Local café found an unexpected way to support Ukraine—here’s how!
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International diplomacy often plays out in grand halls and high-stakes meetings, but sometimes, the ripple effects reach the most unexpected places.
When a global controversy unfolded on the world stage, a small-town Australian couple found themselves deeply moved—so much so that they decided to take matters into their own hands.
What followed was an unconventional stand, a bold statement, and a commitment to a cause that stretched far beyond their quiet village.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with then-US President Donald Trump at the White House, the exchange left a lasting impression on a couple living in rural New South Wales.
Jan Giles and Adrian Sykes, from the small village of Binalong, were shocked by how Zelensky was treated during the meeting.
‘I was disgusted because here’s this man, coming for help and he’s belittled,’ Giles said.
‘It’s schoolyard bullying and we don’t accept that anywhere.’
‘You don’t treat anyone like that, let alone a head of state and for it to be on the world stage, [it’s] absolutely unbelievable.’
Determined to show their support for Ukraine, the couple introduced what they called ‘tariffs’ on American-made products at their café.
Before the US government announced a 25 per cent tariff on Australian steel and aluminium, Giles and Sykes had already imposed their own version of a tax on certain US goods, with the funds directed to aid efforts in Ukraine.
‘We call it a tariff because I think it’s the word of the week,’ Sykes said.
A $1 charge was added to Coca-Cola products, while Jim Beam and Cola faced a $2 increase.
Jack Daniels and Jim Beam were removed from the café’s shelves entirely since they were produced and shipped from the United States.
In another symbolic move, the couple decided to display the American flag upside down in their café.
‘It actually symbolises a state of distress,’ Sykes said.
‘I feel that’s how America is going at the moment.’
The initiative followed a community fundraiser organised by Giles and Sykes after they saw the now-infamous White House meeting.
Musicians volunteered their time, and people from across the district attended, including a Ukrainian family who had heard about the event.
‘It was wonderful, they all came in the Ukraine colours and they were just absolutely over the moon,’ Giles said.
Between the tariffs and the fundraiser, more than $2,000 had been donated to the Australian Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
To further their impact, the café pledged to match every dollar raised through their campaign.
‘We should be [able to raise] around $800, maybe $1,000 a quarter, and over a period of a year that would equate to maybe $3,000–4,000 a year,’ Sykes said.
He added that their goal was simply to help in any way they could, especially given what Ukraine had endured and the treatment Zelensky received from Trump and then-US Vice President JD Vance.
The couple planned to continue their efforts until they saw a change in Trump’s stance on Ukraine.
‘Binalong is not going to change the world [but] something like this can sometimes catch on a little bit,’ Sykes said.
In a previous story, former US President Donald Trump appeared confused when questioned about the AUKUS deal, a key security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US.
His response raised eyebrows, adding to concerns about his approach to international relations.
Read more about the moment that left many questioning his grasp on global affairs.
With their small-town initiative making waves, it raises an interesting question—can grassroots actions like this truly influence global conversations?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
When a global controversy unfolded on the world stage, a small-town Australian couple found themselves deeply moved—so much so that they decided to take matters into their own hands.
What followed was an unconventional stand, a bold statement, and a commitment to a cause that stretched far beyond their quiet village.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with then-US President Donald Trump at the White House, the exchange left a lasting impression on a couple living in rural New South Wales.
Jan Giles and Adrian Sykes, from the small village of Binalong, were shocked by how Zelensky was treated during the meeting.
‘I was disgusted because here’s this man, coming for help and he’s belittled,’ Giles said.
Binalong café owners take a stand for Ukraine. Image source: ABC Central West/Hamish Cole
‘It’s schoolyard bullying and we don’t accept that anywhere.’
‘You don’t treat anyone like that, let alone a head of state and for it to be on the world stage, [it’s] absolutely unbelievable.’
Determined to show their support for Ukraine, the couple introduced what they called ‘tariffs’ on American-made products at their café.
Before the US government announced a 25 per cent tariff on Australian steel and aluminium, Giles and Sykes had already imposed their own version of a tax on certain US goods, with the funds directed to aid efforts in Ukraine.
‘We call it a tariff because I think it’s the word of the week,’ Sykes said.
A $1 charge was added to Coca-Cola products, while Jim Beam and Cola faced a $2 increase.
Jack Daniels and Jim Beam were removed from the café’s shelves entirely since they were produced and shipped from the United States.
In another symbolic move, the couple decided to display the American flag upside down in their café.
‘It actually symbolises a state of distress,’ Sykes said.
‘I feel that’s how America is going at the moment.’
The initiative followed a community fundraiser organised by Giles and Sykes after they saw the now-infamous White House meeting.
Musicians volunteered their time, and people from across the district attended, including a Ukrainian family who had heard about the event.
‘It was wonderful, they all came in the Ukraine colours and they were just absolutely over the moon,’ Giles said.
Between the tariffs and the fundraiser, more than $2,000 had been donated to the Australian Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
To further their impact, the café pledged to match every dollar raised through their campaign.
‘We should be [able to raise] around $800, maybe $1,000 a quarter, and over a period of a year that would equate to maybe $3,000–4,000 a year,’ Sykes said.
He added that their goal was simply to help in any way they could, especially given what Ukraine had endured and the treatment Zelensky received from Trump and then-US Vice President JD Vance.
The couple planned to continue their efforts until they saw a change in Trump’s stance on Ukraine.
‘Binalong is not going to change the world [but] something like this can sometimes catch on a little bit,’ Sykes said.
In a previous story, former US President Donald Trump appeared confused when questioned about the AUKUS deal, a key security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US.
His response raised eyebrows, adding to concerns about his approach to international relations.
Read more about the moment that left many questioning his grasp on global affairs.
With their small-town initiative making waves, it raises an interesting question—can grassroots actions like this truly influence global conversations?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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