EVERY small town has its collection of businesses that might or might not get on with their community counterparts.

Opening hours, signs on footpaths, product competition and footpath rubbish bins can become contentious issues; just ask any local Chamber of Commerce.

Barneys between traders erupt and, before you know it, towns that can ill-afford disunity are tearing themselves apart.

Not in Tocumwal in NSW.

A newcomer to the local shop scene reckons there are so many women running businesses and helping each other over hurdles in the Murray River town that she wants to spruik it as the place for Girls in Business.

Maybe there's potential for a numberplate slogan; perhaps something like "Tocumwal: the town where girls do business".

It's a neat idea and one that struck farmer and nurse Chrissie Tuck, when she invested a small inheritance in a new and second-hand bookshop-cum-coffee joint in the main street in May.

Now anyone knows that investing your hard-earned or even your not-so-hard-earned in a small town business has its risks, especially in dry times.

"It went off with a bang and dropped a bit as the season deteriorated," says Chrissie, 50.

But what she's noticed most in the shift from being on the farm to being a townie is the great camaraderie and support among the business fraternity and especially among the women in business.

She says at least 10 of the 24 businesses in the main street are solely owned and operated by women. (That's slightly higher than national statistics that show 32 per cent of small businesses are run by women.)

The women cover for each other.

Kate McPherson, a single mum and clothes maker (she recycles vintage textiles) and retailer, says she's often calling on Serena, the florist next door, to keep an eye on her clothing business while she ducks out to pick up the kids from school and so on. "I leave her with the keys," says Kate.

Like many towns, Tocumwal doesn't rain jobs, so it seems local women have created their own by setting up shop.

Tourists, drawn by the climate and the river, make that possible - in good years.

In crook years, well that's another story.

Yet this year, in this tourist town of about 2000 that is home to golfing clubs, retirees and young families - and a centre for surrounding farming families - the women reckon their support for each other is creating good vibes.

Despite - or perhaps because of - drought, the economic downturn and fuel prices, locals are supporting their local businesses rather than travelling out of town, Chrissie says.

"We decided to make an effort to stay bright and encourage each other and we want to share our story to promote our beautiful town and the people in it and show that, as the old saying goes, good things can come from adversity."

Does she have regrets about starting her business in her small town?

No way.

"For women who are thinking of establishing a new business, have courage and give it a go and seek out other women in business in your area and promote and support each other."

The last word on this goes to Lynne George, an antiques and tea house proprietor in Tocumwal for 21 years.

Her shop is open seven days a week. "Our businesses are not a real income," she says. "They're a way of life."

Happy new year!