Going the distance for a better bush culture!

Almost 18 months ago I made the decision to cut back on my drinking habits from a level that was impacting my mental well-being and affecting my performance as a person.

After meeting SITC founder, Shanna Whan, I became aware of how I had previously failed to understand it is #OK2SAYNO. As a leader, I thought it was important my team members enjoyed a drink on days off because of the socially accepted belief that you can’t have fun if you’re not drinking.

Speaking with Shan, I immediately became aware of why my peers who chose not to drink or to drink less in a social setting couldn’t enjoy themselves. It wasn’t because they weren’t having a beer at all, it was because I was making them feel uncomfortable by pressuring them to have a drink. I had failed as a leader and more importantly, I had failed as a friend. 

On the 24th of April, I am running the Geelong Half Marathon - something I never would’ve dreamed of doing, had I not made a decision to change my habits. As well as raising some money for SITC, I want to start some more important conversations around rural Australia’s relationship with grog.

SITC is not trying to eliminate grog from the bush and I myself enjoy a drink. SITC is striving to establish a more inclusive social environment in some of the most remote parts of our country. At the end of the day, SITC is helping us to be better mates for our mates who need us.

More information about Sober in the Country Ltd: We're a bush not-for-profit going upstream to save lives through our #OK2SAYNO campaign, straight-talk advocacy & alcohol awareness, and a safe hub for mates to have a yarn.