Ukraine Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko will help launch Sunshine & Sons General’s Friendship Gin as part of his tour of the Sunshine Coast as special guest of the Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace.
Mr Wallace said it was appropriate that it was International Friendship Day on Sunday as he welcomed the Ukraine Ambassador to the Sunshine Coast.
“Australia stands in solidarity with our friends in Ukraine and strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty as we continue to call on Russia to cease their unprovoked, unjust, and illegal war,” Mr Wallace said.
“It’s a great privilege to be able to show His Excellency our beautiful part of the world after spending a lot of time with him in Parliament House and give him a sense of our support for Ukraine and shared vision to defend the global rules-based order while giving the community a unique insight into Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
H.E. Myroshnychenko, who has been in Australia just over a year, said he truly understood mateship.
“On behalf of all Ukrainian people, my special thanks to all Australians for their support, whether it’s the life-saving Bushmasters that are a great help to our military personnel on the frontline in Ukraine, to Sunshine & Sons’ efforts to produce three special bottles with funds to help Ukraine, and everyone’s support no matter how big or small is very much appreciated,” H.E. Myroshnychenko said.
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, who has also appeared on a limited-edition Ted’s Gin at the Woombye Distillery, encouraged everyone to support local business and a great cause.
“I’m very proud of the award-winning Sunshine & Sons business international success story and their big heart which reminds us all of the importance of friendship and helping those in need,” Mr O’Brien said.
Sunshine & Sons Founder Matt Hobson said 100% of funds raised will be used to add to the 186 metal detectors already purchased and being used in Ukraine for humanitarian de-mining.
“This limited edition of Sunshine & Sons Original Dry Gin celebrates friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals as we raise a glass to the power of friendship and the return of peace to Ukraine,” Mr Hobson said.
“It’s not easy to be a small local business doing big things on an international scale but it’s the least we can do for friends we have never met that share our desire for peace. On International Friendship Day we are very proud that our small business has helped to raise a significant amount of money that is making a difference to people.”
The label artwork features Ukrainian General Valerii Zaluzhnyi in a field of sunflowers under a Ukrainian sky and is by Ukrainian warzone street artist Yuri Krasnoshchok (Instagram @yurskiy.exe).
Sunshine & Sons customers purchasing this limited-edition gin from sunshineandsons.com.au will add approximately $34 a bottle to the $150,000 Sunshine & Sons has raised to date.
Mr Wallace, who serves as the Deputy Chair of Parliament’s important intelligence and security committee, and the defence subcommittee, said the Ambassador’s visit will also include a tour of Caloundra-based defence manufacturer Eniquest and a community forum — A Live Conversation on Russia’s War in Ukraine – in Alexandra Headland.
Australia’s support for Ukraine has included 120 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, which have Fisher-made diesel generators by Eniquest.
“When we were in Government, we supported Eniquest with about $48 million as part of the Coalition’s commitment to backing local manufacturers in defence industry,” Mr Wallace said. “I am very proud of the local link in our support for Ukraine with the in-demand vehicles that are saving lives on the Ukrainian frontline.”