The ‘Gunny Gets You Home’ initiative has been brought back after five years by the Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord.

Following reports of a rise of drink-driving in the Gunnedah area from Oxley Police Force, Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord decided to reinstate the program to encourage people to get a taxi or think of a Plan B when out drinking.

“Gunnedah Liquor Accord decided to bring back a campaign that they did maybe about five years ago and basically it’s to provide some vouchers for people to claim with the local Gunnedah Taxi cabs,” Ray Williams, treasurer of Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord and manager of The Courthouse, said.

“It’s a $10 fare, if the fare ends up being $20 they pay $10 and get $10 off their fare and then Gunnedah Taxis basically invoice the Liquor Accord.”

Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord applied for a grant through Gunnedah Shire’s Community and Sports Small Grants programme.

They were successful and received close to $5000. Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord also came together to place $5000 into the initiative, bringing the total pool of funds to nearly $10,000.

This is the second time ‘Gunny Gets You Home’ will run, originally being brought in successfully nearly five years ago.

Businesses that are a part of Gunnedah and Districts Liquor Accord are participating, with most pubs, bottle shops, and taxis helping to run the program.

Accessing the $10 voucher is also quite simple, with posters in most venues providing information around the programme.

“So people can approach the bar staff and ask about the voucher or bar staff might offer a voucher if they know that a patron is about to leave. If they’re saying goodbye to the bar staff, they’ll rip off a voucher, put a date on it and the recipient can go out and use it,” Mr Williams said.

‘Gunny Gets You Home’ initiative began on December 10, 2025, and will be running until funds are no longer available.

“Go out, have a good time, but don’t drive if you drink,” Mr Williams said.

“Look after your mates. If they’re looking at driving, say something.

“Mates don’t let mates drink drive … and don’t be a statistic and get in with a drink driver.”