Moama Preschool hosting dinner with a difference

By Nicole Thomson

Jun 17, 2022

Speaker: Shanna Whan from Sober in the Country will be speaking at Moama and District Preschool’s community dinner event in October. Photo by Contributed

Moama and District Preschool’s committee is preparing for a community dinner with special guest speaker Shanna Whan from Sober in the Country.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Committee member Alison Wright says the community night out will include a two-course sit-down meal, Ms Whan as a guest speaker and live entertainment.

“We got a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal for the Tackling Tough Times Together funding, and we as a committee really wanted to give back to the community,” she said.

“(Shanna Whan) has received a number of awards for her work around Australian drinking culture and being able to have the courage to say no.”

Ms Whan is a rural woman, and the chief executive, creator and founder behind charity Sober in the Country.

She was recently announced as the 2022 ‘Australian of the Year’ Local Hero winner for her relentless leadership and community service.

In 2015 Ms Whan almost lost her life to a 25-year battle with alcohol addiction, but made it out alive, with the help of her husband, Tim, despite the enormous barriers and odds.

The couple decided to dedicate this second chance to “be the change” that was so desperately needed in the booze-worshipping culture synonymous with the outback.

The dinner will be held on Friday, October 21 at Moama Bowling Club, with tickets available for purchase in August.

The first 150 tickets will be available for $25, and all tickets after 150 will be available for $50.

“It’s great news for our community and it’s nice to be able to give something back,” Ms Wright said.

“We’re really encouraging people from outside the preschool community to come and attend — Shanna is a very inspiring speaker, she talks from the heart.

“It will be really nice to have her down here.”