More than 750 venues across Australia have been approved for support by the Bundaberg Rum Raising the Bar initiative, which is providing more than half a million items of PPE, including gloves and face masks, 1500 digital thermometers and thousands of floor demarcations (stickers) to help with physical distancing.

The initiative has has so far provided around 35,000 litres of free hand sanitiser to Australian pubs, clubs and bars, to help maintain a COVID-safe environment for their patrons.

The $11.5m Raising the Bar initiative has been created to support venues recover from the unprecedented
economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘Bear Cares Safety’ kits, worth $1250 each, are removing an onerous cost burden from venues at a time when
they are trying to rebuild and get back to business.

They are helping to provide patrons with the confidence to socialise safely at their favourite venue as we head into the
festive season and summer.

Angus McPherson, Managing Director at Bundaberg Rum’s parent company Diageo Australia said: “On top of the shutdowns and trading halts, venues now have additional costs to bear, including regularly purchasing safety
equipment and supplies, such as hand sanitiser, PPE and thermal scanners.

“The Raising the Bar fund is making this easier by delivering our ‘Bear Cares Safety’ packages, giving our hospitality
industry a helping hand when it needs it most.

“It’s going to be a festive season like no other, with smaller, physically distanced parties and gatherings and we
want patrons to be confident they can socialise safely at their local.”

Raising the Bar will directly support jobs, recovery, and innovation in the Australian hospitality industry. Pre-
COVID-19 Australian pubs, bars and clubs employed more than 500,000 Australians and contributed $17.2 billion in

Applications remain open for venues to apply for Raising the Bar support here.

Pictured main: Angus McPherson, Victor Dominello and Sean Morrissey.