Australian Story: June 6

Australian Story profiles Shanna Whan, founder of outback charity Sober in the Country.

I really need our government to listen, to hear, to act and ensure we create sustainable, actionable change.” – Shanna Whan, Sober in the Country.

“People like Shanna really epitomise what Australians expect from a local hero, somebody who is just going to go hard, follow their passions, and not let anything stand in their way.” Fiona Simson, National Farmers Federation.

Australian Story goes on the road to Canberra with the woman who was named “Local Hero” in this year’s Australian of the Year awards.

Shanna Whan is founder of outback charity Sober in the Country, which aims to change the culture around booze in the bush.

Having transformed her own life from a long period as a self-described “small town drunk,” she is now using her new public profile to take a strong message to Australia’s political leader.

“It has been really difficult to see how resistant to change our very own leaders are,” she told the program.

“But it goes to show the power that alcohol has over leadership in this country. Big alcohol is a big funder of everything from sports sponsorship to political donations.”

With the Australian Story crew in tow, Shanna visits Parliament House, government departments and farming leaders to push for funding of tele-health detox programs for people in isolated areas who are struggling with alcohol.

Will she get what she wants?

8pm Monday on ABC.