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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-23 Daily Xml
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VIBE ALIVE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about efforts to educate school students of the harm caused by alcohol usage at a young age.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: While welcoming students from all backgrounds, the Vibe Alive festival focuses on encouraging positive life choices for students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. Will the minister advise the council about the recent Vibe Alive festival held at Port Augusta and the opportunity it afforded to educate young people about the harms of under-age drinking?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:51): Vibe Alive is a two-day festival for young Australians of all backgrounds. It combines music, sport, art, education and healthy living in a high energy, youth friendly setting. Vibe Alive allows students to sing, dance, play, create and learn in an environment where they can express themselves, share their talents and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Participants also have the opportunity to explore healthy living and career options, as well as boost literacy and numeracy skills.

Last month's festival was held at Port Augusta on 5 and 6 August. It was a sell-out success, with 1,600 students attending from across South Australia—from as far afield as Coober Pedy and Alice Springs. Representatives from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner and DASSA attended the festival and had an opportunity to engage with students in a friendly and relaxed environment. They were able to talk about the dangers of alcohol usage at a young age.

The students were provided with plenty of giveaways, such as wrist bands, iPod holders, and so on. To demonstrate how alcohol can affect everyday life, students were given 'beer goggles', which simulate a blood alcohol reading of 0.05, and were then asked to participate in interactive games. The games involved computer car racing games (where students had to stay on track) and throwing stress footballs to each other. The students reported great difficulty in achieving the tasks with the goggles on and were surprised at how much a blood alcohol content of 0.05 could affect their functioning.

Supported by the state and commonwealth governments, the Vibe Alive festival was produced by Vibe Australia, an Aboriginal media, communications and event management agency that organises festivals throughout Australia. The Vibe Alive festival was a great success and, given the opportunity, this government will support future festivals.

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