Schoolies on their best behaviour

Schoolies has been in the news recently – tragically, in Queensland, for all the wrong reasons. The Mornington Peninsula is also a popular destination for Schoolies and I have an update from Leading Senior Constable Teresa Baker, our local Youth Resource Officer, who is actively involved in policing this issue.

Fortunately, it’s good news. But, I’ll let her tell you.

The Mornington Peninsula is a popular 'chill out' area for many schoolies. Last Friday, school leavers - mainly from Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs - poured onto the Peninsula for their week-long stay. They’ll be replaced by another wave this weekend.

In comparison to previous years, their behaviour has been remarkable. We have allocated additional police to the area to ensure a timely response to noisy parties and any incidence of unruly behaviour. That has helped contribute to the lack of public order issues we have seen.  

During the day, schoolies choose to chill out at the beach, and those who prefer to catch a few waves go to the Sorrento Ocean Beach. This beach has a lifeguard on patrol from 10am to 6pm for the duration of Schoolies (until December 10).  Police advise the young visitors to avoid going to other surf beaches on the Peninsula, as they are not lifeguarded and can be dangerous.

At night-time, the Conti Hotel in Sorrento has Schoolies gigs for those aged 18 years and older. However, buyer beware!  Promoters pre-sell tickets to these events, but it does not guarantee entry into the hotel if it has reached its licence capacity or if you are not fit to enter!!!

A huge thanks to the Red Frogs volunteers for supporting our schoolies this year.

The friendly but tired faces of our fantastic Red Frogs volunteers have been providing invaluable support to young people attending Schoolies here. That support includes driving schoolies home, giving out bottles of water on hot days, offering lollies (red frogs!), cooking midnight barbies and organising fun activities. By registering at the Red Frogs base at the Rye Sea Scout Hall, schoolies receive a show bag of discounted tourist activities, and a wrist band that grants them free bus travel on the Red Frog Schoolies bus. Local police encourage schoolies to meet the friendly ‘Froggies’ at their base, and certainly greet them whenever they are out and about. They are easily identified wearing their black t-shirts.

We wish all our schoolies good VCE results and success in their chosen careers!

 - L/S/C Baker

The culture of Schoolies locally has certainly changed in recent years. A partnership approach involving police, the Mornington Shire Council, Life Saving Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Red Frogs and local businesses has created an environment where school-leavers can celebrate the end of their school years safely, without the place being turned into ‘party central’, to the disruption of local business and people preparing for their own festive seasons. We hope that next week’s Schoolies and those who come to visit the Peninsula have a great time, whilst treating each other and the local community with respect.

Matt Mulcahy
Senior Sergeant