These businesses deliver a huge amount for the community but in the shadow of online shopping this can often go unnoticed and undervalued.
Mainstreet Australia has launched a national campaign, creating an annual week aimed at showcasing and celebrating the crucial role that main streets and town centres provide to our communities in connecting them, providing local facilities accessible to all and to the Australian economy.
One of those businesses is Bennett’s Sports on Allan St, which provides a lot for the town of Kyabram.
The business sponsors many local clubs and gives out awards.
Suzie Bennett from Bennett’s Sports says the business does a lot to support local sporting clubs.
“We support many of the local clubs around, which we are always happy to do,” she said.
Ms Bennett says it is important for people to support the small businesses that provide jobs for locals.
“It provides jobs for many people who live here and helps keep the town alive,” she said.
She says being situated on the main street provides great access for customers, having a front and back entrance to the car park.
“People are welcome to walk through, we encourage that even if they aren’t purchasing anything,” she said.
Ms Bennett does a lot for tennis in Kyabram, being a committee member of the Kyabram Lawn Tennis Club.