15 Jun Outback innovation to keep virus spread at bay

Hand sanitizer assumed a rank akin to ‘liquid gold’ recently due to the COVID-19 crisis, and in the face of worldwide shortages a savvy local entrepreneur is making sure North West locals never have to go without the germ-destroying essential again.

Cloncurry man, Luke Chaplain, moved to address the local hand sanitizer supply issues facing the region over the last couple of months by producing and packaging his own hand sanitizer formula – called Lucky’s – right in our backyard.

Lucky’s hand sanitizer is a World Health Organisation-recommended formula made from ingredients sourced in Australia.

Mr Chaplain said the idea for Lucky’s came to him after he and other locals struggled to get a hold of hand sanitizer in recent months.

Supply has since been restored, but Lucky’s is here to stay.

“Even though now there is plenty of supply, we’ll keep producing in the name of hand hygiene culture,” Mr Chaplain said.

“We are a local brand and where we can, want to give back to the community. Any locals who are a bit short on cash, just send us an email and we’ll sort you out, there’ll be no questions asked.”

Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter applauded Luke’s innovation and urged the community to get behind Lucky’s.

“The COVID-19 situation and the isolation we have had to go through as a result has made it abundantly clear we need to support local as much as possible,” he said.

“It’s really encouraging to know we have an innovative mind like Luke’s among us and that instead of simply putting up with a problem, he has jumped at creating a solution and I think we will all be better off because of it.”

Lucky’s is sold in 500ml bottles. Orders can be made through [email protected]