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What parents should know about Schoolies

What is the Safer Schoolies Initiative?

The Queensland Government’s Safer Schoolies Initiative is a whole-of-government response, involving the departments of Communities, Treasury, Justice and Attorney-General, Education, Health, Tourism, Transport, Emergency Services and Police, as well as local councils and numerous volunteering and community partners.

The initiative responds to the influx of tens of thousands of young people from across Australia choosing to book their end of year holiday in particular destinations in Queensland, such as Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Yeppoon and the Gold Coast.

It aims to educate schoolies and their parents about personal safety, underage drinking and illegal activities, as well as rights and responsibilities, to encourage healthy and safe behaviour during Schoolies.

Working in partnership with local community organisations and councils, the Queensland Government has allocated funding for safety mechanisms such as registration and wristbanding to easily identify schoolies, recruitment and training of volunteers to provide advice and support, free transport and activities in secure alcohol and drug-free environments for schoolies only.

Additional elements of the Safer Schoolies Initiative include:



What is a schoolie?

A schoolie is a graduating Year 12 or TAFE equivalent student from an Australian education institution.



What are the dates for Schoolies 2008 in Queensland?

While commercial booking agencies promote Schoolies from late November to early December, Safer Schoolies activities take place between Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 November.

Specifically:



How many teenagers are expected to attend Schoolies?

Between 700 and 1000 schoolies are estimated to visit Magnetic Island; between 2500 and 3000 visit Airlie Beach; approximately 500 schoolies visit Yeppoon and between 30,000 and 35,000 schoolies will visit the Gold Coast.



What are some of the Safer Schoolies activities being offered this year?

Safer Schoolies activities are exclusively for schoolies and require proof of Year 12 student ID to access.

Airlie Beach

A range of free entertainment options and safety responses will be in place at Airlie Beach over seven days, including nightly Red Frogs DJ parties staged at Schoolies Central - a one-stop-shop for schoolies in central Airlie Beach.

Numerous other free amusement activities are also planned at Schoolies Central with more information to be posted on the Whitsunday Regional Council’s Schoolies website.

Gold Coast

Over nine nights, an entertainment program will be staged within a fenced area, known as the Schoolies Hub, on central Surfers Paradise Beach. The hub will be open most nights from 7.30pm to 1.30am and include free DJ entertainment from two beach stages.

Schoolies will also be able to access free transport with the RACQ free2go bus service which will operate between 8.30pm and 3am each night, providing safe transportation for schoolies every 20 minutes between the major hotels along the Gold Coast.

Magnetic Island

A variety of entertainment and safety responses will be offered on Magnetic Island over six days, including ‘pancake pig-outs’, beach activities, movie nights, and dance parties.

Most evening activities will take place in the Recharge Zone at Alma Bay which will be supervised by police, Red Frogs volunteers, and medical services. The Recharge Zone will provide a safe place for schoolies to go to seek advice or information, or a place to relax with other schoolies.

Yeppoon

Schoolies entertainment and safety responses will be provided at Yeppoon over five days, including dance parties and movie nights. Schoolies will also be offered free breakfast and barbecues, free transportation, and other night time entertainment including the Schoolies Nightclub.



What are the access requirements for Queensland’s Safer Schoolies activities?

Each Safer Schoolies location has its own access requirements, but all require proof of student photo ID to take advantage of the free activities and safety responses being offered. Remember: no ID – no entry.

Airlie Beach

Schoolies visiting Airlie Beach are required to register to access the free activities on offer from Saturday 22 to Friday 28 November.

Registration costs $25 and will occur in a clearly marked registration tent, where schoolies will receive a special Schoolies ID card on presentation of suitable photo ID.

Gold Coast

Schoolies wishing to access the free Schoolies Hub on central Surfers Paradise Beach will need to have an official wristband, which will be distributed on proof of student photo ID.

Gold Coast schoolies who have booked accommodation through schoolies.com must collect their official wristband during check-in at their hotel from Red Frogs volunteers.

Schoolies staying at alternative accommodation, with family or friends, or visiting for the day, can collect an official wristband from the Wristband Distribution Centre on the Esplanade parallel to central Surfers Paradise Beach.

Schoolies are urged to keep their wristband on for the duration of their stay on the Gold Coast as removing or sharing it will make it invalid.

Magnetic Island

Schoolies visiting Magnetic Island are required to register to access free Schoolies activities from Sunday 23 to Friday 28 November.

Registration costs $20 and will occur in a clearly marked registration tent, where schoolies will receive a wristband and event guide on presentation of suitable photo ID.

Yeppoon

Schoolies visiting Yeppoon are required to register to access free Schoolies activities from Sunday 23 to Thursday 27 November.

Registration will open at 11am on Sunday and will take place each day in various locations and times until the last day.

Schoolies will be required to present their Year 12 photo ID, complete a registration card and have their photo taken to receive a specially designed Schoolies ID card attached to a lanyard, which they will need to access official Schoolies activities.

Sunshine Coast

There is no registration required for the Sunshine Coast this year. Red Frogs will be present on the Sunshine Coast through their Hotel Chaplaincy Program, as will the Queensland Police Service who will maintain its presence to enhance the safety of schoolies and the local community.



What are some of the safety services being provided during Schoolies?

As part of the Safer Schoolies Initiative, a range of safety services will be provided at the key Schoolies destinations in Queensland.

Police, emergency services, security, volunteers and officials will maintain a highly-visible presence, providing schoolies with medical assistance, and general support and advice.

Additionally the Queensland Government has allocated funding to Red Frogs Australia to recruit more than 1200 volunteers to provide practical in-house support to schoolies at Safer Schoolies destinations throughout the state.

The Red Frogs’ 24-hour hotline (1300 557 123) will also be available for schoolies to request a crew member walk them home safely, have pancakes cooked in their unit, or ask for help to mediate problems between other schoolies or toolies (past Year 12 graduates) in their accommodation venue.



How do schoolies know they can trust a volunteer?

Volunteers provide an invaluable community service and are often the first point of contact for schoolies needing assistance - they provide extra eyes and ears and importantly a friendly face they can trust with the right advice and support.

People interested in becoming a Schoolies volunteer undergo a rigorous assessment, including a one-on-one interview process to ensure they are the right person for the job.

Staff and volunteers sign a Code of Conduct agreement and must have a Blue Card; they also receive training and wear clothing which will easily identify them as someone there to help.

An army of Schoolies Support Team volunteers are being recruited and trained to support Gold Coast schoolies. The volunteers will patrol the precinct and beach in teams of four assisting with directions, bus timetables, health and safety information, important phone numbers and referrals to other support services.

It is important that schoolies know they can trust the officials and volunteers who are there to lend a helping hand in any occasion.



What is being done to manage toolies and foolies?

Toolies are past Year 12 students while foolies are those yet to reach Year 12. Safer Schoolies activities are for graduating Year 12 students or TAFE equivalent only.

Parents are urged to discourage their teenagers from attending Schoolies if they are not a legitimate Year 12 graduate.

Access to Safer Schoolies activities will require proof of student photo ID or in some cases a current passport, driver’s licence or 18+ Card. No ID – no access.



What is being done about underage and excessive drinking at Schoolies?

It has always been an offence to supply alcohol to minors on licensed premises, but under new laws, adults must provide responsible supervision to minors when supplying alcohol for consumption in private places such as parties or Schoolies.

Penalties are high – get caught providing alcohol to your underage child for consumption in an unsupervised environment and you will face penalties of up to $6000.

Police now have greater powers to seize alcohol that has the potential to cause harm to minors or that is being recklessly provided to minors.

Police can now also confiscate alcohol in cars and public places and dispose of alcohol they reasonably suspect is destined for unsupervised consumption by minors.

Providing alcohol to underage children where there is no responsible supervision is not only dangerous, it is now illegal.

Police and liquor licensing officers will be on the lookout for underage drinkers during Schoolies.

Parents are urged to talk to their teenager about responsible drinking and the harmful effects of binge drinking. Parents should encourage their teenager to be safe and watch their mates, think before they drink and know their limitations.

Safer Schoolies activities are drug and alcohol-free.



How do I report underage drinking or drug use?

If you suspect illegal activity contact your local police station or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, a free telephone hotline you can call to provide anonymous information about suspected criminal activity.



Where can I get more information about safety and Schoolies?

The Queensland Government has produced the ‘Be safe and watch your mates’ Schoolies 2008 Information Booklet. It contains important information and tips on health and safety and personal responsibility that schoolies should be aware of before attending any Schoolies occasion.

Queensland high schools have begun ordering the booklets for Year 12 students and these are being distributed now. If you’re concerned your teenager hasn’t received their booklet, you can order a copy online or by calling 13 13 04.

Last updated: 27 October 2008