Sponsored content by Australian Made Campaign Limited
Australian manufacturing has found an unlikely new seat of power – a cheeky gold throne made from locally made products including cricket bats, batteries, garden tools, cookware, candles and boots.
Created for this year’s Australian Made Week 2026 campaign starring comedian and broadcaster Andy Lee, the oversized “Australian Made throne” has become the centrepiece of a new advertising push celebrating the scale and diversity of local manufacturing while reminding Australians why buying locally made products matters.
In the campaign’s tongue-in-cheek commercial, Lee sits atop the handcrafted throne, which was constructed entirely from authentic licensed Australian Made products donated by businesses from across the country. While the concept leans heavily into humour and spectacle, the campaign carries a broader message around economic resilience, supply-chain security and the value of supporting Australian jobs and industries.
Australian Made Week 2026 officially runs from 18 to 24 May, with Lee serving as ambassador for the national campaign.
A throne built from Australian manufacturing
Far more than a quirky prop, the throne was designed as a physical showcase of Australian manufacturing capability, bringing together products from sectors spanning construction materials, sports equipment, consumer goods, gardening, footwear, cosmetics, furniture, cookware and industrial manufacturing.
Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL) said the throne itself was intentionally designed to showcase the breadth of Australian industry, drawing together products and materials from a wide cross-section of sectors.
Among the participating manufacturers were sporting goods companies such as Gray-Nicolls, Abel Sports, Madison Sport and Australian Barbell Company; construction and materials businesses including Boral, CSR PGH and CSR Gyprock; consumer goods manufacturers such as Décor Australia, Grounded Goods and Worthy; and industrial and trade-focused brands including Sutton Tools and Century Yuasa Batteries.
The throne also incorporated products from manufacturers in beauty and skincare, including De Lorenzo, Eco Style Project, Everescents and Cedel, alongside homegrown footwear brands Mongrel Boots, Thongs Australia and UGG Since 1974.
Other contributors ranged from pet product manufacturers and candle makers to playground builders, pottery producers and even Gilmour Space made an appearance in the campaign, highlighting the wide scope of Australia’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Australian Made said the set piece would not have been possible without the time, products and resources donated by participating licensees.
More than a marketing stunt
The campaign’s playful tone masks a more serious underlying message: that Australian-made products play a critical role in supporting local jobs, strengthening sovereign manufacturing capability and improving supply-chain resilience.
The Australian Made logo – the green-and-gold kangaroo symbol – has become one of the country’s most recognised certification marks, helping consumers identify products that are genuinely manufactured or grown in Australia.
According to campaign figures, the logo is recognised by 99 per cent of Australians and appears on thousands of products sold locally and overseas. For consumers, the certification signals authenticity, local economic contribution and compliance with Australian standards.
The campaign also arrives amid renewed national focus on domestic manufacturing capability following recent global supply-chain disruptions and growing interest in economic self-sufficiency.
Research referenced by Australian Made suggests that if every Australian household spent just an additional $20 per week on locally made products, it could inject billions into the national economy and support thousands of jobs.
Andy Lee fronts Australian Made Week 2026
Lee’s involvement as ambassador brings a mainstream entertainment face to this year’s campaign, with the comedian appearing across a series of mockumentary-style advertisements and promotional videos encouraging Australians to “swap their shop” and choose more locally made goods.
Australian Made noted the campaign aims to make Australian manufacturing feel relatable and visible to everyday consumers by spotlighting products people may not realise are still made domestically.
And while the throne itself may be playful, campaign organisers say the message behind it is grounded in a very real ambition: keeping Australian manufacturing strong across industries ranging from heavy materials and industrial production to everyday household and lifestyle goods.
Australian Made Week 2026 runs from 18–24 May 2026. Consumers and businesses can learn more, discover Australian Made brands and get involved at Australian Made Week.
This article contains information provided by Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL) and is intended for general use only. It does not take into account your personal, professional, or business circumstances.
