The ‘Our Stories’ campaign features local Aboriginal health champions yarning about their personal journeys of cutting back on sugary drinks and creating healthier environments for Aboriginal communities.
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and 17 other leading health bodies working on Rethink Sugary Drink are behind the campaign.
Three advertisements have run for two months on regional WIN television in Victoria and will be shared widely on social media by health and community organisations.
The advertisements feature Michelle Crilly, a young Yorta Yorta woman and Uncle Daryl Smith, a Wiradjuri Yorta Yorta man, sharing their inspiring healthy lifestyle journeys, and Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative showcases leadership in going water only.
Michelle Crilly shares her experience in making the choice to switch from sugary drinks to water. “I was driving home one day, probably about three years ago. I was 20, and I had some chest pain. And being so young I got really worried,” Ms Crilly said.
“I used to be addicted to Slurpees. I’d also drink about 4-5 cans of soft drink every day… [Now] I exercise every day and I don’t have as much anxiety and I don’t feel depressed anymore.”
In the advertisement, Michelle urges others in the Aboriginal community to follow her lead. “Keep going with your healthy lifestyle changes. It doesn’t happen overnight but eventually it will become a part of your daily routine,” she said.
Cut back on sugary drinks and keep our kids, families and communities healthy and strong.
Check out Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative’s story here.
For more information contact the VACCHO Nutrition team or phone (03) 9411 9411.
Submit your story!