2011 marks the 20th Anniversary of wristbands making news in Australia.
Plastic wristbands made the front of the papers when they were used as the latest weapon to combat under-age drinking. Police combined with hoteliers to thwart an epidemic of under-age drinking & support the introduction of voluntary proof of age cards.
Image courtesy of acdc-bootlegs.com
Wristbands were issued to young people who had to prove they were over 18 when AC/DC performed at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Patrons seeking alcoholic drinks presented photo id, in the form of a Drivers License, proof of age card or passport to supervisors who verified the details & issued patrons with a wristband.
Lee Kessler who is still at the Sydney Entertainment Centre said the wristbands would mean faster service at bars where staff had to wait for patrons to produce ID
Wristbands are still being used to assist control alcohol excess, but it is interesting to note the imprint used on the wristbands promoted a leading bourbon whiskey Rebel Yell.
NSW Police Minister at the time, Ted Pickering said the wristband program was a worthwhile initiative as alcohol abuse was a leading cause of road accidents for young motorists & often prompted irresponsible behaviour.