Freedom From Deadly Addiction For Australia’s Most Vulnerable

Australia’s most vulnerable communities are set to overcome one of their most deadly addictions – sugar – thanks to an inspirational project led by the makers of Australia’s highest grossing documentary, That Sugar Film.

 

The project – the Mai Wiru Sugar Challenge – has already been raising awareness about added sugar intake in one Indigenous community on the APY Lands* with plans to roll it out to four other nearby communities as soon as $800,000 in funding is secured.

 

Director and star of the film Damon Gameau said the project has the potential to cut chronic over-consumption of sugar in Indigenous communities - a massive factor in the high rates of obesity, kidney failure and type 2 diabetes.

 

“To put it simply – this project will save lives - which is why we are desperate to expand the program to nearby towns – but we need corporate heroes to help us,” Gameau said.

 

“The rate of kidney failure in Aboriginal communities is 15 times the rest of Australia, and Type 2 diabetes is three times the national average.

 

“The average life span on the APY lands is just 55 years – that’s 20 years less than the Australian average. The towns have now been alcohol free for 40 years – it’s obvious excess sugar consumption is a major problem.

 

“The Mai Wiru Sugar Challenge is all about improving health and extending life expectancy by reducing sugar consumption from the current 30% of daily energy intake to 5% (the level recommended by the World Health Organisation).”

 

“We began the program in the Pipalyatjara store 18 months ago in partnership with the existing Mai Wiru Regional Stores council which is run by local Aboriginal people – and we’re already seeing encouraging improvements.

 

“It’s all about giving locals the tools they need to change their lives, including things like a sugar teaspoon labelling system which gives greater clarity around added sugar in products.”

 

The head of Mai Wiru David Schomburgk has described it as the best initiative he’s seen on the APY Lands in forty years.

 

The Mai Wiru Sugar Challenge includes:

 

        training and employing Aboriginal nutrition advisors,

2.       collaborating with the local people on traditional foods  and re-establishing them into the meal choices and preparation,

3.       encouraging more consumption of non-processed, fresh foods,

4.       reducing or removing sugary drinks,

5.       building Good Living Cafés,

6.       providing cooking lessons, and

7.       empowering locals to teach the next generation.

Gameau has called on corporate sponsors to put up their hands and for a relatively modest amount of money change the lives of a generation of Australian kids.

 

Media Contact: Katie Ransom 0414800854

To get involved go to katie@thatsugar.com.

 

*Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) is incorporated by the 1981 Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act whereby the SA Parliament gave Aboriginal people title to more than 103,000 square kilometres of arid land in the far northwest of South Australia (For more information go to anangu.com.au).