Bush charity is opening up yarns across the outback and pioneering massive social change.

The other day, a young (stock) agent made a comment to Paul Holm that ‘’you’ve gotta' drink to be an agent!’’

Paul has heard the same refrain his whole life and grew up in that exact same culture; and while he would never judge his mates who enjoy a beer - he’s happy to be one of many rural blokes making a change for his health and his family - and he supports SITC and hopes that a few more of his industry peers will do the same, and have a go at life without quite so many hangovers.

The Elders livestock agent and manager for NT / QLD gave up grog himself for a couple of years back in 2017 and now hardly drinks at all.

He's experienced, first-hand the full gamut of comments and questions.

‘’I just have a joke these days and say that I'm just letting the rest of the world catch up for a bit ... because I was historically the one who did the biggest drinking of them all!'' Paul laughed.

Honestly, I am just starting to see what this alcohol culture is doing to myself and my peers, and the work of SITC was how I first began to truly look at it all.

''As a young bloke I grew up in the footy club culture where drinking at maximum speed and volume was as important as the game. We drank to get drunk and to see who could stay upright the longest.

''At college, I went on to be the bloke you rang if you didn’t want to drink alone.

''While graduating and pursuing my career as a stock agent I travelled around Australia from Alice Springs to Leongatha to Roma and now Toowoomba. The grog culture was always front and centre.

''A few years ago I realised I wanted a change after calculating I was having more than 60 standard drinks a week. And that was a bit of a shock.

''Using alcohol to cope with stress was clearly not a good plan for me. I was feeling unfit, overweight, and unhealthy - and I had become increasingly aware of the tragic, early deaths of some of the really big drinkers and big smokers I had grown up with - and realised I had a choice in front of me.

''So in 2017 I got off the grog for a year. A year became two - and, well, I’ve never looked back. These days, I only have a beer on rare occasions.

''For me, I sleep, function, and feel so much better without it - and I handle the pressure of my job much more easily. I am feeling fit and healthy again, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

''I still go to the pub and do life with the team, I just have soda water. It's no problem.

''The work Shanna and the SITC charity is doing is extremely important for the rural space. I was very happy to be part of amplifying their message and their work and I fully encourage others to do the same.''

{image & words shared with permission}

// ends.

Can you help us?

ARE YOU KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE / GET INVOLVED?

Great! visit soberinthecountry.org where the easiest ways you can help us reach more of our rural and isolated mates is outlined. But in a nutshell; the quickest way to help is:

> share this post

> make your own contribution

> invite SITC to your next industry function!

> kick the charity ''tin'' (remember we get absolutely no government support or funding)

> grab and wear our Trucker Caps or merchandise (the shop is online at the website)

> tell a mate who might be struggling and trying to cut back about our anonymous online peer support group The Bush Tribe

> start to cater for non-drinkers at your bush events

> stop giving your mates who are saying no thanks or 'not today' a hard time, and support them, no matter what.

** NOTE FROM SHANNA> ''This yarn came about quite by accident. I was on a Qantas flight to Alice Springs to present at the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association, and happened to be in the seat directly in front of Paul. He overheard my 'neighbour' ask what I was doing in the NT. Paul put two-and-two together and decided to reach out and was happy to share and contribute to our discussions. What an absolute LEGEND.