Spare a thought for the volunteers at schoolies: Minister
Published Sunday, 11 November, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Spare a thought for the army of 1200 volunteers who will be looking after the safety and well-being of school leavers at schoolies events, Community and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said.
“Volunteers will be out there day and night, making sure school leavers have access to support and know how to get help if and when they need it,” she said.
“To schoolies, the message is clear: register, be safe, be responsible and look after your mates.”
More than 35,000 school leavers are expected to take part in the Safer Schoolies program on the Gold Coast.
“People such as Vi (Violet) Beddoe will be there – she’s been a volunteer at schoolies for 10 years,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Then there’s 86-year-old volunteer Wallace Cridge who has signed up for his second year on the Schoolies Support Team.
“Some 45 volunteers are students from the College of Law and Justice Administration who are working towards a career in the Queensland Police Service, and also on the support team are parents of past schoolies.
“All of these wonderful people are making a big difference.”
In addition to the 35,000 school leavers expected on the Gold Coast, thousands more schoolies are expected to attend celebrations at Magnetic Island, Yeppoon, Sunshine Coast and Airlie Beach.
Ms Nelson-Carr today presented a Queensland Government cheque for $65,000 to Red Frogs Australia to support its ongoing work training a large number of volunteers for Gold Coast schoolies, as well as other schoolies events.
“The Red Frogs crew are probably the most well-known and visible of the volunteers, providing valuable support services to schoolies – they do a tremendous job,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"They visit schoolies in their hotels to make sure they are safe, handing out red frog confectionary to break the ice and they have a strong presence in the schoolies precinct at Surfers Paradise.
“They can provide referrals to support services and mediation between schoolies and accommodation providers, if any disputes arise.
“The safety strategies Red Frogs Australia has developed for the celebrations have been designed to ensure school leavers celebrate safely, with minimal disruption to the local community.”
Ms Nelson-Carr commended the volunteers and staff from all organisations, including Drug Arm, Rosies, St Vincent De Paul Society, Scripture Union, Red Cross and some 300 members of the community who also play an important role during Gold Coast schoolies.
She urged schoolies to register their attendance before the event begins.
Online registration is free – go to www.schooliesweek.com.au or phone call the schoolies hotline on 13 13 04, 8am-6pm weekdays.
Registration is required for all locations, except the Sunshine Coast.
Media Contacts: Karla Steen, Minister’s office, 0417 603 409
Vi Beddoe – (07) 5539 9210
Wallace Cridge – (07) 5502-9584 or 043820-2592
Kate Martin, Director, College of Law and Justice Admin, (07) 5520 3323
Mara Bennett, parent of past schoolie and volunteer, (07) 5526 4633
“Volunteers will be out there day and night, making sure school leavers have access to support and know how to get help if and when they need it,” she said.
“To schoolies, the message is clear: register, be safe, be responsible and look after your mates.”
More than 35,000 school leavers are expected to take part in the Safer Schoolies program on the Gold Coast.
“People such as Vi (Violet) Beddoe will be there – she’s been a volunteer at schoolies for 10 years,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Then there’s 86-year-old volunteer Wallace Cridge who has signed up for his second year on the Schoolies Support Team.
“Some 45 volunteers are students from the College of Law and Justice Administration who are working towards a career in the Queensland Police Service, and also on the support team are parents of past schoolies.
“All of these wonderful people are making a big difference.”
In addition to the 35,000 school leavers expected on the Gold Coast, thousands more schoolies are expected to attend celebrations at Magnetic Island, Yeppoon, Sunshine Coast and Airlie Beach.
Ms Nelson-Carr today presented a Queensland Government cheque for $65,000 to Red Frogs Australia to support its ongoing work training a large number of volunteers for Gold Coast schoolies, as well as other schoolies events.
“The Red Frogs crew are probably the most well-known and visible of the volunteers, providing valuable support services to schoolies – they do a tremendous job,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"They visit schoolies in their hotels to make sure they are safe, handing out red frog confectionary to break the ice and they have a strong presence in the schoolies precinct at Surfers Paradise.
“They can provide referrals to support services and mediation between schoolies and accommodation providers, if any disputes arise.
“The safety strategies Red Frogs Australia has developed for the celebrations have been designed to ensure school leavers celebrate safely, with minimal disruption to the local community.”
Ms Nelson-Carr commended the volunteers and staff from all organisations, including Drug Arm, Rosies, St Vincent De Paul Society, Scripture Union, Red Cross and some 300 members of the community who also play an important role during Gold Coast schoolies.
She urged schoolies to register their attendance before the event begins.
Online registration is free – go to www.schooliesweek.com.au or phone call the schoolies hotline on 13 13 04, 8am-6pm weekdays.
Registration is required for all locations, except the Sunshine Coast.
Media Contacts: Karla Steen, Minister’s office, 0417 603 409
Vi Beddoe – (07) 5539 9210
Wallace Cridge – (07) 5502-9584 or 043820-2592
Kate Martin, Director, College of Law and Justice Admin, (07) 5520 3323
Mara Bennett, parent of past schoolie and volunteer, (07) 5526 4633