Ballistic Whitsundays’ Reef beer to support turtle rescue efforts

In a uniquely Queensland charity drive, a new range of exclusive beers will help fund efforts to save injured turtles.

Ballistic Brewing Co's founder David Kitchen and resident Whitsundays brewer Liam Paget at the opening of the new Cannonvale venue. Picture: Kirra Grimes.

Sink a brew and help raise the reef with a new range of exclusive Reef beers that will help support and restore one of the planet’s best natural wonders.

Ballistic Whitsunday will today release its Reef Lager and Reef Pale Ale with 10 cents from every can sold going to Airlie Beach charity Eco Barge Clean Seas.

Eco Barge Clean Seas founding chair Libby Edge said the donated funds would help feed and medicate sick and injured turtles at the Whitsundays Turtle Rescue Centre.

“We are extremely grateful for this support, which will help alleviate the cost pressures of caring for these majestic creatures,” she said.

“I love the fact that people can enjoy a tasty beer while knowing their money is going to a good cause.

“With this partnership, Ballistic Beer Co is helping raise awareness of the harm caused by marine debris. It’s a very Queensland thing to do.”

Ballistic Beer Co Commander-in-Chief David Kitchen said visitors to Ballistic Whitsundays could also donate their spare change to Eco Barge Clean Seas through a collection point at the venue.

Eco Barge Clean Seas founding chair Libby Edge holding Donatella the turtle. Picture: Melanie Whiting

The funds will help support restoration and research efforts along the entire Great Barrier Reef.

“Regional communities are the beating heart of Queensland and we know that if we want to become Queensland’s favourite craft beer, we need to expand beyond Brisbane and support causes that are important to locals, like protecting the Reef,” he said.

He said Reef Lager and Reef Pale Ale range would soon also be available at Ballistic Bargara, where 10 cents from every bottle sold throughout Bundaberg venues would be donated to support a project that is committed to protecting the southernmost end of the Great Barrier Reef.

“We’re in talks with a number of local Bundaberg not-for-profit groups, organisations and businesses and hope to make a partnership announcement at Ballistic Bargara in the near future.”

Outgoing Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tash Wheeler said the new range of Reef beers were a refreshing addition to region and would go a long way to supporting the Whitsundays Turtle Rescue Centre.

“Ballistic Whitsundays has hit the ground running since opening in May. It is great to have another local business so passionate about supporting the restoration and research efforts of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tash said.

Since July 2009, Eco Barge Clean Seas’ 1700 volunteers have removed more than 213,000 kilograms of harmful marine debris and litter from the Whitsunday region.