Changing the face of alcohol
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Pam Clarke has launched the municipality’s new alcohol cultural change project amid the colour and fun of Kannamaroo Festival.
Cr Clarke launched the Youth C.A.N. Project at Sawyer Park, encouraging people to ‘think before they drink’.
“There is plenty of fun to be had without having to drink excessively,” she said.
“The launch was a great opportunity for teens, parents, and members of the community to find out what the Vichealth Culture Change Initiative is all about while having fun trying out hip-hop dancing, practising handball target and playing colour powder wars.”
Youth C.A.N. is part of VicHealth’s Alcohol Culture Change program, led by Horsham Rural City Council with support from Federation University.
Council’s community services director Kevin O’brien said the project’s overall goal was to shift the current cultural norm away from one of highrisk drinking, linked to peer pressure.
He also discouraged parents from supplying alcohol to their children. “The main aim of the project is to reduce pressure to drink, provide alternatives to high-risk drinking and to achieve shifts in perceptions that the purpose of parties and gatherings is to drink excessively,” he said.
In the next 18 months, Youth C.A.N. will deliver a suite of projects including an arts and theatre performance program; a social media campaign; consolidation of school curriculum to ensure consistent messages about alcohol are shared; a parent network; and alternative alcohol-free activities for Horsham and district teenagers.
A design competition involving members of the public and schools attracted more than 30 entries.
The project’s youth advisory group members selected Paris Fiedler from Horsham College’s year eight Viscom class as the winner.
Paris designed a Youth C.A.N. – Changing Alcohol Norms – logo.
People can call the council’s alcohol cultural chance project officer Annie Mintern on 0418 648 815 or email annie. mintern@hrcc.vic.gov.au to become involved in Youth C.A.N.