DrinkWise has produced a series of short videos, featuring well-known Indigenous personalities and sports stars.

The videos aim to educate Australians and facilitate discussions about delaying alcohol for as long as possible, managing peer pressure, the importance of positive role modelling when it comes to alcohol, making healthy choices and the cause and effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The use of these recognisable personalities has resonated in school and community education settings and in medical practices.  The videos are available for educational use (free of charge) – please contact info@drinkwise.org.au for more information.

The Federal Government partnered with DrinkWise to produce videos featuring Deborah Mailman and Aaron Pedersen, to increase the community’s awareness and understanding of FASD.  The videos have been shown in rural and regional medical practice waiting rooms and in Aboriginal Medical Services across Australia, through the Aboriginal Health TV network.

In this video, Deb reflects on her personal experience as a pregnant woman, explaining why women should avoid alcohol when pregnant or planning a pregnancy and that for women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.

Aaron reflects on the importance of ensuring partners, family members and friends support women to abstain from alcohol, to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Extended versions of the videos have been produced to educate students about FASD, peer pressure and the importance of delaying drinking until they are at least 18.

Deb reflects on her experiences growing up, including her decisions not to drink during her pregnancies, to wait until she was older to drink alcohol and advising kids to talk to a trusted adult if they have any questions about alcohol.

Aaron discusses the impact FASD can have on people’s lives, the importance of supporting loved ones not to drink when planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding and reminds kids that it’s ok to say no if people are pressuring them to have a drink.

These videos have been created to educate and remind parents, family members, carers and other adults in the community about the important influence they can have on children and their future attitudes towards alcohol and drinking.

In these role modelling videos, Deb talks about the influential role parents have in their children’s lives and emphasises the importance of setting clear boundaries for kids when it comes to alcohol.  Aaron speaks about the important influence all adults in the community can have when it comes to role modelling responsible alcohol consumption.

DrinkWise has also worked with AFL and AFLW stars Shaun Burgoyne, Tim Kelly, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Aliesha Newman and Michael O’Loughlin to produce videos for school and community programs, to educate and build individual capacity to make informed decisions about alcohol, including delaying alcohol consumption (until at least 18 years of age).

The videos cover a broad range of topics including peer pressure, the developing teenage brain, FASD and avoiding alcohol when pregnant, positive role modelling, the importance of education and strength of culture.

Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) speaks to the importance of education and the risks that arise from excessive consumption, acknowledging the positive adult role models he had during his childhood.

In his second video, Shaun emphasises how healthy choices can help to achieve your goals and talk about the importance of good nutrition, getting enough sleep and (as an adult) avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.  He also discusses encouraging women not to smoke or drink while pregnant, the importance of culture and those in the community to make healthy choices.

Tim Kelly (West Coast) talks about Indigenous culture, recognising how strong family and community support assisted him to continue to strive for his goals.  He discusses that when the time is right, he plans to talk to his kids about making healthy choices and how tough it can be to make these choices in the face of peer pressure.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) reflects on the difficulties he faced growing up and that despite those challenges he realised that education was essential to make the most of his opportunities and to extend his AFL career.  Anthony encourages kids to ask questions if they are not sure about their choices or feel pressured encourages delaying alcohol for as long as possible.

Aliesha Newman (Collingwood) talks about her experiences in standing strong against peer pressure and making wise decisions as an teenager, including delaying drinking alcohol until she was 18 years of age.  She encourages women to abstain from drinking alcohol when planning a pregnancy, while pregnant and when breastfeeding and highlights how positive role models can help inspire kids, reflecting on her role as a positive influence for children now.

Michael O’Loughlin (former player, Sydney) reflects on the people who influenced him growing up and the choices he made that lead to his successful AFL career, including getting a good education, training hard and setting goals.  Michael recognises the need for community support and education to assist women not to drink during pregnancy and the positive role we can all play in that education process.

In his second video, Michael talks about the importance of drive, determination and making sacrifices in order to reach your goals and how Indigenous culture provides kids with strength and resilience in their life.  He recognises that a good education is also essential to achieving these goals.