Queensland’s newest drinks brand set to help turbocharge Great Barrier Reef coral regeneration

7 Sept 2021 | Press release

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Reeftip Drinks Co. launches with commitment to donate 10 per cent of profits to Coral Nurture Program

A world-first science and tourism partnership to support the growth of new corals in the Great Barrier Reef, is being given a financial helping hand by Diageo Australia, the drinks producer behind Bundaberg Rum, through the launch of its new drinks brand Reeftip Drinks Co.

Reeftip, which is launching with a spiced rum premix range featuring hints of Australian inspired local flavours and a spiced rum spirit in October, is donating 10 per cent of its profits to the Coral Nurture Program whose aim is to build the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef and boost coral abundance along tourism sites through innovative scientific methods of coral propagation and planting where it’s needed most.

More and more consumers are looking to brands to do more for environment and Reeftip answers that call from its inception with its support of the Coral Nurture Program.

Reeftip’s financial support will enable the Coral Nurture Program to significantly accelerate its coral regeneration work at Great Barrier Reef sites where coral needs to be boosted and maintained and support the scientific research that underpins field work on the reef.

The Coral Nurture Program’s regeneration efforts harness tourism’s vast collective infrastructure and use new Australian coral clip technology to grow and maintain new corals in high value sites across the Reef.

Angus McPherson, Managing Director of Diageo Australia, said: “Australians are getting right behind the local spirits industry and that’s why I’m so excited to launch Reeftip, Australia’s newest spirits brand, a product that not only tastes good, but does good.

“Consumers around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the environment they live in, and they’re passionate about brands that give back and make a positive contribution. That’s what Reeftip is about - it’s helping scientists and those who live and work on the reef build its long-term resilience,” Mr McPherson said.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem on our doorstep, and we all want to see it preserved.”

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Professor and Coral Nurture Program co-founder, David Suggett, says building environmental resilience requires community action.

“It’s not just scientists that can be part of positive change. With the support of Reeftip Drinks Co, we’ll be able to help more people play a part in securing a better future for Australia’s reefs.”

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of environmental change. The Coral Nurture Program has shown us that if we work together and create communities committed to action, we can bring about real and lasting change – including a more sustainable experience of the reef,” said Professor Suggett.

Katherine Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Bundaberg Region Tourism said: “The launch of Reeftip Drinks Co is exciting. Nothing says summer like kicking back with a cold drink, with quintessential Queensland flavours. With 10 per cent of profits going towards supporting the Great Barrier Reef, we love that kicking back also means contributing to the preservation of our greatest natural asset.

“It’s truly wonderful to see an Australian brand like Reeftip Drinks Co. take steps to help preserve and regenerate the Great Barrier Reef and empower action in consumers to both contribute to the great work of the Coral Nurture Program and learn more about coral reef health.”