PLANS to ban parents from drinking at school functions is just plain old common sense.
The Australian Drug Foundation yesterday launched a campaign to encourage schools to adopt “alcohol management strategies” to stop children getting the wrong message from their parents.
Adults would be banned from drinking at school concerts, discos, fetes, sports days and graduation nights.
But Parents Victoria claim the drinking ban is too strict, particularly when many schools sell alcohol for fundraising.
Australian Education Union Victorian president Mary Bluett also said parents should be role models for responsible drinking in front of their children.
While some may claim it is one step further along the nanny state track, why is there a need to drink alcohol at children’s events? Surely these are occasions that call for a sense of family, rather than a need for Fosters?
Responsible drinking certainly has its place but do people need to drink all the time? And what if people don’t drink responsibly at a school function? Having the police march in to arrest an unruly parent may not be the best advertising for that particular educational facility.
There are times to drink and there are times to put the stubbies back on ice for a few hours.
Successful end to season
Saturday’s Ballarat Football Netball League grand finals showcased one of our town’s premier sporting facilities at its best.
The Eastern Oval was in prime condition for the event, which attracted a record crowd of 6400 to see a slightly one-sided game between Redan and Sunbury, with the eastern Lions running out easy winners.
Two of the four netball grand finals went down to the wire while the main event between perennial finalists Lake Wendouree and Melton showcased some outstanding skills, particularly from the dominant Lakers.
The sun shone and there were very few incidents to trouble the police as season 2012 across the region drew to a very successful conclusion.
Now let’s hope for a close and exciting AFL grand final this Saturday, with Hawks Brad Sewell, Isaac Smith and Clinton Young and Swans Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes all helping to fly the Ballarat flag.
