Community Takes Action

L-R: Ray Carrall - YWCA, Blake Davies, Matthew Temby - Bomaderry Swamp Rats, and Ben Hornby - St George Illawarra

A community development project which takes an holistic approach to developing sustainable grass roots action to reduce antisocial and crime related behaviour of 12-24 year olds related to the abuse of alcohol.

Our current project DRINK Y-ise 'Thinking Drinking' is a joint partnership campaign between the YWCA Shoalhaven & the St George Illawarra Dragons RLFC. It explores alcohol consumption and the repercussions associated with choices people make when they choose to drink - or not.

A key element of this innovative campaign has been the production of a 30 sec Television Commercial featuring the Thinking Drinking Campaign with the Illawarra Dragons. The ad is currently being aired on South East Regional TV. (Include link to attached TVC)

A recent seminar conducted by the YWCA featured the legendary Ben Hornsby from the Dragons who was on hand to discuss the side affects of excessive alcohol consumption and gave his own personal perspective on how alcohol affects the performance of a professional athlete. The aim was to provide Illawarra Dragon players who are role models for many young people in the area, with constructive suggestions regarding alcohol consumption and to ultimately curb the current binge drinking epidemic.

The YWCA is delighted with the partnership between the YWCA & the Dragons. It is to the Dragons credit that they are seeking to lead the way in presenting a responsible example to the Rugby League Community when it comes to alcohol. DRINK Y-ise 'Thinking Drinking' has also been presented to St Georges Basin Dolphins, Berry - Shoalhaven Heads Magpies & the Nowra Warriors. The program is to be rolled out to more clubs in the forthcoming season.

Contact Person:
Ray Carrall - 02 4423 8502