Mick Fanning launches Balter Brewery’s Big Slab to help struggling tourism and hospitality industries

Surf legend Mick Fanning has given a boost to the struggling tourism and hospitality industry by providing the Gold Coast with its own big attraction.

THE Big Pineapple, the Big Banana and the Big Prawn – Australia is known for big objects and the Gold Coast has joined in the fun with the Big Slab.

Gold Coast company Balter Brewing has put one of its slabs on the side of the M1 at Yatala and even better the first 100 people to tag the company on one of its social media platforms along with a selfie next to the enlarged carton will win their very own Balter beer slab.

Mick Fanning in front of the Balter Beer "Big Slab" Balter billboard at Yatala. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Balter co-founder and surfing legend Mick Fanning said the Big Slab started as a fun idea but the team at the brewery wanted it to go further.

“When the idea first came about, we were just going to do something silly with the sign, but then we realised we could do something good with it,” he said.

Balter Brewing Company is getting behind a campaign to support local hospitality workers hard hit by the effects of COVID-19 and boost Queensland tourism. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The new tourist attraction will draw attention to a fight to rejuvenate Queensland’s tourism and money raised from the company’s merchandise and tips will go to Australian hospitality relief fund Tipjar.

“We can help out things like Tipjar, who work to get people back on their feet during these tough times,” the three-time WSL world champion said.

“We have been lucky, but if we can help friends who’ve had to shut down restaurants and bars, then it’s a win-win.”

All money raised through the sale of Balter merchandise will go to the Australian hospitality relief fund Tipjar, which is focused on feeding, housing, employing, upskilling and supporting the food and beverage industry. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Tipjar was set up by Worksmith, an organisation that supports people in the hospitality industry, and people can donate to Tipjar at tipjarfund.org.

Balter brand director Stirling Howland said the Big Slab follows Queensland and Australia’s proud tradition of putting massive things by the side of the road.

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“We were looking for a lighthearted way to draw attention to the serious issue of COVID-19 affecting the hospitality industry that we all love so much,” he said.

“A lot of people are saying the Big Slab is just a picture of a slab on a billboard, and we say to those people come down and see for yourself, just please don’t look at it from the side.’’

Close friends Fanning and Howland are encouraging the public to take a selfie with the Big Slab on their way to visiting another part of Queensland but urge people not to do it while driving.