Only in OZ: Beer Can Boat Journey

Three intrepid Aussies who like their grog decided to do something special with their growing mound of discarded beer cans.

“We were just sitting around in our shed drinking beer and wondering what we could do with all the cans,” Brad Gillam told reporters on the banks of the Brisbane River today.

Following in the footsteps of the annual Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, the three Queensland pals decided to make their own “tinnie” and embark on a three-day sailing trip. The trio collected cans for over two years, aided by donations from fellow beer guzzling folks. Their vessel was constructed from 8000 empty cans, as well as silicon and plywood.

Their initial idea was an ambitious recycling project, but the death of Mr. Gillam’s 10-week-old daughter in January from SIDS made the journey an opportunity to spread the word and raise money for the fight against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Skipper Gillam and his shipmates hope they will be able to donate up to $200,000 to the Sids and Kids Queensland charity.