It'll take at least another generation before Australia realises the danger of its drinking culture, according to NSW doctor Gordian Fulde.
Professor Fulde was on Monday named Senior Australian of the Year.
He's the country's longest-serving head of an emergency department having worked at St Vincent's Hospital and Sydney Hospital for more than three decades.
While there is nothing wrong with a couple of glasses of wine or beer, too many of us are drinking too much and for too long - especially on occasions like Australia Day.
"At the end of the day, there shouldn't be a whole lot of six-packs and cartons and flagons of wine just because you've been there all day at the BBQ," Prof Fulde said.
"That's what's wrong."
The 67-year-old wants to use his new title to help the community say: "We don't like this. We don't have to be drunk, horrible and violent."
"There's nothing wrong with a couple of beers, even a couple of glasses of wine ... but I think we've got to get rid of our bad drinking habits which are pretty solid in this country," he added.
"I think we're getting better, but it'll take a generation or so."
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