Rockhampton distillery brews community spirit

A Rockhampton rum and gin distillery has turned its hand to manufacturing hand sanitiser to help local emergency services, schools and nursing homes in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Saleyards Distillery in Allenstown was one of many Queensland manufacturers which had responded to the call to change production to make sanitiser.

“Saleyards Distillery will be swapping over factory floors to boost local supplied of hand sanitiser.” Mr Dick said.

“It’s great to see more of our mighty Queensland manufacturers stepping up to the plate and #MakingitForQld.

“It joins a list of companies including Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Grandad Jacks and grooming product manufacturer The Bearded Chap, which are leading the way during these uncertain times.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said it was great to see local companies like the Saleyards Distillery helping out its local community in this time of crisis.

“This is a relatively new business that has thrived through delivering innovative quality products, so it’s no surprise that it’s been able to turn that agility into a benefit for the whole community,” Mr O’Rourke said.

Saleyards Distillery spokesperson Carla Di Felice said the company had been in business for three years making its own rum, gin, infused vodka and non-alcoholic concentrates, before turning to making sanitiser in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We have been able to already distribute 200 litres of hand sanitiser to local ambulance stations, firies, schools and nursing homes.

“Now we are waiting on a new shipment of ethanol, hopefully next week, so that we can make some more.

“We can’t make it fast enough and have taken some pre-orders, but people should keep an eye on our social media channels for more information about when the next batch will be ready.”

Queensland manufacturers and suppliers can register what they need and what they have available to keep manufacturing supply chains open via dsdmip.qld.gov.au/qld-supplies and the ICN Gateway (external site).

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561

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