Indigenous education around alcohol is an important focus for DrinkWise.  DrinkWise provides financial and in-kind support for a number of different programs and initiatives, utilising a tailored broadcast and targeted approach.

Education resources

DrinkWise has produced a series of educational videos, featuring well-known Indigenous personalities and sports stars, Shaun Burgoyne, Tim Kelly, Deborah Mailman, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Aliesha Newman, Michael O’Loughlin and Aaron Pedersen.  These videos have been produced for educational use and have been successfully integrated into school and community programs, as well as Indigenous medical practices.

The videos cover a broad range of topics such as peer pressure, the developing teenage brain, delaying alcohol consumption (until at least 18 years of age), positive role modelling, strength of culture, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the importance of avoiding alcohol when pregnant.

Further information about these videos, which are available for use free-of-charge, can be found here.

DrinkWise, 13YARN and Daniel Rioli working together to remind mob that advice and support is available. 

DrinkWise and 13YARN have worked together to create a new campaign featuring Richmond football premiership player Daniel Rioli to help remind Indigenous Australians that if they or someone they know is having trouble managing their alcohol consumption that advice and support is available.

According to 13YARN National Manager Aunty Marjorie Anderson, 13YARN are very proud to have worked with DrinkWise on this important initiative. “This new campaign, which will see messages on television, radio and social media, reminds us that we all need to support each other and our community without shame or judgement. It also encourages mob to get in touch with 13YARN or visit the DrinkWise website if they or someone they know is feeling worried about their alcohol use. DrinkWise ensure that the moderation and support message reach all people in the community and that’s why we’ve worked with Aboriginal athlete Daniel Rioli to ensure we reach the Aboriginal community as well. We’re really happy to be working with Daniel and DrinkWise to continue to educate and support mob,” said Aunty Marj.

If alcohol is harming you, or someone you know, please:

• Contact 13YARN – the national crisis support line offering a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Visit the Support Services page on the DrinkWise website for a list of services that can provide advice and support.

Jam Pakt

DrinkWise is a supporter of Jam Pakt, a weekly Indigenous music and health promotion radio program.  Broadcast across 284 community radio stations, Jam Pakt produces themed episodes around key health issues and features interviews with many well-known and inspirational Indigenous people.

The program is presented by mentor, educator and trainer, Jonathan Lindsay-Tjapaltjarri Hermawan, a Pintupi-Luritja man.  It provides a platform to deliver a unique mix of music, yarns and special guests, to engage with Indigenous communities on key health, education and lifestyle issues including alcohol consumption and FASD.

Jam Pakt guests to date include Deborah Mailman and Aaron Pedersen, speaking about their involvement with the DrinkWise FASD Awareness Program, as well as themed episodes for men’s health week, FASD awareness and mental health week.  You can find out more about the show here. To listen to excerpts from some of the episodes please click on the icons below.

Wanta Aboriginal Corporation

DrinkWise also supports Wanta Aboriginal Corporation to deliver alcohol education sessions in a range of remote settings across the Northern Territory. Wanta tackles the significant gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.  Wanta works with upper primary and secondary students to increase school attendance and improve educational outcomes and youth transition to vocational opportunities, through the provision of sport, recreation and cultural activities. Wanta integrates DrinkWise alcohol education (video) assets into their alcohol education sessions and as part of its Remote Cinema initiative, which travels to communities across the Northern Territory.

Red Centre AFL (past initiative)

Over several years, DrinkWise incorporated its You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise moderation messaging into Red Centre AFL games in Alice Springs.  The games, which help showcase Indigenous talent, also raise awareness and understanding of cultural and social issues in the Northern Territory.

Adelaide great Eddie Betts has spoken to Channel Seven in the past about the importance of being a role model to young Indigenous Australians and how the DrinkWise moderation message can help Indigenous people break the cycle of alcohol abuse and allow them to realise their potential.  Eddie’s story also featured in a special Red Centre edition of the Footy Record magazine, alongside the You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise moderation message.

Tim Kelly’s video, which has been used to complement program materials used in community and sporting programs, has also been included in Channel Seven’s Alice Springs AFL telecast, supported by DrinkWise messaging on goal post wraps, in the Footy Record and in AFL website editorial content.