got into the Christmas spirit on Friday for the town’s inaugural Christmas shopping night.
The night was planned to give traders a kick-start into the yuletide trade.
Organiser Karen Martin said everyone in town had experienced a tough year with the economic crisis and the Black Saturday fires.
“We wanted to put the night on for the local traders’ benefit,” she said.
Ms Martin said it was also a great chance to let locals know what’s on offer in Monbulk for Christmas.
She said the night was a fantastic success with plenty of people turning up to support their town from 5.45pm to 9pm.
“People had fun and it was very well supported – it was just a great night,” Ms Martin said.
But it wasn’t just about the shopping.
There was plenty to keep the crowd entertained with raffles, a cutest pet photograph competition and a short visit from one of Santa’s helpers.
Ms Martin is now already planning to do it all again next year.