why is it called ''Sober in the Country?'' - an FAQ answered.

One of our FAQ’s and comments has always been “booze isn’t just a problem in the country, you know...?”?

?Yes. We know. I promise we know ?...

?Those who’ve been with me (and now us as a national charity) since day one back in 2015 will know that my specific aim was always to being representation to a huge demographic of overlooked people who have previously had almost none. ?

???That’s why the name is Sober in the Country. ?

???Globally and at a national level we are inundated with sobriety writers and celebrities and “influencers” (you all hopefully by now know how much I loathe that word ) .... but nobody really truly looks at the 4% who feed the rest of the nation. ?

???Including our own government and leadership.?

?So I did. And I do. ?And now WE as a national charity do.?

???I live in rural Australia, and I’ve done so most of my life. I love it. And I know it inside out.

I've also (conveniently) lived the story of nearly dying and then successfully recovering from a pretty bad case of invisible alcoholism in isolation. So I know far too well the endless and insurmountable barriers to overcoming addiction in isolation for the many just like me.

???So it’s as simple as that, really.

???As SITC grows, strengthens and gains momentum I’ll keep asking in the national media and further afield why the hard working men and women who live in isolation continue to be overlooked in an area that we’ve proven over and over again to be in need of urgent attention, funding, and support.?

I'll continue to ask why our taxpayer dollars are considered wisely invested by the millions into national inquiries around methamphetamines because of the 'unacceptable scourge they are to regional and rural communities' - and yet when it comes to booze? Crickets.....

???My philosophy has always been this: if hard working men and women on the land are happy to keep getting up and showing up in floods and fires and times like the horrific soul crushing decade of drought many of us have just endured or may never recover from .... but still valiantly strive and go about their business of feeding and clothing the rest of the nation (any hard working rural Aussie is directly or indirect involved in that process) well, they’re good enough for equality in services, yes??

???And that’s not happening. Believe me.?

???I’ve spent years petitioning and speaking to state and federal leadership and asking questions. Offering to collaborate.? I've been a rural woman of the year finalist and a regional woman of the year finalist. Which to be honest, means nothing to me without action at the back end. They're just hollow accolades, in the end.

???The responses (if any) are apathetic, lacking in sincerity, and completely absent of any awareness that without sustainable rural Australians we don’t have a sustainable rural Australia. Which means nobody eats or enjoys their freedoms and luxuries. ?

Simplistic explanation, sure. But a bit of a problem.... wouldn't you agree? But it's too easily ignored, forgotten about and overlooked. Is it a case of ''out of sight out of mind?''

I don't know.

But it's not good enough, and that is the “WHY” behind our name 'Sober in the Country' - it is for specific and intentional reasons.

Funnily enough ... five years ago some big heavyweight marketing exec told me it was a bad name because the word sober was 'far too confronting' and I smiled sweetly and told that gentleman I'd take it on board. Not for one moment did I. I didn't believe it then, and I don't believe it now. Not because I am arrogant or unteachable, or even a marketing expert or a global influencer.

But because the truth is the truth, and the truth resonates, and wins - no matter what.

I have no intention of fluffing about with this. Because speaking truth is saving lives. So if that's my purpose - and I know it is - I'll always get straight to the point.

I am not here to win friends and influence people and chase easy votes. I do what I do because it must be done. I once presumed this to be a natural part of leadership qualities. Now, I am wiser.

If this post makes sense to you feel entirely free to share - rural lives are being saved through our conversations, and we aren't too proud to ask you to help us do that.

Shanna x

Shanna Whan | CEO, Founder, Creator.

Please come visit us at www.soberinthecountry.org if you haven't yet - everything we stand for and do is clearly outlined. Our Australian Story episode and all our media is there. And even better ... if you can help us be the change that is needed, well please feel free to do that, too. We have tax deductible national charity status - and it's a piece of cake to do it online through the website. Takes you 2 minutes. We are now by choice independent of Government - and funded solely through community and people like you. x