Oscar winner and Wild Turkey Creative Director, Matthew McConaughey is heading to Australia this month to launch the Australian extension of the three-year With Thanks global program.
The program aims to help Australians preserve the country’s wilderness, which is increasingly under threat. In the last 200 years 25 per cent of Australia’s rainforests and nearly 50 per cent of all forests have been lost. On top of that the rate of species extinction in Australia is one of the highest in the world.
McConaughey’s trip will see Wild Turkey support Australia’s devoted wilderness and wildlife preservation community.
The Hollywood star, who first visited Australia as a 19-year-old volunteer, says this country has always had a special place in my heart.
“I lived there for a year out of high school and have worked there many times making movies. An original Australian initiation is its rugged beauty. Mother Nature demands you engage with her,” he said.
“Whether it’s the outback, the Barrier Reef, or the farms on the Central Coast, I’ve enjoyed the natural beauties of Australia for years. And now I’m coming back to meet and celebrate the unwavering conviction of Aussies who work tirelessly to preserve and protect the beautiful wilderness and wildlife that is their own.”
An unusual partnership has been developed for Wild Turkey’s With Thanks, as McConaughey is partnering with travel start-up, Unyoked, to design and launch an off-the-grid cabin that will encourage more Australians to reconnect with the wild.
Nicole Stanners, Marketing Director of Wild Turkey’s parent brand, Campari Australia and New Zealand, said: “We’re delighted that Matthew will be coming to Australia to shine a light on the preservation of the Australian wilderness and take a moment to thank those who share our spirit of bold conviction. It’s important we do our bit to protect the wilderness because being closer to nature is a good way to connect with yourself and others.
“Wild Turkey is inspired by the wild and believe it’s important to do its part in protecting it. Which is why we’re proud to support With Thanks and Unyoked’s charity partner and the great work that the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife does to protect and preserve the Australian wilderness for future generations.
“This will be the first step in a number of planned initiatives from Wild Turkey that will go towards conserving and protecting the environment.”
The cabin will be launched on 20 November in Sydney, following which it will be placed in a wilderness area of New South Wales and be made available to the public for bookings from early December.
A percentage of the proceeds generated from the cabin and $1 from every bottle of Longbranch sold in November and December will be donated to Unyoked’s charity partner, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.