‘Proud’: Aussie stars reveal new role

Indigenous stars Baker Boy and Daniel Rioli dominate the stage and the field and now the two role models are backing a new campaign designed to help the next generation of youngsters make their own mark.

Appearing in two separate videos launched on Thursday, Baker Boy and Rioli both warn against underage drinking and the pitfalls of peer pressure, with their words and insights directed at Indigenous teens.

“Some time it’s really hard to say ‘no’ to peer pressure,” Baker Boy, whose real name is Danzal Baker, says in the video.

“Because you would mistake it as, ‘it’s the cool thing to do. I want to hang out with the cool kids.’

“You might think it’s cool, but it’s a lot cooler to stay true to yourself and be proud of who you are.

“The only cool thing a person could ever do, is just say ‘no’ to peer pressure.”

Mr Rioli, who grew up in the Tiwi Islands and now plays as a defender for the Richmond Football Club, encouraged youngsters to hold off on alcohol consumption before the age of 18.

“I had a dream and that was to be healthy and fit and strong,” he said.

“I had a goal to play AFL footy and to get there was to eat right and not touch alcohol.

“You can make that choice, whether you drink alcohol or not, when you turn 18. Let your brain develop.

“Make sure you wait, you are still young. You’ve got a lot of time to be a kid and still play with your mates.”

The videos form a core part of a new educational campaign from DrinkWise, with material developed for students and teachers to help Indigenous teens make healthy choices around alcohol.

Indigenous Australians Minister and NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is backing the campaign.

“The power of role models in shaping attitudes can’t be understated and I congratulate DrinkWise on their new campaign,” she said on Thursday.

“I want every young person out there to know there are people they can talk to if they feel pressured to underage drink, including through 13YARN.”

DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan said education would help the next generation make healthy choices and Indigenous role models could drive the message home.

“These resources do not imply that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people require additional education on alcohol and the impact it can have on an individual, family or community, but they support the feedback from First Nations experts, which is that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel more culturally safe when they see themselves reflected in learning materials,” he said.

“We are proud to partner with Baker Boy and Daniel Rioli and incredible organisations including Richmond Football Club’s centre for Indigenous leadership Korin Gamadji, 13YARN, Indigenous clinical psychologists, Indigenous artist and graphic designers and young mob to incorporate community expertise, understanding and experience into educational materials.”

The material has already delivered a positive impact.

One Indigenous students said she felt she could “achieve anything I set my mind to” after watching the Baker Boy video.

“The main message of the video, it teaches me, don’t be ashamed, and don’t let negative thoughts hold you back,” she said.