Published Wednesday, 20 August, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Schoolies preparations well under way: Minister
The tireless volunteers who help keep safe the thousands of teenagers who flock to the Gold Coast for annual Schoolies celebrations will receive a financial boost from the State Government.
Minister for Communities and Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced almost $150,000 in funding for various volunteer groups throughout the state through the government’s Safer Schoolies Initiative Grants.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the majority of the funding – almost $80,000 – would go to the Red Frogs Hotel Chaplaincy to help in their efforts in working the Schoolies crowds across seven Queensland locations including the Gold Coast and Stradbroke Island.
“The volunteers from Red Frogs have been generously and tirelessly donating their time to help keep the kids on the Gold Coast safe for the past 11 years and they need and deserve a helping hand,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Since 1997 this group’s volunteer efforts have evolved from initially providing support to the Gold Coast’s hotel, motel and apartment owners to getting out on the streets and the beach and visiting school-leavers in their accommodation to help ensure everyone is as safe as possible.
“It’s estimated that through Red Frogs efforts at 17 different Schoolies locations across the country – but particularly in Surfers Paradise – they have provided support for an estimated 70,000 kids.
“That’s a magnificent effort and I’m really proud and happy that the government is able to provide this level of funding.”
Additional funding will be provided to volunteer organisations in Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, the Whitsunday region, Yeppoon and on the Sunshine Coast.
With less than three months to go before the annual Gold Coast celebrations kick off, Southport MP Peter Lawlor said accommodation providers had already received in excess of 26,000 on-line bookings for the three week period of the event.
Mr Lawlor said organising the government’s community safety response was well underway with Communities Department officers liaising with police, emergency services, accommodation providers, security services, liquor licensing, transport providers and the Gold Coast City Council.
“It’s a huge task organising the government’s safety response during a three-week event that will ultimately see about 35,000 Queensland and interstate Year 12 graduates flock to Surfers Paradise,” Mr Lawlor said.
“It’s also a task that must look into every detail of the event and cover every base to ensure that these thousands of kids are in the safest possible environment.
“Our volunteer groups undertake a massive job but behind the scenes a variety of other groups have been working away for some time to get that organisation just right.
“It’s a major logistical operation that spans several departments across government.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Schoolies had become a streamlined event since the government became involved in its organisation five years ago.
She said it was vital safety messages and practices were foremost in the planning for the event.
“I wish the Year 12 graduates of 2008 all the best and I encourage them to have a good time but it’s imperative they remain safe.
“That goes for parents too – I’d urge all the mums and dads whose kids will be attending to think carefully and not merely place their children’s safety in someone else’s hands, but to actively communicate with their kids about what’s expected of them.
“There’s a very real and very strong expectation in the community that all of our Schoolies and their parents will behave responsibly.
“And the government is doing its part by delivering the Safer Schoolies program which includes education and other initiatives to keep kids safe and informed.”
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
Minister for Communities and Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced almost $150,000 in funding for various volunteer groups throughout the state through the government’s Safer Schoolies Initiative Grants.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the majority of the funding – almost $80,000 – would go to the Red Frogs Hotel Chaplaincy to help in their efforts in working the Schoolies crowds across seven Queensland locations including the Gold Coast and Stradbroke Island.
“The volunteers from Red Frogs have been generously and tirelessly donating their time to help keep the kids on the Gold Coast safe for the past 11 years and they need and deserve a helping hand,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Since 1997 this group’s volunteer efforts have evolved from initially providing support to the Gold Coast’s hotel, motel and apartment owners to getting out on the streets and the beach and visiting school-leavers in their accommodation to help ensure everyone is as safe as possible.
“It’s estimated that through Red Frogs efforts at 17 different Schoolies locations across the country – but particularly in Surfers Paradise – they have provided support for an estimated 70,000 kids.
“That’s a magnificent effort and I’m really proud and happy that the government is able to provide this level of funding.”
Additional funding will be provided to volunteer organisations in Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, the Whitsunday region, Yeppoon and on the Sunshine Coast.
With less than three months to go before the annual Gold Coast celebrations kick off, Southport MP Peter Lawlor said accommodation providers had already received in excess of 26,000 on-line bookings for the three week period of the event.
Mr Lawlor said organising the government’s community safety response was well underway with Communities Department officers liaising with police, emergency services, accommodation providers, security services, liquor licensing, transport providers and the Gold Coast City Council.
“It’s a huge task organising the government’s safety response during a three-week event that will ultimately see about 35,000 Queensland and interstate Year 12 graduates flock to Surfers Paradise,” Mr Lawlor said.
“It’s also a task that must look into every detail of the event and cover every base to ensure that these thousands of kids are in the safest possible environment.
“Our volunteer groups undertake a massive job but behind the scenes a variety of other groups have been working away for some time to get that organisation just right.
“It’s a major logistical operation that spans several departments across government.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Schoolies had become a streamlined event since the government became involved in its organisation five years ago.
She said it was vital safety messages and practices were foremost in the planning for the event.
“I wish the Year 12 graduates of 2008 all the best and I encourage them to have a good time but it’s imperative they remain safe.
“That goes for parents too – I’d urge all the mums and dads whose kids will be attending to think carefully and not merely place their children’s safety in someone else’s hands, but to actively communicate with their kids about what’s expected of them.
“There’s a very real and very strong expectation in the community that all of our Schoolies and their parents will behave responsibly.
“And the government is doing its part by delivering the Safer Schoolies program which includes education and other initiatives to keep kids safe and informed.”
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874