First taste: How Indigenous Australians learned about grog

Brady, M (2008)
First taste: How Indigenous Australians learned about grog.
Deakin, ACT : Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation

Maggie Brady, a social anthropologist from the Australian National University, has written a series of short books called First Taste, which explores the social history of alcohol use in Australia. Funded by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AER), First Taste is ground breaking in that it challenges many of the misconceptions associated with the history of Indigenous alcohol consumption and illustrates the importance of the social, cultural and physical environments to the ways in which Aboriginal people used and still use alcohol. The books also demonstrate that the way in which people drink affects what happens next; both in terms of how people learn to drink and how society views this.  Dr Brady has presented us with historical facts that indicate drinking behaviour is learned behaviour and that it is possible for cultures to change the way they drink; important messages applicable to all Australians.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

• Further information:
  • View ordering details
  • View website: AER Foundation
• Contact details:
  • Publication officer, ‘First taste’ booklet set, PO Box 7077, Canberra, BC, ACT 2610, fax: (02) 6260 2770