Tiwi Islands Hike for Health
Update
17 Jul 2026
Prior to departing for the Tiwi Islands, I showed the team at Drug ARM the colourful screenprinting for which the islands are famous. I'm going to the islands in the Timor Sea to showcase the community that embraces sport without alcohol, the grand final that each year brings the whole mob home. In doing so I'm raising money for Drug ARM's Street Outreach Service which is largely self-funded, so your donation goes directly to keeping these vans on the streets, to help people make better decisions. Please don't wait and donate and share this link with others.
Update
15 Jul 2026
Here’s The Honourable John Mickel, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, this week admiring traditional Tiwi Islands art that I brought back from a previous visit. John is honoured to support my #TiwiIslandsHikeforHealth in which I’m attending the Tiwi Islands football grand final to highlight the community that knows a healthy sport can be celebrated without an unhealthy mix of alcohol. I’m raising money for the charity Drug ARM to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs. More than 50% of intimate partner homicides involve alcohol use, and yet alcohol companies still advertise their products as tools of sporting celebration after which domestic violence spikes. Please share this page with any like-minded people, we've got to do better! You can follow the trek on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Tiwi-Islands-Hike-for-Health/61589988107282/
Update
12 Jul 2026
I caught up with Ipswich councillor David Martin who is a non-drinker, and we talked about a new book and my charity trek. This month I’m going to the Tiwi Islands football grand final where alcohol is not needed by the community to enjoy fantastic sports events. Sport is promoted for its health benefits, but alcohol is a carcinogen, causing at least seven types of cancer, so it doesn’t make sense for the two to mix. Please share this page so others to make their tax-deductible donation to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs. Follow the Tiwi Islands Hike for Health via its Facebook page.
Update
05 Jul 2026
This week I was delighted to catch up with Hon. Pat Comben AM, former Queensland Minister for Education and Minister for Environment and Heritage, for a pre-launch signing of his latest book, “Queensland’s Temperance Story: A Faithful Struggle.” Pat is supporting my Tiwi Islands Hike for Health for which this month I’m going to the Timor Sea to showcase that the best of healthy sport can be celebrated without the counterproductive harms of alcohol. In Australia 6,000 babies are born every year with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), 80% of children in the criminal justice system have FASD, and yet there is still no compulsory alcohol warning label and there’s unbridled alcohol advertising during live sport. We need to protect our children better. This work needs your help so please share this page with your family and friends, and follow "Tiwi Islands Hike for Health" to support Drug ARM educate and reduce such fully preventable harms.
Update
21 Jun 2026
Over the weekend I was privileged to share in celebrating the AFL debut of a fine young man dedicated to hard work and a health regime focused on helping him be the best that he can be.
Sport participation is fantastic in driving health, but the alcohol culture that can surround it is not, and television often promotes bad decisions. Alcohol advertising is supposed to be restricted during family viewing times, but the screens are awash with it for our kids during live sport. There’s a spike in domestic violence during those sporting times, up by 40% on State of Origin nights, so families suffer most.
Next month I’m going to the Tiwi Islands football grand final 2.5 hours by ferry north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. It’s a much-loved dry grand final and I’m spreading the word that sport can be enjoyed best in a safe and healthy environment for our kids. I’m also raising funds for the charity Drug ARM that works to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs. Let’s all help others be the best that they can be by sharing this page so that others can make a tax-deductible donation here today.
Update
31 May 2026
This week I was on hand with Jason the co-ordinator of Drug ARM’s Street Outreach Service, and Alex the Senior Manager for Public Relations, as they took delivery of a new Street Outreach van.
In July I’m heading to the Tiwi Islands football grand final to raise awareness and money for Drug ARM. Alcohol ads reinforce the idea that alcohol consumption is a routine activity associated with sport. Domestic violence increases by 40% on State of Origin nights. People need to make better decisions.
The Drug ARM charity works to improve the lives of people affected by alcohol and other drugs. Its Street Outreach Service is a mobile alcohol and other drug health service providing a vital outreach of care and compassion to those who need it most.
Please make your tax-deductible donation and share with your friends. You can follow our progress on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589988107282
DONATIONS8
Sofia Peacock
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
$ 50
Dear Hazza, Supporting you all the way 🙌 ❤️😘
Dear Hazza, Supporting you all the way 🙌 ❤️😘
$ 50
Maria Mike
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
$ 50
$ 50
Lynda Porter
Sun, 5 Jul 2026
$ 50
$ 50
Helene Wiley
Fri, 3 Jul 2026
$ 20
Have an amazing time!
Have an amazing time!
$ 20
Anonymous
Sun, 21 Jun 2026
$ 30
$ 30
Supporter
Sun, 31 May 2026
$ 250
Sport can be loved without adding the health risks of alcohol - just look at footy on the Tiwi Islands. Well done for this trek highlighting the healthy fun that can be had!
Sport can be loved without adding the health risks of alcohol - just look at footy on the Tiwi Islands. Well done for this trek highlighting the healthy fun that can be had!
$ 250
