An Australia Day Message from Mike McKay, Sport Australia Hall of Fame Ambassador to DrinkWise.

Mike McKay celebrated Olympic rowing champion and Sport Australia Hall of Fame Ambassador to DrinkWise believes good role modelling will go a long way in providing young Australians the best chance of reaching their full potential.

“The Australia Day weekend is an opportunity to reflect on our drinking culture and what we can do as individuals in shaping a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia. While I understand most Australians drink in moderation, we do have a culture of drinking too much and too young.”

“By all means, have a couple of drinks and enjoy the Australia Day holiday with your family and friends, however, be conscious that we are not off duty as parents and role modelling is particularly important when we are celebrating, because kids absorb our drinking,” Mr McKay said.

The Hon. Trish Worth, Chair of the Board of DrinkWise Australia said “We know that kids will form their attitudes towards alcohol long before they have had their first drink. Parents and other significant adults are far more influential than they realise.”

“Changing our drinking culture will not happen overnight and there are no silver bullets. This is why DrinkWise has adopted a long term generational approach, so that drinking too much and too young is not the social norm.”

“So, when making your celebration plans for this Australia Day weekend, please consider that kids absorb your drinking. We can all play a role in shaping a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia,” Ms Worth said.

Education is at the heart of the DrinkWise activities, providing expert advice and practical tips to support the community (and parents in particular) to model responsible drinking behaviour.