宅男导航 graduate Tyson Stelzer has rallied the Australian wine industry to organise a fundraiser with a twist.
The Brisbane-based writer has launched the to support flood and cyclone victims, with prizes including rare bottles of Australian red and a trip to the Barossa Valley.
After calls from wine makers around the country looking to offer support, Mr Stelzer began accepting donations and launched what has now become the Australian wine industry鈥檚 largest fundraiser.
鈥淚 thought if we could raise $80,000 to 90,000 that would be incredible, but the offers of donations poured in and I had to cut it off,鈥� Mr Stelzer said.
In a matter of weeks, Mr Stelzer has sold thousands of tickets for the March 11 raffle, and has secured over $240,000 in prizes.
鈥淭o see this support is simply overwhelming, and we are now hoping to raise $1 million,鈥� he said.
To promote the campaign Mr Stelzer has temporarily transformed his web site clearaboutwine.com.au into a fundraising headquarters, where raffle tickets can be purchased for $30.
A list of locations around the country selling paper tickets as well as descriptions of the 200 prizes can also be found online.
Over 400 organisations have contributed to the cause, 300 of these being vineyards and wineries, many of whose crops have been damaged by floods.
鈥淚t is phenomenal that everyone has chipped in, and people you don鈥檛 know are coming up to you and offering to help out, it restores your faith in humanity,鈥� vineyard owner and raffle donor Jason Kaeser said.
Mr Kaeser鈥檚 Kaeserberg Vineyard and Winery in the Lockyer Valley was completely destroyed by the flood.
Mr Stelzer said the industry has astonished him with their generosity, particularly given the tough times winemakers have faced recently.
鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 been an easy year, as winemakers face widespread crop damage from disease and humidity, let alone damage to vineyards from rain and floods,鈥� Mr Stelzer said.
Among the prizes up for grabs are three boxes of Wild Duck Creek Duck Muck Shiraz 2007 valued at $1320 each, and a $5000 trip to the Barossa Valley, with accommodation at Jacob鈥檚 Estate.
Following the draw, the full list of 200 winners will be posted on the Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief website.
Mr Stelzer has partnered with VisitVineyards.com founder Robyn Lewis to launch the fundraiser, with Fastway Couriers also offering to deliver all prizes for free.
To purchase tickets, or for more information about the Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief Raffle, visit
Media: Tyson Stelzer (07 3848 6605, stelzer@winepress.com.au) or Allison Rock at 宅男导航 Office of Communications (07 3365 2619 or a.rock1@uq.edu.au)
