Sunshine Coast Hinterland Community Fund

The Baroon Dollar Project is seeking Expressions of Interest from community members for the inaugural board of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Community Fund. More info?

Support grows for Baroon Dollar

The Baroon Dollar was definitely a hit at last weekends' Maleny Wood Expo (May 2-3 2009) thanks to our team of enthusiastic champions! New recruit Kathy Earsman (pictured left) drew in hundreds of the faithful to sign up as supporters and join the Baroon Dollar 1000 Club.
Consistently we received feedback on the importance of buying locally and supporting small independent businesses in our region. The Baroon Dollar hit a note for most people. They could instantly see how such a strategy could limit the onslaught of national chain stores to maintain the vitality of independent businesses and the character of regional and rural Australia.

Here are some comments from the weekend:

"We've just got to fight back. We've just got to reinvent our buying habits, use our money in smart ways. "

"I came to live in the Sunshine Coast because I love the friendliness of the place and its special charm. I don't want to live in a mega store. You're doing a great job."

"Well I never go off the range to do my shopping but the Baroon Dollar's a great idea because it'll focus others on buying locally and give Maleny a greater sense of pride."

"I'm not one of those people who are absolutely anti-chain, no matter what, but I’d like to see the big guys buying local produce and services. If they can't change then I suppose I'll have to vote with my wallet."

"It makes sense to me. Let's make a good news story about money!"

Baroon Dollar project co-ordinator, Darren Mitchell said: "We've got tough financial times ahead and with an Australian Federal Budget deficit of at least $60 billion until 2016 the economic doom and gloom will stay with us for some time. "
"So people should think local first when it comes to their purchases. It's just a good common sense approach, so that we keep local business for the future and keep jobs in our own community."

Supporting the Baroon Dollar means Thinking Local First and buying locally. You can help save your local economy from the chain stores and encourage independent local businesses to thrive.
The Baroon Dollar is a joint initiative of Sustainable Maleny and the Australian Institute for Community Currencies Inc, an NGO focused on regional economic development through local currencies.