Matthew McConaughey honours Australian heroes for keeping wildlife safe during bushfires

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Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey honours local Australian heroes for keeping their communities and wildlife safe during last year’s devastating bushfires

By Jabeen Waheed For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Matthew McConaughey has honoured local Australian heroes for keeping the public healthy and protecting the wildlife during last year’s bushfires.

The Hollywood actor first witnessed the initial devastation caused by the fires after visiting Australia a year ago with his Wild Turkey With Thanks platform – an initiative to preserve the wilderness.

And the Courier Mail has now revealed that the 51-year-old reached out to three inspirational families who tirelessly guided their communities through the catastrophe and helped them reconnect with nature. 

Paying it forward: Matthew McConaughey [pictured] has honoured local Australian heroes for keeping the public healthy and protecting the wildlife during last year’s bushfires

The Oscar winner praised Australians for having a ‘very quick reaction to tough situations’.

‘There are certain people where it’s in their DNA – like Australians and like Texans, where I’m from – to go, “I’m not going to play the victim here, I’m not going to be victimised”.

‘Yes, this is tragic, but I’m going to pull my boots up, I’m going to pull my bootstraps up and think, ‘OK, what am I going to do about this?”‘

Wilderness warrior: The Hollywood actor first witnessed the initial devastation caused by the fires after visiting Australia a year ago with his Wild Turkey With Thanks platform - an initiative to preserve the wilderness

Wilderness warrior: The Hollywood actor first witnessed the initial devastation caused by the fires after visiting Australia a year ago with his Wild Turkey With Thanks platform – an initiative to preserve the wilderness

The Dallas Buyers Club star was moved by the efforts of three families in particular and decided to personally reach out to thank them.

He spoke to married couple Dana and Sam Mitchell who helped rescue over 600 koalas on Kangaroo Island in South Australia while the fire swept in.

Matthew also chatted to couple Linda and Matthew Rudd, whose 100-year-old pub was the only business to stay open in the hugely affected town of Batlow, NSW.

Thankful: The Courier Mail has now revealed that the 51-year-old reached out to three inspirational families who tirelessly guided their communities through the catastrophe and helped them reconnect with nature

Thankful: The Courier Mail has now revealed that the 51-year-old reached out to three inspirational families who tirelessly guided their communities through the catastrophe and helped them reconnect with nature

Victoria native Lin Baird gushed over his love for the outdoors as he spoke to the Hollywood actor about helping locals reconnect with the wilderness on horseback.

Matthew, who is the creative director for bourbon maker Wild Turkey, has also revealed that all proceeds from bottles sold during November and December will go towards Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service.

‘Now, the challenge is how can we get people to go visit those places. Go there, even your tourism helps them out, just keep them alive and help them regenerate after the bushfires,’ Matthew added.

Good cause: Matthew, who is the creative director for bourbon maker Wild Turkey, has also revealed that all proceeds from bottles sold during November and December will go towards Australia's National Parks and Wildlife Service

Good cause: Matthew, who is the creative director for bourbon maker Wild Turkey, has also revealed that all proceeds from bottles sold during November and December will go towards Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service