TLDR
Cancer Council has introduced Little Sid Seagull to mark 45 years of Slip! Slop! Slap!, aiming this year's National Skin Cancer Action Week at parents and carers. Its YouGov polling found 64% of Australians say campaigns featuring Sid make them more likely to use sun protection.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
A sidekick for Sid
Cancer Council has introduced Little Sid Seagull to carry its sun-safety message to a new generation, 45 years after Sid Seagull first told Australians to Slip! Slop! Slap! in 1981. This year's National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from 15 to 22 November with the theme "Sun safe habits last a lifetime", and is aimed at parents and carers leading by example.[1] Australians can win Little Sid Seagull plushies through Cancer Council giveaways during November.[3]
The message itself has grown. It is now five steps, Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide, to be used whenever the UV Index is 3 or above.[2]
Why a mascot still works
Cancer Council's YouGov poll of 1,035 adults found four in five Australians agree Sid Seagull has nostalgic appeal and can educate new generations about sun safety, and 64% said campaigns featuring Sid make them more likely to use sun protection.[1]
"For 45 years, Sid Seagull has helped Australians remember how to protect themselves from the sun," said Cancer Council Australia chief executive Jacinta Reddan. "While we've made progress, the job's not done."[1]
Cancer Council says children are 12 times more likely to use sunscreen, and three times more likely to wear a hat, when they see their parents do it first, and that half of a person's lifetime UV exposure happens before the age of 20. It says two in three Australians will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in their lifetime.[1]
"In 1981, Slip! Slop! Slap! gave Australians a simple and memorable introduction to sun protection," said Sally Blane, chair of Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee. Dr Adrian Lim, president of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, said the college "is proud to celebrate 45 years of the iconic Slip, Slop, Slap campaign".[1]
SOURCES & CITATIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is National Skin Cancer Action Week 2026?
What is Little Sid Seagull?
What are the five steps?
James Dore is founder and editor of Prompt the Market and Strategy Director at Bushnote, a Sydney strategy, SEO and AI search agency. He has a background in strategy, media and financial services, and led consumer product marketing at MONEYME. He writes on AI search, answer engines, technology policy and media economics.
