Bungendore makeover set to bring familiar sights to Monopoly game nights

A country town is set to get its own Monopoly board, customised with the properties and locations from its surrounds.

The Rotary Club is behind the Bungendore-themed version of the iconic game, with businesses, clubs, community organisations and other entities that are either based in or owned by Bungendore residents able to bid for a property or space in an online auction.

President Christine Allard said the campaign doubled as a fundraiser for the club.

“In order to do bigger projects, we need more money than we can raise in our small village – we’re only 5000 people,” she said.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to do huge fundraisers.”

Once the squares are sold, Australia-based distributor of custom Hasbro board games, Winning Moves, will produce the customised version.

The proceeds will be put towards the Rotary Club’s community projects, such as a history walk through the town, as well as a secret project still in the works.

“We believe those projects will bring people to Bungendore where they’ll spend a dollar or two and help the economy, as well,” she said.

“[The fundraiser] is our way of giving back to the community as a whole, but also to our supporters in the community.”

The spots will have a staggered release between 11 March and 5 April, while the customised ‘Community Chest’ and ‘Chance’ cards will be released on 8 April.

“Those cards are at a lower cost and will allow some of the smaller businesses and organisations to have a place on the board, as well,” Ms Allard said.

For those interested in picking up a Bungendore-themed board game, there will be a limited run.

“We won’t do another one of these and we’re only printing 1250,” she said.

“This is an exclusive game, but it gives participants an opportunity to showcase their business and show they’re a part of the community.”

Bungendore is not the first town or city to roll the dice on their own version of the famous board game.

Among the customised editions are the Wagga Wagga version, launched in 2022, and an Australian Community Relief Edition that featured Canberra’s Belconnen, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay and the Federal Highway to raise money for regional communities affected by bushfires, floods and COVID-19.

Across the border in the ACT, a Canberra version will launch on 20 March at the National Museum, and is available for pre-order.

Closer to home, Ms Allard said Bungendore residents would need to wait to see who made it onto their version of the famous board game.

“We’re not going to reveal who’s on the board until it is launched,” she said.

“The people who have won a space will know, but everybody else won’t.”

The Bungendore-themed Monopoly game is planned to be released in November, with 1250 games to be produced.

Further information can be found by emailing [email protected].