Schoolies has begun – at least it has in Queensland. But for about 15,000 South Australian Year 12 school-leavers, the celebration is looming as the three-day festival in Victor Harbor commences on Friday, November 22.
The festival is notorious for young drunken revellers, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, resulting in an increase in reported sexual assaults, violence and property damage.
Last year, at South Australia’s only official schoolies destination, Victor Harbor, 75 schoolies needed first aid or medical assistance last year, with 30 cases related to alcohol intoxication.
Festival organisers Encounter Youth, South Australia Police, SA Ambulance, and owners of event venues and accommodation are urging youths to exercise caution this weekend.
Visit the Schoolies Festival website for more information or to purchase tickets.
Former schoolies’ best memories
The Loop hit the streets to hear stories from past schoolies. One person admitted to duct-taping a girl to a chair, an act they found funny until the taped girl had, what they believed to be, an asthma attack.
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Get prepared to party… safely
Celebratory drinking is a big issue in Australian culture, says Encounter Youth Green Team CEO Nigel Knowles, who is one of the Victor Harbor schoolies organisers.
In a bid to combat excessive alcohol consumption, drug education is taught at schools to give students the tools to make educated choices.
Dorian Tisato caught up with Nigel to see how young people can get prepared for the Victor Harbor celebrations.
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Visit the Green Team website for more information.
Police say “toolie” numbers are down
Toolies are older non-school-leavers who attend schoolies. According to South Australian Police superintendent Rob Williams, toolies are “diminishing” from events.
He also warned youths to look after their mates, be aware of their surroundings and drive safe, seeing as more police will be in the area, targeting bad driver behaviour.
Dorian Tisato spoke to South Australian Police superintendent Rob Williams about safety at schoolies.
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The Loop asked some Fresh listeners if they thought schoolies was safe.
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Where to seek help
Don’t be scared to dial triple “0” for help. That was the message the Encounter Youth Green Team CEO Nigel Knowles gave to youths planning to attend schoolies this weekend.
The Loop’s Nutman caught up with Nigel, who says youths “wont get into trouble for calling for help”.
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You can get the official Motor Accident Commission (MAC) Schoolies 2013 phone app to help plan your schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor.
Through the app, you can view the events schedule, tools to plan transportation with the free MAC Schoolies bus, a map of Schoolies Festival Zone, helpful phone numbers and links to the Schoolies Festival photos.
Click here to download the app on Android.
Or here for the app on iPhone.
Former schoolies’ worst experiences
Parties start out fun but can end up turning bad, which was the case for some former schoolies, who say their worst schoolies memory involved excessive alcohol consumption.
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The Victor Harbor perspective
Victor Harbor has a large aging population who have learnt to tolerate the loud crowds at the three-day schoolies festival, according to Anchorage Hotel owner Cathy Sunderson.
Emmie Dowling spoke to Cathy, Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park manager Erin Scofield and Rebeccas Community director Dominic Mapstone.
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You can find the Schoolies Survival Guide, which is written by past high school graduates, on the Rebeccas Community schoolies website.