Published Wednesday, 07 November, 2007 at 11:21 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
School leavers urged to register for Safer Schoolies
Year 12 students preparing for Gold Coast Schoolies are urged to register to take part in the official Safer Schoolies program.
Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said online registration for Safer Schoolies on the Gold Coast closes in nine days, with the official program of activities starting on November 17.
“There have been 10,271 online registrations for Gold Coast Schoolies and we expect that to soar,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Registering helps manage the safety of schoolies, it enables school leavers to access official event activities,” she said.
“This year Surfers Paradise beach will be fenced each night and the free ID wristband will entitle schoolies to enter the precinct. The message is clear: No wristband, no activities, no precinct access.”
Police Minister Judy Spence said Police and security will be patrolling the boundaries of the new 1.8 metre high fencing to ensure there are no unregistered people in the Schoolies Hub.
“More than 70% of last year’s 489 arrests were made against older hangers-on, known as Toolies,” Ms Spence said.
“By setting up the exclusive ‘Schoolies Hub’ Party Zone, we’re aiming to keep Toolies out, so actual school leavers can enjoy themselves in a fun and safe environment. Any schoolies evicted from the party zone will not be permitted to re-enter the schoolies area until the next evening.
“There will be a high profile police presence throughout Surfers Paradise during Schoolies festivities, with officers out to ensure school leavers can have a good time without incident.”
Suffers Paradise Management (SPM) is the official event coordinator for Gold Coast Schoolies Week on behalf of the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council.
SPM Communications Manager Tiffany Murray said the 10,271 registrations compared favourably with 8164 registrations received in 2006.
“I expect a last minute rush on registrations, as in previous years,” Ms Murray said.
“Now exams are coming to an end and students are thinking of their Schoolies celebrations, we’re encouraging them to consider the practical preparations including ensuring they are registered.”
Ms Murray said schoolies staying in certain accommodation venues had to register for their building pass which was sometimes confused with registration for the safety program.
“If they are unsure, we’re asking school leavers to register for the safety program anyway, as it’s free and there’s no obligation involved,” she said.
Online registration saves schoolies time when they arrive in Surfers Paradise, enabling them to receive their ID wristband more quickly.
“We will still have a facility for schoolies to complete the full registration on the ground but it will help both us and them to have completed this already,” Ms Murray said.
“We are asking parents, friends and members of the community to pass on the important registration message to all schoolies in their network,” she said.
Registration is free to school leavers at www.schooliesweek.com.au or, if you don’t have web access, go through Smart Services Queensland on 13 13 04 to register over the phone (8am-6pm weekdays).
Once registered online, schoolies can collect their Official Schoolies Guide and ID wrist-band from the RACQ free2Go facility on The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise from Friday, November 16, at 4pm, and over the nine-day period upon showing a form of photo ID (e.g. school ID, Australian passport, current driver’s licence).
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Minister Spence’s office 3239 6172
Tiffany Murray (SPM) 5584 3700
Police Media 3015 2444
Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said online registration for Safer Schoolies on the Gold Coast closes in nine days, with the official program of activities starting on November 17.
“There have been 10,271 online registrations for Gold Coast Schoolies and we expect that to soar,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Registering helps manage the safety of schoolies, it enables school leavers to access official event activities,” she said.
“This year Surfers Paradise beach will be fenced each night and the free ID wristband will entitle schoolies to enter the precinct. The message is clear: No wristband, no activities, no precinct access.”
Police Minister Judy Spence said Police and security will be patrolling the boundaries of the new 1.8 metre high fencing to ensure there are no unregistered people in the Schoolies Hub.
“More than 70% of last year’s 489 arrests were made against older hangers-on, known as Toolies,” Ms Spence said.
“By setting up the exclusive ‘Schoolies Hub’ Party Zone, we’re aiming to keep Toolies out, so actual school leavers can enjoy themselves in a fun and safe environment. Any schoolies evicted from the party zone will not be permitted to re-enter the schoolies area until the next evening.
“There will be a high profile police presence throughout Surfers Paradise during Schoolies festivities, with officers out to ensure school leavers can have a good time without incident.”
Suffers Paradise Management (SPM) is the official event coordinator for Gold Coast Schoolies Week on behalf of the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council.
SPM Communications Manager Tiffany Murray said the 10,271 registrations compared favourably with 8164 registrations received in 2006.
“I expect a last minute rush on registrations, as in previous years,” Ms Murray said.
“Now exams are coming to an end and students are thinking of their Schoolies celebrations, we’re encouraging them to consider the practical preparations including ensuring they are registered.”
Ms Murray said schoolies staying in certain accommodation venues had to register for their building pass which was sometimes confused with registration for the safety program.
“If they are unsure, we’re asking school leavers to register for the safety program anyway, as it’s free and there’s no obligation involved,” she said.
Online registration saves schoolies time when they arrive in Surfers Paradise, enabling them to receive their ID wristband more quickly.
“We will still have a facility for schoolies to complete the full registration on the ground but it will help both us and them to have completed this already,” Ms Murray said.
“We are asking parents, friends and members of the community to pass on the important registration message to all schoolies in their network,” she said.
Registration is free to school leavers at www.schooliesweek.com.au or, if you don’t have web access, go through Smart Services Queensland on 13 13 04 to register over the phone (8am-6pm weekdays).
Once registered online, schoolies can collect their Official Schoolies Guide and ID wrist-band from the RACQ free2Go facility on The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise from Friday, November 16, at 4pm, and over the nine-day period upon showing a form of photo ID (e.g. school ID, Australian passport, current driver’s licence).
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Minister Spence’s office 3239 6172
Tiffany Murray (SPM) 5584 3700
Police Media 3015 2444