Funding and support
The Department of Communities provides funding and support for organisations coordinating safety responses in regional locations during Schoolies. Funding is available to enhance the safety and security for Year 12 school leavers and the local communities.
The funding contributes towards the development of innovative, targeted responses to minimise local risks, issues and problems. Projects should have a proactive, preventative approach and respond to issues and challenges that have been identified through past experience in the local community.
Funding enables the provision of safety mechanisms such as registration and wrist banding to easily identify schoolies, recruitment and training of volunteers to give advice and support, free transport, and schoolies only activities in alcohol and drug-free environments.
Funding for Schoolies is available in nominated locations and targeted to appropriate organisations. Check the Department of Communities' Funding Calendar for information about the availability of funding for schoolies community safety responses.
2008 Grant recipients
In 2008 funding was provided for activities and community safety responses in Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Yeppoon, the Gold Coast and on a smaller scale the Sunshine Coast.
Airlie Beach
The Whitsunday Regional Council was allocated funding to develop a series of alcohol and drug-free age-appropriate activities for schoolies at Airlie Beach. The council worked with local stakeholders such as Queensland Police and Queensland Health, as well as community groups, to organise a comprehensive safety program for schoolies.
Gold Coast
Volunteering Gold Coast was allocated funding to recruit, train and manage an army of Schoolies Support Team volunteers to patrol central Surfers Paradise assisting school leavers with directions, bus timetables, health and safety information, and referrals to other support services.
Magnetic Island
Lead On Townsville received funding to develop a series of alcohol and drug-free activities for school leavers on Magnetic Island. Lead On worked in partnership with numerous community groups and authorities, such as Queensland Police, Townsville City Council and Red Frogs Australia to ensure a coordinated safety response for schoolies and local residents.
Yeppoon
The Rockhampton Police and Citizens Welfare Association (PCYC) was allocated funding for Schoolies activities and safety responses in Yeppoon. Working with local authorities and community organisations, the Rockhampton PCYC delivered diversionary activities for the benefit of schoolies and residents.
State-wide
Red Frogs Australia received funding to deliver on-the-ground youth outreach support with more than 1200 volunteers at Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Yeppoon and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
The funding enabled Red Frogs Australia to provide practical in-house support to schoolies and a 24-hour hotline, which was available for schoolies to request a crew member to walk them home safely, have pancakes cooked in their unit, or ask for help to mediate problems with accommodation or other schoolies.
Last reviewed: 13 August 2009