Proceeds from sales of the Tropical Lager Coral'ation (TLC) beer have raised $25,000 to help launch the ground-breaking new reef conservation program. You can read about the initiative by Good Beer Co and Sobah in the story we wrote when it launched, while the full media release is posted below.
Sea Women Ready to Go Thanks to TLC Beer
A tasty non-alcoholic tropical lager brewed to support a First Nations women-led environmental initiative has already raised $25,000 to help launch the ground-breaking new reef conservation program.
Proceeds from sales of Tropical Lager Coral'ation (TLC) beer, and a Pozible crowdfund campaign that launched the beer, have helped fund the Coral Sea Foundation to recruit the first eight First Nations women from Queensland, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and Papua New Guinea to take part in the inaugural Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef program.
A non-alcoholic craft beer, TLC is the brainchild of two Queensland social enterprise beer trailblazers, Sobah Beverages and The Good Beer Co, who have joined forces with purpose-led creative agency, ArtDisrupt, and environmental pioneers, the Coral Sea Foundation, to champion and fund the Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef training program and the Foundation's work to empower First Nations women to protect the coral reefs in their traditional sea-country.
And it's not just a beer for a good cause. TLC was awarded a Silver Medal at the prestigious Royal Queensland Beer Awards last week, following a fantastic reception from beer influencers and beer drinkers alike.
The first Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef training program will kick off later this month in the waters around Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), the home base of the Coral Sea Foundation.
The program has three objectives: to strengthen the connection between First Nations women and their traditional Great Barrier Reef sea-country, to empower First Nations women from Great Barrier Reef sea-country with the practical marine science skills and the marine conservation knowledge they need to be more effective advocates for sustainable management of their marine resources both within their communities and broader society, and to forge new links between Indigenous Sea Women around the Coral Sea arc, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Torres Straits, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Naomi Longa, Lead Instructor on the Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef program said: "Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef is designed to connect First Nations women with the Great Barrier Reef and empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to take a lead role in caring for traditional sea country."
Dr Andy Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of the Coral Sea Foundation said: "It's thanks to the support of Sobah Beverages, The Good Beer Co and ArtDisrupt and our Tropical Lager Coal'ation that we're launching this first training program."
Dr Clinton Schultz, Gamilaraay man, psychologist and Founder and Director at Sobah Beverages said: "Sobah exists to champion First Nations culture, health and well-being so care for country and our oceans is in our DNA and this collaboration was a no-brainer."
"As an Aboriginal owned and led business, and as Sobah grows, we're providing opportunities not just for local mob where our new brewery will open here on Kombumerri country soon (the Gold Coast) but for First Nations people across Australia. So, it's deadly to see TLC supporting the first of many First Nations women take part in Sea Women of the Great Barrier Reef training "
The first batch of TLC launched in October 2022 and is selling out quickly! It's still available for nationwide delivery at www.sobah.com.au/products/tlc and from selected independent retailers.
