Sunday, November 27, 2005
Schoolies run riot
Sunday Times - 27nov05
POLICE and school leavers organisers are in despair after a meticulously planned schoolies week backfired in Dunsborough.
Schoolies themselves told The Sunday Times the event had become a farce, as the town's innovative attempts to control unruly revellers unravelled.
Taxpayers paid $30,000 for a fenced "leavers-only zone" on a sports ground, which supplied food, music and entertainment.
But schoolies shunned the strictly no-alcohol set up, saying it was a joke that police on horseback tried to "herd them like sheep" into the area.
It remained empty, with the volunteers the only ones inside.
The leavers instead caused mayhem. The town's roads were strewn with vomit and unused condoms, while gardens were trashed and bottles smashed.
There were several fights.
Dunsborough police officer-in-charge Ian Clarke said some leavers couldn't handle their drink and had complete disregard for others.
"We've been shaking our head all night with some of the stuff that's gone on," Sgt Clarke said.
"One offender was brought to our attention by walking up and head-butting a police horse.
"Dunsborough people have left town (for the week) because they just don't want to be here."
Sgt Clarke said this was the first leavers week in which police had discovered crystal methylamphetamine being used.
An 18-year-old man has been charged with possessing the drug, as well as ecstasy, and others were suspected of using it.
Twelve people were arrested in Dunsborough on Friday night and early yesterday, mainly for drug and assault offences.
Dunsborough Leavers Advisory Committee member Joy Cohen said it was sad that the group's effort in setting up the leavers zone had gone to waste.
"I've volunteered for the past three years and it gets more and more dangerous and more and more out of control," she said.
"It's disheartening to see that kids would rather stand in a car park and smash bottles and fight. They want the drama.
"We've worked seven days a week for six months (planning for this year's leavers). Now it's back to the drawing board."
Ms Cohen said the town did not want the revellers.
"(The students) have only one leavers, but we have to put up with this every year. The ratepayers have to fund a party they don't agree with," she said.
Police said the phenomenon of "toolies", older men who attend post-exam celebrations in the hope of having sex with 17-year-old girls, was again a major blight on Dunsborough.
"We have no tolerance for toolies. Police take a very dim view of them," Sgt Clarke said.
Meanwhile, some schoolies accused police of being harsh and heavy-handed.
A 17-year-old youth said he was arrested for street drinking while having his first beer.
"They full-on dragged me to the car," he said. "There's people there selling ecstasy and they arrest me. It's a joke."
Most Dunsborough leavers said they paid about $1000 to fund a four or five-night stay.
POLICE and school leavers organisers are in despair after a meticulously planned schoolies week backfired in Dunsborough.
Schoolies themselves told The Sunday Times the event had become a farce, as the town's innovative attempts to control unruly revellers unravelled.
Taxpayers paid $30,000 for a fenced "leavers-only zone" on a sports ground, which supplied food, music and entertainment.
But schoolies shunned the strictly no-alcohol set up, saying it was a joke that police on horseback tried to "herd them like sheep" into the area.
It remained empty, with the volunteers the only ones inside.
The leavers instead caused mayhem. The town's roads were strewn with vomit and unused condoms, while gardens were trashed and bottles smashed.
There were several fights.
Dunsborough police officer-in-charge Ian Clarke said some leavers couldn't handle their drink and had complete disregard for others.
"We've been shaking our head all night with some of the stuff that's gone on," Sgt Clarke said.
"One offender was brought to our attention by walking up and head-butting a police horse.
"Dunsborough people have left town (for the week) because they just don't want to be here."
Sgt Clarke said this was the first leavers week in which police had discovered crystal methylamphetamine being used.
An 18-year-old man has been charged with possessing the drug, as well as ecstasy, and others were suspected of using it.
Twelve people were arrested in Dunsborough on Friday night and early yesterday, mainly for drug and assault offences.
Dunsborough Leavers Advisory Committee member Joy Cohen said it was sad that the group's effort in setting up the leavers zone had gone to waste.
"I've volunteered for the past three years and it gets more and more dangerous and more and more out of control," she said.
"It's disheartening to see that kids would rather stand in a car park and smash bottles and fight. They want the drama.
"We've worked seven days a week for six months (planning for this year's leavers). Now it's back to the drawing board."
Ms Cohen said the town did not want the revellers.
"(The students) have only one leavers, but we have to put up with this every year. The ratepayers have to fund a party they don't agree with," she said.
Police said the phenomenon of "toolies", older men who attend post-exam celebrations in the hope of having sex with 17-year-old girls, was again a major blight on Dunsborough.
"We have no tolerance for toolies. Police take a very dim view of them," Sgt Clarke said.
Meanwhile, some schoolies accused police of being harsh and heavy-handed.
A 17-year-old youth said he was arrested for street drinking while having his first beer.
"They full-on dragged me to the car," he said. "There's people there selling ecstasy and they arrest me. It's a joke."
Most Dunsborough leavers said they paid about $1000 to fund a four or five-night stay.
