Founder of national charity Sober in the Country and Maules Creek resident Shanna Whan has been named as the ‘Local Hero’ for NSW.
Mrs Whan was previously announced among the finalists for the honour which is one of the categories in the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year Awards.
At a ceremony in Sydney’s Luna Park, state award winners were announced in the presence of Her Excellency, Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley AC QC.
As the winner of the award, Mrs Whan is now in the running for the Local Hero honour at a national level.
In previous years, the national award winners have been announced on the eve of Australia Day, usually in the evening on January 25.
Mrs Whan said to be announced the winner of the NSW Local Hero at the Australian of the Year awards is a validation and acknowledgement of work that people already know to be essential and critical for those in rural communities.
“What this now means for our charity is serious credibility and clout with a wider and more far-reaching audience. And that is priceless, so of course we will make the most of that boost in status,” she said.
“I don’t do what I do for recognition or reward. I do it because it’s how lives are changed and saved. And I do it because it’s desperately overdue.
“In all honesty I’ve had to fight extremely hard for a long time for those we represent – and because the topic of alcohol abuse in the bush is a tricky one, people have been quick to make assumptions about who we are and what we do. Once they understand we aren’t anti-alcohol/prohibitionists … but rather all about social change and inclusion …. they take the time to be better informed.
“What I’ve learned is that when you pioneer conversations and change it is ultimately a pure relentless work of faith and passion … and it’s basically just bloody hard work for years and years on end; and mostly it’s invisible.
“As someone who has been invisible within my own community for many years because I’m not ‘a normal’ country woman who could have children or someone who can socialise over a glass of wine …. and because I don’t fit the mould …. I understand being socially excluded firsthand.
Mrs Whan said her wish and burning, heartfelt desire is that no other rural person is ever outcast or ostracised for their choice to be a non-drinker.
She particularly praised her family’s enduring support.
“My local family and my husband Tim have supported me in the face of much adversity for a long time, and I’m deeply grateful they always knew and believed in the me that alcohol stole along the way.”
“My wish is that there’s a future rural Australia in which we cater for and include our mates no matter what drink they’re holding. It is beyond time we evolved,” Mrs Whan said.
“I am deeply honoured to fight for and represent this group of overlooked and remarkable warriors within our communities – and they’re who I get up and show up every day to advocate for. For now I’m excited to get home to Maules Creek, see my dogs, and sleep.”
Mrs Whan’s nomination citation says she single-handedly created radical social impact and change around how people discuss and use alcohol in rural Australia.
When Mrs Whan almost lost her life to alcohol addiction in 2015, giving up drinking was just the start.
What began as volunteer work to help others locally, evolved into a grassroots charity called Sober in the Country (SITC) which now has a national reach and offers peer support, powerful broadscale advocacy and education.
Mrs Whan donated about 20,000 hours to the cause and now travels on invitation as the spokesperson for SITC.
She has appeared on multiple major national media platforms, in person, in paddocks and at conferences.
She courageously shared her harrowing journey to sobriety on Australian Story in 2019.
Now, through the national charity, the 47-year-old is amplifying the essential, life-saving message and charity campaign that it is always “OK to say no” to booze.
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