By NICOLE VALICEK
ALTONA North resident Georgie Mitchell enjoys having an alcoholic beverage and that’s one of the reasons she is determined to stay dry this month.
The 47-year-old is participating in FebFast – a charity movement which challenges its participants to take a 28 day break from alcohol, sugar, caffeine or technology to raise funds for youth addiction.
Georgie is the Rear Commodore of the Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club and organises all of the social events.
She said the club has quite a strong sporting culture, so she is trying to bring about change and encourage a healthier relationship with alcohol throughout the club.
“I thought it would be a great challenge and great example to others,” she said.
“We don’t encourage alcohol, but like any other sporting club alcohol is a huge part of it so it’s showing other members you can still have a good time and buy drinks at the bar without consuming alcohol when events are on.”
According to new research from FebFast “bad habits are becoming addictions, impacting on our health and costing the average Australian close to $4000 a year”.
Drinking too much alcohol was the habit of most concern to Australian society.
Georgie admits having a beer or wine every night when she gets home from work is “normal”.
“It is a lifelong habit to reach for a cold beer, going forward the challenge is going to be running so many events at the yacht club (and abstaining from alcohol).”
Georgie said the challenge will be difficult but she is motivated to succeed by her work mates and the cause.
“I’m not expecting it but I’m hoping old habits will be broken and it’s not an automatic thing (to reach for a drink). To donate to Georgie visit http://my.febfast.org/PersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=683723.
