Extract from The Grog Book, Maggie Brady, Sponsored by Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, and OATSIHS. 1998

Aboriginal women in some regions have spoken out strongly about their worries over what alcohol is doing to their sons and daughters, the peace and wellbeing of their neighbourhoods and the future of their cultural life. These are some things they have done over the last ten years.

In November 1998 a hundred men and women non drinkers destroyed the licensed club at Port Keats, NT. Ten of these women, mostly Aboriginal health workers wrote a letter, letter to the Liquor Commissioner. They said they would do the same again if the club was re-opened. In 1989 women of the mothers club on Bathurst Island demanded that the drinking club should be closed down. In Queensland women have lobbied government minister. In May 1991 the women from Aurukun sent a delegation to the premier to complain about the illegal grog in their community.

Since 1988 Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntatjara speaking women in the north of South Australia have led objection to the sales of alcohol from a roadhouse called Curtin Springs. They had no luck Takeaway ales from this outlet found their way hundreds of kilometres into the lands. In July 1990, in frustration, 300 women marched to Curtin Springs and had a women's council meeting there. They marched on the roadhouse and presented a letter to the licensee. In March 1993 a group of women from Hermannsburg marched on a delicatessen in Alice Springs to support the objections to its liquor licence. One man had just been killed and sic injured in a drunken fight. The community had suffered repeated violence, stabbings, bashings and rape. A month later, 300 women and children from five communities marched against grog through the streets of Alice Springs. The women were painted up, wearing ceremonial headbands and looking strong.

These actions attract publicity. They make people take notice. They show licensees and governments that Aboriginal people are concerned. They also show that people will only put up with so much.