Latest news with #DryJuly
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
NAB runs into a governance bin fire with a boozy accelerant
I wonder whether National Australia Bank's chief executive, Andrew Irvine, has decided to participate in 'Dry July', following the explosive report that some major shareholders have expressed concerns about his drinking and his management style. Shareholders airing their grievances about executive behaviour at top 20 companies is pretty unusual. And for institutional investors to draw attention to a chief executive's drinking as a red flag, as reported by The Australian Financial Review, is even rarer. It has left Irvine in the invidious position of whether to respond to a 'do you beat your wife' type of question. And NAB will now undoubtedly be engaged in a fishing expedition to find out who said what to the media. So far, there has been no official response from the bank's chairman, Phil Chronican. NAB has gone to ground, which can sometimes lead to more drama, as it leaves the door open to the spread and amplification of rumours. The complaint was apparently made directly to Chronican, at a lunch at which fellow director Simon McKeon also attended, is not one he can ignore, even if no disciplinary action will be taken against Irvine. Loading Instead, NAB's internal response has been to step up external mentoring of key personnel, including the chief executive. Whether the complainants, one of which is reportedly fund manager Pendal's head of investments, Crispin Murray, have a broader beef with the management or performance of the bank isn't clear. In a general sense if a business is doing well, shareholders are unlikely to take issue with how it is being run. And it is unusual for shareholders to play the role of the 'sobriety police'. Irvine's predecessor, Ross McEwan, is credited with turning the bank around after years of mishaps under previous regimes in which the bank displayed an uncanny accuracy in shooting itself in the foot.
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
NAB runs into a governance bin fire with a boozy accelerant
I wonder whether National Australia Bank's chief executive, Andrew Irvine, has decided to participate in 'Dry July', following the explosive report that some major shareholders have expressed concerns about his drinking and his management style. Shareholders airing their grievances about executive behaviour at top 20 companies is pretty unusual. And for institutional investors to draw attention to a chief executive's drinking as a red flag, as reported by The Australian Financial Review, is even rarer. It has left Irvine in the invidious position of whether to respond to a 'do you beat your wife' type of question. And NAB will now undoubtedly be engaged in a fishing expedition to find out who said what to the media. So far, there has been no official response from the bank's chairman, Phil Chronican. NAB has gone to ground, which can sometimes lead to more drama, as it leaves the door open to the spread and amplification of rumours. The complaint was apparently made directly to Chronican, at a lunch at which fellow director Simon McKeon also attended, is not one he can ignore, even if no disciplinary action will be taken against Irvine. Loading Instead, NAB's internal response has been to step up external mentoring of key personnel, including the chief executive. Whether the complainants, one of which is reportedly fund manager Pendal's head of investments, Crispin Murray, have a broader beef with the management or performance of the bank isn't clear. In a general sense if a business is doing well, shareholders are unlikely to take issue with how it is being run. And it is unusual for shareholders to play the role of the 'sobriety police'. Irvine's predecessor, Ross McEwan, is credited with turning the bank around after years of mishaps under previous regimes in which the bank displayed an uncanny accuracy in shooting itself in the foot.
7NEWS
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- 7NEWS
5 of the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry July: Sparkling wine, zesty margaritas, botanical gin and more
If you're doing Dry July this year and are on the hunt for a delicious non-alcohol alternative, there are plenty of tasty options available. From sparkling rosés that rival Champagne to botanical-infused gin alternatives and zesty booze-free margaritas, these drinks prove you can sip in style without the hangover. Whether you are hosting a party, going away for a girls weekend, or simply want a weeknight pick-me-up, these non-alcoholic drinks are an ideal option. Here are five standout options that deliver all the flavour — minus any alcohol. 1. Thomson & Scott Noughty Sparkling Rosé, $20 at Sans Drinks After a non-alcoholic rosé? You'll love this Thomson & Scott Noughty Sparkling Rosé, not only is it delicious, it's also affordable. Expertly crafted using traditional French winemaking techniques and celebrated by BBC Food as the closest non-alcoholic alternative to real Champagne. It delivers a dry, classic flavour with a delicate rose hue and fresh summer berry aromas. Plus it's also certified organic, vegan, and low in calories and offers a sophisticated, guilt-free option for any occasion. 2. Barnes and Brown Lady Juniper Gin, $35 at Craft Zero Just because you're not drinking alcohol, doesn't mean you have to give up gin. This Barnes and Brown offers a finely crafted non-alcoholic liquor inspired by the timeless flavours of a classic London Dry Gin. It captures the true essence of traditional gin with bright aromas of orange blossom, lime, jasmine, and juniper. On the palate, expect bold notes of bitter orange peel, complemented by juniper, black pepper, lemon myrtle, and subtle floral undertones, finishing with a dry, slightly spicy kick. This is a refined, alcohol-free option for gin lovers seeking depth and complexity without compromise. 3. Naked Life Non-Alcoholic Margaritas, $15 at Woolworths These delicious non-alcoholic margaritas taste exactly like the real thing. With zesty Tahitian lime extracts, unmistakable tequila notes and just the right touch of salt, Naked Life margaritas are crafted with distilled botanicals. Perfect for weekend adventures, you can pick up a four pack for just $15 at your local Woolies. 4. The Everyday Set of Non-Alcoholic Wines, $75 at NON If you love the taste of wine but prefer to skip the alcohol, NON's alcohol-free wines tick all the boxes. This three pack of gourmet wines is perfect for any special occasion or girls weekend. The pack comes with a salted raspberry chamomile sparkling wine, a still toasted cinnamon and yuzu and a still oaked blackberry and plum wine. 5. Remedy Sodaly All Natural No Sugar Soft Drink Lemon Lime & Bitters 24x250ml cans, $36 at Amazon Australia We're big fans of Remedy Sodaly's drinks, they are so delicious and not too sweet. Bursting with real fruit flavour, it's made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and contains no sugar, just full-on taste with zero guilt. With only 8 calories per can and a base of apple cider vinegar rich in gut-friendly prebiotics, Sodaly supports digestion and overall wellbeing. It's a feel-good fizzy treat you can enjoy any time.
Axios
09-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Axios
What we're sipping: Mocktails that hit the spot this Dry July
If you're participating in Dry July, or just taking a booze break, there's a store-bought alternative that could cool your cocktail cravings. What to know: We don't often take up offers for samples but occasionally one sorta makes sense. Better Than Booze shipped me a couple of non-alcoholic trial sixers, but I'm not obligated to give the product a good review — my Hidden Valley Ranch ice cream taste test comes to mind. The company is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and cans a line of alcohol-free mocktails as well THC and CBD-infused drinks. The drinks: Three flavors were in the variety pack: elderberry G&T, inspired by a gin and tonic; rosemary grapefruit paloma, inspired by a tequila paloma; and mint mojito with lime, inspired by a rum mojito. All are sparkling and contain a little sugar and sweeteners. Calorie counts are between 60 and 70 each. The verdict: All three flavors were delightful. They're a tad sweet, but much less than a regular cola and it added a little extra flavor over my usual afternoon go-to San Pelligrino. I expected the grapefruit to be bitter. It was not. The elderberry, though, hinted at bitterness, but it wasn't altogether bad. Mint in the mojito was just enough to know it was there. Did they take the place of an alcoholic cocktail? Hard to say, but I felt satisfied. What she said: My wife tried a sip of the elderberry. "You know what would make that better? Gin and tonic." The bottom line: They were refreshing in this summer heat, but at roughly $14 for six, these will likely be options for teetotalers at parties and not as a casual sipper.
Herald Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Tradies among the rise of Gen Zs opting not to drink alcohol
Gen Z guys are ditching drinking and embracing a sober, healthy lifestyle at a higher rate than girls, experts say, with some unlikely suspects taking on the teetotal life by the reins. Young apprentice tradies are among those leading the charge of youths staying away from booze, saying they prefer to have protein shakes at the gym over afternoon beers at the pub or to go on hikes at the weekend rather than party at a bar or nightclub. It comes as this masthead can exclusively reveal new research that found one in five 18-24-year-olds went longer than six months without alcohol last year. The survey of 1454 people last year by not-for-profit Dry July – which is encouraging people to abstain from alcohol this month to raise money for cancer support organisations – also found younger adults were more likely than the general population to say they were drinking much less (23 per cent compared to 17 per cent). Within Gen Z, a significant 63 per cent said they were motivated by their desire to save money while 35 per cent said wanting to fit in with their peers were top motivators for not drinking. Additionally, two in five said taking a break has become a social norm (40 per cent) and 30 per cent noted it as 'cool'. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 found that risky drinking males have been slowly declining since 2019, from 47 to 45 per cent. National Drug Research Institute Associate Professor Dr Michael Livingston said the drop in risky drinking for young men had been more evident compared to young females. 'Both men and women in their 20s were drinking less than previous generations, but the drop for men was steeper,' he said. 'This was partly because they had further to fall, but it may also reflect that reductions in risk taking had more of an impact on men's drinking.' Apprentice landscaper Spencer Broda, 18 said his friends' drinking behaviours made him want to stay sober. 'My friends and I would much rather go out and do an activity together, where we don't have to drink and we can drive home' he said. 'I think it would feel weird if I was the only one drinking in a group.' Playing basketball on the weekends, he wanted to make sure his body was ready for games. 'If I drank and played the next day, I noticed I felt almost weaker,' he said. 'When I stopped drinking on the weekends, my game was so strong.' Apprentice carpenter at Ace Davies Carpentry, Nick Armstrong, said he made the decision to stop drinking to gain back control. 'For me, I had some bad experiences and I wanted that damage control,' the 27-year-old said. 'My friends will still drink but it's all in moderation now.' Apprentice carpenter at Kingsford Carpentry, Jorgan Tapau, said his strong commitment to fitness and the gym made him less likely to go out drinking. 'When I didn't drink, I would find myself going to the gym more regularly, which I really enjoyed,' the 19-year-old said. 'I have a really strong interest in the gym and just bettering my overall health.' Apprentice plumber Zander Te Brugge, 22, from Our Local Services said when he stopped drinking, he had a clearer mindset. 'When I stopped drinking, I felt more productive and had more interest in my hobbies,' he said. 'I'd would much rather splurge on camping or work on my cars than spend money on alcohol.' These changes surrounding alcohol culture aren't just noticed by friends, but by bosses too. Founder of North Shore Carpentry and Renovations, Alex Nejman, 30, said there had been a significant shift in the workplace since he was an apprentice. 'It's not the same culture that it used to be,' he said. 'When I was doing my apprenticeship, we would go to the pub almost every day, have a couple schooners and go back to work, but that's not the situation anymore.' For Mr Nejman, end of year celebrations are now more inclusive for those who choose not to drink. 'We go out camping, or go on hikes, it's healthier and more fun,' he said. At Boss Carpentry WA, Michael McCracken said his apprentices were drawn more to fitness than the pub. 'We have five apprentices and we've seen really strong sports dedication,' he said. At Brisbane City Landscapes, young mindsets have also shifted, according to managing director, Jack Blair-Swannell. 'Our younger labourers are less interested in alcohol than we were,' he said. 'A lot of our guys are really focused on fitness and sports.' Stephen Lawrence, founder of Australia's first non-alcoholic bar Brunswick Aces, said Gen Zs, alongside other demographics, had increased their purchasing of non-alcoholic beverages at his bar. 'We get everyone from the 18-year-old that wants to go out but doesn't want to drink, to the 80-year-old who was told to cut back,' he said. Research fellow at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Gianluca Di Censo, said that although the trend was promising, it's essential for young people to be aware of the dangers of risky drinking. 'Youth is a period characterised by high-risk episodic drinking so we still need to make sure young people are aware of the harms of binge drinking,' he said.
