Steinbok Schnapps: Somersby distiller donates sanitiser to police, paramedics

When Gavin Yates heard people were spitting on police and paramedics, he knew he had to do something about it.

Steinbok Schnapps owner Gavin Yates (centre) and staff Brodyn Mill and Nick Newman have started producing hand sanitiser and giving small personal bottles to local police/paramedics. Picture: Sue Graham

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Steinbok Schnapps has been distilling liqueurs for 25 years on the Central Coast.

But when owner Gavin Yates heard people were spitting on police and paramedics, it was the final straw.

Like many distilleries have done during the COVID-19 crisis, he began producing hand sanitiser.

Last week he and his team delivered 250 personal spray hand sanitiser 60mL bottles to every police officer in Brisbane Water Police District.

Steinbok Schnapps recently donated 250 small personal hand sanitiser 60mL bottles to local police.

This week they made a similar donation to local paramedics.

Mr Yates said while the coronavirus had wiped out about 30 per cent of his business overnight, he felt “we are the lucky ones” compared to police and paramedics.

“We’re not making money (but) those guys have to turn up every day,” he said.

“They don’t know what they’re going to face every day and people are spitting on them? It’s not right.

“We feel its our responsibility to assist in protecting our front line forces.”

Mr Yates said many distillers turned to producing hand sanitiser because the main ingredient was ethanol, something they buy in bulk to produce liqueurs and other alcoholic beverages.

Today Steinbok Schnapps produces both a spray and gel hand sanitiser.

From schnapps and liqueurs to hand sanitiser. Steinbok Schnapps has added a new product to its line up. Picture: Sue Graham

It comes after a 40-year-old woman entered a fast food restaurant on Charlton St, at Woy Woy, about 9.30am on Monday when she allegedly threatened a 22-year-old staff member.

Police allege the woman spat at staff before entering the employee-only section and stole food.

Brisbane Water Police District were called and arrested the woman.

She was issued a $5000 PIN for not complying with a COVID-19 direction about spitting and a criminal infringement notice for stealing.