Since visiting in November 2019 to launch the Wild Turkey With Thanks platform, an initiative designed to protect and preserve the wilderness for future generations, McConaughey witnessed the unparalleled year Australians have experienced. From the pandemic coupled with the earlier catastrophic bushfires and floods, McConaughey felt driven to speak to locals who have moving stories of resilience. Undeterred by the international travel ban, Matthew McConaughey used the magic of video call to personally speak to three Australian Local Legends to have a yarn about the inspirational tales he had heard across the world.
The stories of uncompromising conviction include Dana and Sam Mitchell rescuing over 600 koalas on Kangaroo Island (South Australia), Linda and Matthew Rudd saving their 100-year-old pub from the bushfires while being the lifeline for the town of Batlow (New South Wales), and Lin Baird navigating a difficult year to once again help Australians reconnect with the wilderness on horseback in Mount Bogong (Victoria). [See the full-length interviews here.]
The Local Legends stories inspired McConaughey so much that he decided to lend his distinctive voice to record a message for all Australians, advocating for the nation to get out and explore all corners of our country while reconnecting with the great outdoors. From sleeping under the stars in a swag, to exploring our rugged coastlines and bush, these messages crafted by McConaughey himself are designed to motivate Australians to discover more – while supporting the regeneration of the wilderness and bushfire-affected communities.
McConaughey said he believes in community above all else and wants to urge Australians to not only explore the outdoors but visit, volunteer, say hello or stay a night or two in fire-affected regions:
“Australians are a rare breed,” noted the Creative Director. “When adversity hits them, they come back twice as strong. I know from personal experience, they get their grit from the land. These Local Legends drew strength from nature in order to protect it from one of the worst bushfire seasons on record, and I want everyone to know their stories. It's thanks to them that the Aussie wilderness and their communities remain for us all to connect with. From their mission to mine, I want to give thanks and support these Legends in my work with Wild Turkey.”
Helping preserve and regenerate the wilderness for future generations is a central part of Wild Turkey’s ongoing work on the With Thanks initiative. A percentage of proceeds from Wild Turkey’s cabin, The Reserve, and Wild Turkey bottles sold in November and December will be donated to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in support of bushfire regeneration.
The charity partner of Australia’s National Parks, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is working towards a five-year plan to plant one million trees in bushfire-affected regions around Australia to restore the habitat that was lost in the catastrophic bushfires.
Wild Turkey today is launching the Wild Turkey Local Legends website wildturkeybourbon.com.au/local-legends – where the nation can discover new places to visit and support, hear from the Local Legends themselves, alongside how to get involved in volunteering programs to help with bush regeneration.
Paolo Marinoni, Marketing Director, Campari Australia and New Zealand said, “Through all that 2020 has thrown at us, from bushfire-ravaged parks, droughts, floods and a pandemic – it has shown that Australia is a nation of resilience. Through the With Thanks initiative this year, we are thanking the Local Legends who have stood with conviction and sheer determination throughout the crises of 2020. We often turn to nature in times of adversity and we hope that by giving thanks and shining a light on these people and regions it encourages Australians to support the regeneration of the wilderness and visit fire-affected regions.”
McConaughey continued, “When Mother Nature hit us with her worst, we saw humanity at its best. Now is a prominent time in our history where we can explore our own place to restore the wilderness that restores us.”
With Thanks to the Local Legends
Dana and Sam Mitchell, South AustraliaDana and Sam Mitchell took over the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park seven years ago and have been renovating the site over the years. They now have an animal rescue centre there. During the peak of the fires on the island they were receiving upwards of 60 animals a day in need of urgent care. A humble couple, Dana and Sam are extremely passionate about protecting the native flora and fauna. They are determined to protect and preserve the native species to ensure they are there for future generations.
Lin Baird, Victoria
Lin Baird has been exploring the Victorian High Country on horseback since he was just a “little tacker”. 2020 has been a challenging time for Lin with his business, Bogong Horseback Adventures, being open for only three weeks out of the entire year. During the fires, Lin evacuated all the horses and supported the National Parks to safely house wild brumbies. Between fires surrounding his town in the summer and the level 3 lockdown, he has struggled to find consumers feeling confident to come back out and explore the wilderness. Despite the challenges, his positivity towards the future is infectious.
Linda and Matthew Rudd, New South Wales
Matthew and Linda Rudd are the owners of the only pub in Batlow, a small town in regional NSW. During the fires, Matthew made Linda flee town at the last moment when the fires were about to sweep through. She was chased out of town by the flames but made it through safely. Matthew stayed to single-handedly defend the 100-year-old pub from the fires, successfully. Matthew housed, fed and protected frontline workers at the pub and tirelessly put out spot fires in his endeavours.
McConaughey and Wild Turkey
McConaughey has been the Creative Director for Wild Turkey since 2016. The relationship began upon the actor’s inaugural visit to the iconic Kentucky distillery, where he was introduced to the Russells – the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame father and son Master Distiller team who have 100 years of Bourbon industry experience collectively.McConaughey had an immediate connection with the Russells when he discovered Wild Turkey’s devotion to distilling Bourbon the right, unapologetic way. In 2018, McConaughey unveiled his own Bourbon: Wild Turkey Longbranch, a rare small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon refined with Texas Mesquite.
Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
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