Schoolies 2006 a success thanks to organisers, volunteers and authorities

Communities Minister Warren Pitt today commended the efforts of organisers, volunteers and community groups who had all helped in staging a successful Schoolies Week for 2006.

Mr Pitt said police, ambulance officers and emergency services staff had also played a vital role in Schoolies being judged a success.

“I am pleased to say that, overall, keeping things in proportion and perspective, Schoolies has gone off very well this year,” he said.

“On the Gold Coast, which is the focus of celebrations, there were 128 school leavers arrested over the 10 days of Schoolies.

“This works out to be less than half of one per cent of the estimated 30,000 school leavers who attended.

“Police have scored Schoolies 10 out of 10, and I want to salute the work of all those who contributed to what was a well-organised and well-managed event.

“In particular I pay tribute to the work of the volunteers. This year, more than 1400 volunteers from a range of groups were involved on the Gold Coast.

“Their hard work and dedication have contributed enormously to the event’s success.

“One of the big success stories this year was the registration system for schoolies. First trialled in 2004, it is now a key part of the overall event.

“More than 18,000 wristbands were distributed this year with many schoolies viewing them as ‘must-have’ items.

“These wristbands allow police, volunteers and community groups to identify genuine schoolies, as well as helping schoolies identify other schoolies.

“We will look at ways to improve the registration system even further, as I’m sure this will assist with the staging and managing of Schoolies in future years.

Mr Pitt said some issues of concern, including the issuing of hundreds of liquor offence notices, would be examined as part of a routine review of various aspects of Schoolies Week.

“I’m realistic enough to know that Schoolies is not entirely trouble-free, even when you take the older trouble-makers, the so-called toolies, out of the equation,” he said.

“We must also remember that whenever large crowds gather there will be a small minority who attract the attention of police.

“You only have to look at the large crowds at the ‘Gabba for the Ashes Test for proof of that.

“I am also concerned that some adults, including some parents, are supplying schoolies with excessive amounts of alcohol – certainly more than would be considered prudent and reasonable – and this is an issue I would like to see examined further.

“By and large, though, Schoolies has been well planned and well run. People often can get a wrong impression of Schoolies through the media, which tends to highlight the negative aspects, and does not adequately convey how the vast majority of schoolies are responsible and well behaved.”

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280