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 Queensland destinations, 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, and 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 alcohol and drug-free environments for schoolies only.
Additional elements of the Safer Schoolies Initiative include:
- a highly visible police presence in Schoolies precincts
- additional emergency services
- improved coordination of local councils, volunteers and community-based organisations (all volunteers are required to have a Blue Card and identification when working at Schoolies)
- a centralised hotline for complaints, compliments and feedback
- the official Schoolies website
- an education and awareness program including school visits, the ‘Be safe and watch your mates’ Schoolies 2008 Information Booklet, fact sheets and wallet cards with key contact numbers and safety tips.
Last updated: 27 October 2008