A mocktail ‘fun-raiser’ will be a highlight of this coming weekend’s Cringe the Binge campaign in the Bay, with Byron mayor Simon Richardson shaking up a storm.
It’s the second annual Cringe the Binge weekend aimed at reversing youth binge drinking in a town that many believe has been overwhelmed by the problem.
The event, at the Byron Community Centre on Friday evening from 6pm, is timed to focus adults’ awareness on the issue ahead of schoolies’ celebrations.
Tragically five young Aussies die each week from alcohol-related causes and, with Byron itself heavily monitored by the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing because of high levels of alcohol-related violence, the mayor’s actions may be a recipe for reducing harm.
There will also be a range of events for teens, including a youth gig also on Friday night from 6.30pm at the Byron Youth Activity Centre. The Slurpee Mash Up will feature local performers Oren Selecta, Quasi Smith, Three Little Sisters, and DJ Victor Lopez, for $5 entry with free slurpee included. Free food and fun! Awesome door prizes including Afends, Pig House Flicks, Street Sushi, and more.
Meanwhile the adult fun-raiser will include a performance by the Byron Youth Theatre group and local soul diva Lisa Hunt will grace the event with some tunes. Canapes and mocktails will be prepared and served by the Byron Youth Service (BYS) hospitality crew in partnership with North Coast Institute of TAFE.
Door prizes include two tickets to Uplift Festival and two to Mullum Music Festival! All funds raised will help support actions to reduce alcohol-related harms.
Cringe the Binge is an initiative of BYS, and director Di Mahoney said, ‘Mixing up summer celebrations with non-alcoholic beverages helps to avoid intoxication, and the associated dangers. We want all our young visitors to keep safe and have a great time while in Byron.’
If you’d like to support Cringe the Binge but can’t attend any of the National Weekend of Action events, jump on the website and get out your credit card. There’s a great weekend in Byron up for grabs for one lucky entrant.
BYS leadership is to be commended on the “Cringe the Binge” program.
It proves that “getting so pissed that you can’t remember the night before” does not have to equate with having a fun and enjoyable time.
It is unfortunate that the same degree of sensible and responsible restraint is not exhibited by the liquor industry that floods the community with all pervasive and uninvited liquor advertising and promotions.
The ready availability of grog cheaper than some bottled water in large discount liquor outlets and its rapid substantial consumption unfortunately makes BYS job that much more difficult.
We all including the government, need to fall behind and support this program