Tennis champion, author and proud Aussie Ash Barty was on the Sunshine Coast this week to promote Australian-made products.
The 27-year-old former world No.1 and three-time Slam winner was at Coolum Beach business MJ Playgrounds – a successful indoor play equipment design and manufacturing business – as the ambassador for Australian Made Week.
She urged Australians to celebrate and support local makers and growers, by seeking out and buying genuine Aussie products bearing the green-and-gold kangaroo logo.
“I’m proud to be part of the campaign as it supports the livelihood of local manufacturing, local businesses, local families and local communities,” she said via a press release.
“There are so many benefits to buying Australian Made, including creating and supporting local jobs and boosting the economies of the cities, towns and regions where the goods are produced.
“We’re absolutely spoilt for choice in Australia as we have some of the best products in the world, manufactured and grown to the highest standards right here in our own backyard.”
MJ Playgrounds general manager Danielle Perry said she was proud of the business.
“The Australian Made logo enables buyers here and around the globe to instantly identify authentic Aussie brands such as ours,” she said.
“Through our cutting-edge manufacturing, we are not only creating play equipment – and of course boundless fun for those who enjoy it – we are creating jobs in regional areas and helping grow the local economy.”
Ash toured the factory facilities and spent time with some of the juniors as they tried the playground equipment.
She was joined by Australian Made chief executive Ben Lazzaro, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic and Australian Made chair Allyn Beard at the launch.
Mr Lazzaro said it was important to buy from national businesses.
“When you buy Australian Made, you have a direct economic impact on the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Australians throughout the supply chain,” he said.
“Even a small change to people’s shopping habits can make a huge difference, with Roy Morgan research showing that if every household spent an additional $10 a week on Australian Made products, it would inject an extra $4.8 billion into the economy each year and create up to 9500 new jobs.”
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien was also there.
“Let’s work together to support Australian jobs and businesses by checking for the iconic green and gold logo on everything we buy,” he said via social media.
“Not just this week but all year round to support 4200 Australian farmers, processors and manufacturers who are registered to use the logo.”
Help us deliver more news by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
