September 2017
An unprecedented number of innovative and creative events held to raise awareness about FASD.
The 9th month, the 9th day, the 9th hour – all the ‘nines’ were used to mark and acknowledge the importance of the nine months of pregnancy being alcohol free. NOFASD would like to thank and acknowledge the people across Australia who made interesting and informative events about FASD come alive in their towns and cities.
Highlights included an information flower cart about alcohol and pregnancy in Westfield’s Pitt Street Sydney Mall.
Queensland FASD Symposium
A Queensland FASD Symposium and an organisation wide in-service for staff of the Child Nutrition Team at Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands Women’s Council. Staff members participated in a quiz, challenged misconceptions around the behaviours of people with FASD through a mix and match activity, used play dough to mould the physical effects of alcohol on a developing brain and were made to ‘walk the line’ wearing beer goggles to reflect on the effects alcohol may have on a growing fetus.
Albany FASD Symposium
Albany, in WA, held a Flash Mob event at the Farmers Market thanks to Market Coordinator Ian Haines. The organisers were members of the Albany Youth Advisory Council (YAK), backed by the City of Albany and the WA Country Health Service – Great Southern region. The flash mob of pregnant men and women attracted the attention of many.
Alice Springs FASD Symposium
In Alice Springs, the Central Australian FASD Network comprising 20-member agencies took the opportunity to launch a 3 year strategic plan to promote collaboration and service integration and the Australian Government announced $8 million in funding for new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic and prevention services around Australia.
9 Year Old Girl FASD hosting
Faith a 9 year old girl living with FASD hosted a fete to raise awareness of FASD.
Geraldton FASD Symposium
Radio MAMA – an Aboriginal community driven radio program based in Geraldton and Carnarvon set up a stall on the 9/9 at the Carnarvon markets, with the help of medical students from the Rural Clinical School of WA and discussed FASD, answered community questions and record radio announcements surrounding FASD were played on Radio MAMA
Other Notable Events
QLD FASD SUPPORT GROUP invited parents and carers to join them for a coffee and play morning get together on the 9th September at 9am.
Brighter Futures in Cobar NSW hosted a morning picnic in the local park to create awareness about FASD and the importance of alcohol free pregnancy on Tuesday 5th September for FASD awareness
There were many more events and together they raised awareness community wide. Media stories were generated across Australia because of the actions were undertaken by NOFASD network members, supporters and others working to prevent alcohol exposed pregnancies and ensure that FASD is visible and understood as a disability. One organiser commented that she had a conversation about FASD with a young passer-by who said that she thought 3 glasses of wine a day was the upper limit of consumption – highlighting the importance of nation-wide efforts to ensure a simple and clear message that for women who are pregnant, planning or could be – no alcohol is the safest choice.
