Principal's Blog

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Shining a positive light

Monday 17 June 2013

During May this year, a rare positive article featuring young people and about young people appeared in the Herald Sun, written by Aaron Langmaid. Five students aged from 18 to 23 were interviewed about their attitudes to alcohol. They were clearly carefully selected and came from a wide range of suburbs across Melbourne.

The interview was in response to a debate about the legal age for drinking alcoholic beverages being raised to 21 years. A nation-wide coalition of community groups was planning to host a national forum in Canberra to discuss ways to stop the spiral of alcohol abuse and thus assist in changing personal as well as social attitudes.

Deakin University’s Professor John Toumbourou, a keynote speaker at the forum, told the Herald Sun it was time to act. “This is something that any state or territory could act on independently but it’s hoped that a Federal Government policy, potentially tied to road funding, would encourage states to fall into line,” he said.

Professor Toumbourou said the latest national household drug survey showed more than half of Australians would support the move. “What many don’t understand is that we have much higher rates of alcohol and drug use in young adults compared to the US,” he said.

The young people quoted in the article had a range of reasons for not wanting to be involved in a culture of alcohol:

“I’ve seen what it does to people and I don't want to get like that."
Steve, 18

"I've never been drunk. I live by the philosophy that I wouldn't do things in an inhibited way."
Shonet, 23

"I see little value in getting drunk with the associated ramifications. There are more benefits to not drinking at all."
Nick, 21

“I used to drink but I stopped when I was 19. I realised I didn’t want to do it anymore. I have more fun sober.”
Gina, 20

“I’ve drunk once before but didn’t see the point. People my age seem only to drink to get blind. I wanted to show others that it’s not something you have to do.”
Mitchell, 21

It is inspiring to know that for every young person quoted there would be many others who share their view. It is also pleasing to see the media emphasising the positive aspects of young adulthood. Regardless of where adults stand in relation to alcohol, it would be rare for us not to agree on wanting the best for our children and young adults.

This week may be the final for Term 2 but there are many activities occurring around the School. Thursday sees the second of this term’s Senior School Music Recitals, and gymnasts in both the Junior School and the Senior School look forward to their respective House Gymnastics competitions. Also, we farewell 16 girls in Years 10 and 11 and two members of staff who are leaving for Nicaragua and Costa Rica on Wednesday for their World Challenge Trip. We wish them – and the whole School community – a safe and happy holiday.

Dr Sylvia Walton AO
Principal

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