Servo owner gives free petrol to celebrate election in Lebanon

Christmas came early for motorists last Wednesday when a Punchbowl servo gave away free fuel for 30 minutes.

AP Punchbowl owner Richard Andary. Picture: Timothy Clapin

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Christmas came early for motorists last Wednesday when a Punchbowl servo gave away free fuel for 30 minutes.

AP Punchbowl owner Richard Andary, pumped out over 4000 litres of free fuel to celebrate the election of Lebanese president Michel Aoun.

The event caused chaos on Punchbowl Rd with cars banking up for as far as the eye could see as over 500 people drove away with their tanks full.

“Some couldn’t believe it,” Mr Andary said.

“No-one ever gets fuel for free and we also gave away free drinks and sweets.”

But it’s not the first time the service station has let their bowsers run free.

When Sydney was announced as the host city for the 2000 Olympics, Mr Andary celebrated similarly.

And for each of Australia’s eight gold medals in Rio this year, unsuspecting drivers were rewarded 15 minutes of complimentary petrol.

Last week, Mr Andary’s unique way of celebrating went viral and featured on the news in Australia and Lebanon.

Michel Aoun is Lebanon’s first president in almost three years and Mr Andary said he hoped the election would restore “prosperity for Lebanon and peace in the Middle East”.

“Hopefully it will be a testament to good policy and stability in the region.”

Mr Andary said it would not be the last time he gave away petrol.

“As Australian nationals we are proud of living in Australia so if there is anything that is good for Australia — we celebrate by giving away free fuel,” he said.

President Aoun, 81, was the frontrunner leading into Lebanon’s election and he received 83/127 of the country’s votes.