Australia’s current bushfire crisis has been receiving more and more international coverage in the last month.
Awareness is being spread by media, celebrities, and the bushfire smoke itself travelling across the seas (reported by NASA to have reached Chile already). And just like we’ve reported about our local industry, the international drinks industry is also pulling together to support the bushfire relief and recovery effort.
In the United Kingdom, several businesses were doing their bit to help.
An auction of Australian wines, led by co-founder of Quality Wines London Gus Gluck, raised over 30,000 pounds for the Red Cross and WIRES. Fuelled by donations from some of the big names in the UK wine scene, the auction featured a Wendouree Malbec 1992, Henschke Hill of Grace 2013 and a Penfolds Grange 1961.
After the auction, Gluck wrote on Instagram: “Much love all. Your proved community is communal, we share in the bad bits & we share in the good bits. This was a very very very good bit.”
Elsewhere in the UK, several businesses have been donating a portion of the profits from Australian wines and pouring Vinteloper, who lost 95 per cent of its vineyard just before Christmas. There are also several fundraising dinners and events being held throughout January.
Australian non-alcoholic spirits company Lyre’s has also teamed up with UK chef Jason Atherton to create a selection of mocktails to be available at six venues, with one pound from each donated to WIRES.
Venues in the US that serve Australian food and drinks are also getting on board by donating their tips and hosting fundraising events. Two Hands venues in New York City played host to some events in collaboration with other businesses, with one event already raising US$24,000 alone.
Closer to home, earlier this month Botanica Bar in Bali hosted a ‘Bunnings’ sausage sizzle, selling sausages and Bintang beer with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross Fire Relief Fund. Run by the Australian managers of the bar, the event raised over 11 million Indonesian Rupiah.
In New Zealand, some venues have held fundraisers with special menus and entertainment. The Birdcage Tavern hosted a Beer for Bushfire Relief fundraiser last weekend, donating fifty percent of proceeds from a special menu (featuring Aussie gins). Soul Bar and Bistro in Auckland raised almost NZ$38,000 through their event, which saw champagne, a three course lunch and a silent auction.
It’s great to see the industry around the world pull together to help those who are suffering in Australia during this bushfire crisis. No matter how big the gesture, or where it comes from, every effort and every dollar helps.
If you’re looking for ways to help on home soil, see the articles below: