Ambassadors

Andrew Lauterstein – Australian Championship Swimmer

"I’m very happy and excited to be an ambassador for Ocsober. I have very fond memories of The Life Ed Van from school and I feel privileged to be in a position in which I can help raise awareness for this great cause."

Craig Huggins "Huggy" – Mornings announcer Gold 104.3 Melbourne – Afternoons Announcer Cruise 1323, Adelaide

"Having two young children myself, I do think there's never too much guidance and advice we can give them on their journey through life. Mine, like most kids, emulate what their parents do. I live a clean and healthy life which I hope will encourage them to do the same. Being an Ambassador for Ocsober is a privilege I hope will in turn help others."

Dr Fiona Wood AM – 2005 Australian of the Year – Director of the Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit

“We all need to understand the impact of the choices we make to our own health and the community as a whole. Then we need to accept the individual responsibility for our choices. Ocsober may make someone somewhere think and change the direction of their life.”

Lisa Wilkinson – Co-host Channel Nine's Today Show

“Life Education is a great cause and a really effective way to educate our kids about the dangers of excessive alcohol use.  And whose body couldn't do with a break while supporting such a good cause?  You don't need to drink to be the life of the party!”

Jonathan Pease – Co-host Australia’s Next Top Model

‘"I used to get knocked by my mates for choosing not to drink much as a teenager. Sadly over the years I've seen some of them loose everything to alcohol.

I don't drink much these days so for me Ocsober was a pretty easy commitment. I find myself spending less time in pubs and more time in the gym, with my friends, and in the boardroom."

Kellie Connolly – News Presenter Channel Nine

"October is one of my most social months. It's my wedding anniversary, my son's birthday and we're going on holidays. Initially I thought it would be quite a sacrifice to stop drinking for that month, but after more thought, I decided it would be a great investment in my health and making the most of a beautiful time of the year. Even one glass of alcohol can dull the senses and make you just that extra bit tired the next day. I look forward to "drinking to my health" – in other words, drinking non alcoholic drinks for the month. Life Education is a fantastic cause and I'm proud to be associated with the campaign.”

Paul Fenech – Actor / Director – Swift and Shift Couriers / Fat Pizza

‘“I think it’s a great cause and I’ll do my best to raise money to teach kids about drug and alcohol prevention.”

Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello – Co-host of SAFM’s top rating breakfast program and former Biggest Loser Contestant’

‘I'm more than happy to put down the booze for a month in aid of Life Education. It's a terrific charity that works its socks off to keep Aussie kids safe!”

Samantha Armytage – Presenter on Channel Seven's Sunrise

"Educating the next generation about the dangers of drugs and alcohol is one of the biggest challenges we, as a community, face.
Ocsober is a great way to draw attnetion and raise money, plus a month of detox prior to the silly season is a brilliant idea."

Stephanie Gilmore – Professional Surfer

‘“Like a lot of young Australians, I'm really concerned about the problem of drug and alcohol abuse. That's why I'm proud to support Ocsober. It's a great way to make a difference and it's good for you too. Please sign up for Ocsober and let's help more kids to live a safer life.”

Jodie Henry – Australian Swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist

‘“We need to promote a culture of responsible drinking to young people, and Ocsober is a great way to start.”

Emily-Jade O'Keefe – Breakfast Announcer on MMM Brisbane

‘“I thought it was cool to drink as a teenager. Little did I know how much harm every alcoholic drink was doing to my young and developing brain. I could have been a Doctor.. instead I just talk babble every day. 

Now I see my young and talented brother making the same mistakes and I feel responsible, I was not a good example. It's time to make a difference, I am thrilled Life Education are giving me this chance."

Daniel Harris – SA Redback’s Opening Batsman

“As a doctor and professional sportsman, I understand the importance of healthy living and I’m really proud to be able to support Life Education in such a proactive way. Ocsober is a fantastic initiative that not only emphasises the importance of responsible drinking, but allows parents like me to set a good example to their children, while raising much needed funds for Life Education.”

Katrina Webb OAM – Paralympic Gold Medalist

‘“Educating our children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol is vital. Life Education is at the forefront of this work. I encourage all South Australians to get behind Life Education and support Ocsober. Funds raised will help educate even more South Australian children."

Melissa Barbieri – Goal Keeper of the Australian Women’s Football Team

‘“I am doing Ocsober to show the benefits of responsible drinking to younger generations, a fun and active lifestyle doesn't need booze to liven up the party.”

Sun Park

"As a kid, I always looked forward to Harold the Giraffe visiting us at school. These memories and the anti drug and alcohol message have stayed with me to this day. This goes to show how important and influential the Life Education programs are. It is our responsibility as adults to educate the youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and to provide them with the same opportunity we had – to make choices that improve our quality of life. I am therefore proud to be an ambassador for Ocsober. And considering what it’s for- giving up my occasional glass or two for a month doesn’t seem like a huge sacrifice …!"

The Noonans

"Ocsober will be a great month to celebrate all that is great about not drinking! a chance to detox and reconnect with family and friends without alchohol and rekindle my love affair with tea and mornings without grogginess!
Being in the entertainment industry you need to keep a regular eye on alchohol consumption and i regularly declare alchohol free months for myself so this will just be one more! have fun everyone!"

Wayne Jackson – Chairman, Minter Ellison SA/NT

“Our leaders of today, in all spheres of life, should inspire our leaders of tomorrow. I am proud to support Ocsober and demonstrate that you can have fun and be even more social without the over indulgence of alcohol.”

Miss World 2009 – Sophie Lavers

"I have never been a drinker. While many of the kids at school went out and get drunk, I preferred to focus on what I wanted to achieve in dancing, singing and acting. You feel so awful the next day... I prefer an early morning run to a late night of drinking. For the past year I have been working with homeless youth as part of the 'Beauty with a Purpose' component of Miss World. The amount of kids I see 'self-medicating' themselves with drugs and alcohol is shocking. It shouldn't be happening and it needs to be stopped."

George Kapiniaris – Stand Up Comedian

"I will try my very best not to drink in october in support of Ocsober
If I do drink it wont be more than one...I prefer not to drink anyway.....As a stand up comic, alchohol and drugs really hack into your performance....your reflexes are slowed right down, your judgement becomes sloppy and you tend to slur your way through your routine. Not a good recipe for an outstanding performance. If you want to appear drunk or high on stage just try acting the part. Acting is a part of the whole job description really."

Tony Abbott – Member of Parliament

“We need to promote a culture of responsible drinking to young people across Australia. Life Education is at the forefront of this work.
I'd like to encourage you all to get behind Life Education and support Ocsober. The money you raise will help to educate even more Australian children about the dangers faced by binge drinking."

Carlos Hernandez – Australian champion soccer player

Janine Allis – Creator of Boost Juice

"As a mother of 4 children, alcohol abuse in the lives of our kids is of course a concern. I would like to think I am already an advocate for living a fit and healthy life, so being an Ocsober Ambassador is something I am proud to do and happy to grab hold of with both hands. Going without alcohol for a month is a great way to symbolise this and show young kids, adolescents and adults alike that you certainly don’t need to have an alcoholic drink to be social. Love life!"

Pru Goward – Shadow Minister for Community Services; Shadow Minister for Women

"Alcohol abuse is a major factor in domestic violence and the abuse and neglect of children. We could all do with drinking less and the safety of our families would be the better for it."

Paul Hooper – President Box Hill Hawks and radio presenter 3WBC 94.1 FM

"Ocsober is a great way to raise money for the kids as well as looking after your body. It's important to lead by example. Remaining alcohol free for a month is a challenge for some people but completely worthwhile."

Rebecca Chalon – Miss Australia WA

"Ocsober should not be a challenge to the youth of today, but sadly it is. When you reach the point where one month with no alcohol is actually a difficult task to most young people, you have to realise we have a serious issue. I believe we are portraying the wrong messages to today's teens, whereby "if you're not drunk, you're not having a good time". I am 21 years old, I love going out with my friends, and I enjoy having a drink, but alcohol does not determine how much fun I have. It is great to have a month where the focus is on the reality of what binge drinking can do to damage young, impressionable minds and bodies. As a representative of the youth, I am proud to say that I can go 30 days without drinking. I applaud and fully support Life Education's Ocsober initiative."

Cr Jean Hay AM – Mayor of Manly NSW

"Over a third of local teenagers who drank alcohol in the past week were probably supplied the intoxicating liquor by their own parents who thereby increased the risk of personal injury and even serious brain damage to their children.
As a mother and grandmother, I fully support Life Education and Ocsober."

Steve Cansdell MP – Member for Clarence

"Ocsober is a great way to become directly involved with Life Education and help promote its campaign by highlighting the problems associated with binge drinking and substance abuse. It is also a great way to reflect on our own behaviour and expectations as role models to the younger generation."

Richard Torbay MP – Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly

"Ocsober will not only help you feel better but you'll also be helping more children in your local community to be healthy, responsible citizens. Life Education has for many years done a wonderful job informing young people and giving them skills to make informed choices for the rest of their lives. I am thrilled to be able to make this very small sacrifice to help that work continue."

Alex Dean – Vega Sydney DJ

"As a nation of drinkers we need to move from a drunken culture to a drinking culture! I hope that Ocsober may make someone somewhere think and change the direction of their life. By supporting Healthy Harold & Life Education Australia through Ocsober I know I am helping give life skills to kids to enable them to handle the many pressures of life. Ocsober is a great way to draw attention to problems associated with binge drinking and raise money, plus a month of detox prior to summer."

Katie Richardson – Miss Australia 2008

“By growing up in a regional area, and also attending many functions over the past couple of years, I have seen countless people abuse drugs & alcohol. It worries me to think that young individuals rely on these substances in order to feel socially acceptable, have fun, or use them simply to fill in their spare time.
Ocsober is an awesome way to show the community that you can have fun & achieve so much more when you take drugs & alcohol out of the equation. This is a very positive campaign with very positive results!"

Steven Ciobo – Federal Member for Moncrieff

"Despite October being one of the most social months on the Gold Coast calendar with the A1 SuperGP and the NRL Grand Final, I’m honoured to be an Ocsober Ambassador and looking forward to the challenge of going alcohol-free for one month. This is a great cause and a terrific way to raise money and educate children about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. I’m happy to do anything I can to promote a culture of responsible drinking to young people across Australia - and do something for my own health in the process."

Paul Valentine – 2007 & 2008 World Top 5 Natural Bodybuilder

"Ocsober is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Life Education who provide an invaluable education to our kids about drug and alcohol abuse. Health, fitness and having a responsible approach to alcohol is part of my life – if you take part in Ocsober as a Legend you can reassess the role that alcohol plays in your daily life, improve your own health and set a good example for those closest to you."

Manuel Seisdedos – Football Director & Talent Manager

"To prosper and feel abundant you must think clearly, to think clearly you must stay Sober. Today is the start of your prosperous and abundant journey. Enjoy the ride!"

Clare Lindop – Australia’s leading female jockey

“Supporting and educating children to make sensible choices when it comes to alcohol use is very important. I’m supporting Ocsober because I think that the work Life Education do in providing this education is vital. Why not join me in a sober Ocsober.”

Dawn Fardell MP – Member for Dubbo

“While most of us enjoy a glass of wine when dining out or a cold beer at a summer barbecue, sadly alcohol abuse is a pervasive social problem that causes enormous despair and dysfunction within our community.
Domestic violence, unprotected sexual encounters and fatal traffic accidents are all too often fuelled by alcohol. Police officers, ambulance drivers and those working in our hospital emergency departments see, on a daily basis, the destructiveness of alcohol abuse.
I applaud Life Education for taking on this challenge without preaching; promoting the fact that you can have fun without drinking, while subtly reminding us of the not so glamorous side effects of alcohol consumption.”

Jeff 'the Hitman' Harding – former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion

"I’m doing Ocsober for my kids – to prove to them and myself that I can. I’ve been on the wagon for three months now but that’s almost three decades too late. This is harder than any fight I’ve ever been in. Harder than Andries, harder than Tom Collins. I had it all and I blew it all. I want young kids to understand that when you drink to fight your demons, you’re just feeding them. It’s taken me a long time to understand that but for me Ocsober has to be every month of the year. In a way drinking became the substitute for the positive mental attitude I had when I was boxing. I have accepted this honorary ambassadorship for ocsober as a milestone in my life and to encourage all Australians to stand up and be counted in leading a productive, positive and sober life."

John So JP – former Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne

"Sober, so good in October."

Professor Ian Frazer

“Alcohol abuse is a significant public health issue. My experience is that prevention is always a better option than cure. That’s why I am really pleased to endorse Life Education’s Ocsober campaign to raise funds for alcohol and drug education programs in schools. I’m really grateful that my children had the opportunity to take part in the Life Education program, because I believe it helps to give children the knowledge and the skills to make safer choices. Even though I’m known as someone who enjoys a drink, I’m happy to give it up for a month if it means that more children can have access to this excellent program. I encourage other Queenslanders to join with me in supporting Ocsober.”

Erin Stanfields

"When I was in primary school Life Education came and spoke to my class about the effects of drugs and alcohol. It was because of their strong message that I now rarely drink at all. Everyday I see so many people let alcohol control their very existance - they depend on it for social interaction, confidence, self esteem and as an escape from reality. We need to send the message to the youth of today that its ok to say no to alcohol, and that by doing so actually makes you a stronger and more confident person. I have so much respect for a person who can easily say no to alcohol as opposed to someone who feels they need it to have a good time. Ocsober is a wonderful way to lead by example and should be supported to the extreme."

Jane Lomax-Smith – SA Minister for Education, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Tourism and for the City of Adelaide

"Our State Government is committed to addressing binge drinking in the community. Through campaigns such as this, combined with a range of other strategies and education programs, we can reduce community acceptance of harmful alcohol consumption and the associated damage caused by alcohol misuse."

Rob Stokes MP – Member for Pittwater

"Binge drinking is a real and growing problem around Sydney's beachside communities. Every year, young people on Sydney's northern beaches are hurt - even killed - in incidents caused by alcohol. It is great that Life Education is providing clear information about the effects of alcohol on young people, and it is a real privilege to support their message."

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