Bundaberg Rum has launched an initiative aimed at bringing communities back to their local, with a special regional tour of Queensland’s famous Pub Choir.

Pub Choir is a social organisation that kicked off in Brisbane in 2017, drawing hundreds of people together to learn harmonies and record popular songs.

It has become world famous and counts international music stars like Mariah Carey among its fans. After a year as “Couch Choir” due to COVID-19, Pub Choir will tour half a dozen Queensland towns in the coming weeks, creating a special night at the pub for the local community.

The tour is being made possible thanks to Bundaberg Rum’s $11.5 million Raising the Bar industry relief fund, which is designed to support the hospitality sector as it recovers and rebuilds from the impact of COVID-19.

It has been 12 months since the pandemic forced the unprecedented shut down of the hospitality sector. It continues to be one of the hardest hit industries with rolling restrictions, capacity constraints and new ongoing costs to stay open.

Duncan Littler (above), Bundaberg Rum Marketing and Experience Manager said: “Bundaberg Rum is absolutely delighted to be able to bring Pub Choir to regional Queensland in venues which are COVID-safe thanks to our Raising the Bar hospitality support fund.

“It’s a great Queensland partnership. Bundaberg Rum is as about as iconic Queensland as you get, and Pub Choir,
which started in a Brisbane pub, now has fans around the world.

“Bundy’s Raising the Bar fund has so far helped 1500 hospitality venues across Australia rebuild and recover from
the impact of shut downs and new ongoing operating costs with free supplies of hand sanitiser, PPE, floor markers
and outdoor ‘Bear Gardens’ to support safer socialising.

“The pub is often the heart and soul of regional communities and people missed that social element during the
height of the pandemic. We want people to know that good times can still be had at their local as we support them
to maintain strict hygiene standards.”

Astrid Jorgensen, founder/director of Pub Choir said: “Exactly 12 months ago we had to transform Pub Choir into Couch Choir, which was phenomenal during COVID. But nothing compares to being able to connect in person so I am thrilled that we can now return to beloved pubs across Queensland with the support of Bundaberg Rum.

“Thanks to the funding from Bundy’s Raising the Bar we’re going to be touring through six regional Queensland towns, bringing the community back together at their local to sing their hearts out, reconnect and have a great time.

“We have to do a few things differently, socially distanced and COVID-safe under the directions of Queensland Health, but the joy will be the same, if not even more so, because for the first time in over a year it will be live in person,” Jorgensen said.

Tickets are free and will be released later this week.

Tour dates:

Bundaberg: Brothers Sports Club – Tuesday, April 20
Dalby: The Criterion Hotel – Wednesday, April 21
Toowoomba: Stock Hotel – Friday, April 23
Cairns: Brothers Leagues Club – Tuesday, April 27
Townsville: Mansfield Hotel – Wednesday, April 28
Magnetic Island: Arcadia Village Hotel – Friday, April 30
Emerald: Emerald Golf Club – Sunday, May 2

Raising the Bar now supporting 1500 venues