Tuesday, November 29, 2005
One schoolie in 22 arrests
The Advertiser - 29nov05
ANOTHER two people were arrested at the weekend Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor early yesterday morning.
This takes the total number of arrests to 22 in three days - 21 being adults rather than schoolies.
The arrests were mainly for disorderly behaviour and assaults.
A few isolated incidents of property damage have been reported including the slashing of several car tyres at the South Coast Hospital on Sunday.
One Festival tent, The BankSA Live and Loud tent, was also broken into and property damaged. Police have said they were generally happy with the crowd behaviour in the coastal town over the weekend.
About 4000 people attended the supervised Schoolies 2005 festival in Warland Reserve on Sunday night.
A huge crowd flocked to the Telstra Big tent to see the popular beat boxer Joel Turner and the Modern Day poets.
The Schoolies Festival finished last night and most young people are expected to return home today.
ANOTHER two people were arrested at the weekend Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor early yesterday morning.
This takes the total number of arrests to 22 in three days - 21 being adults rather than schoolies.
The arrests were mainly for disorderly behaviour and assaults.
A few isolated incidents of property damage have been reported including the slashing of several car tyres at the South Coast Hospital on Sunday.
One Festival tent, The BankSA Live and Loud tent, was also broken into and property damaged. Police have said they were generally happy with the crowd behaviour in the coastal town over the weekend.
About 4000 people attended the supervised Schoolies 2005 festival in Warland Reserve on Sunday night.
A huge crowd flocked to the Telstra Big tent to see the popular beat boxer Joel Turner and the Modern Day poets.
The Schoolies Festival finished last night and most young people are expected to return home today.
Day-after pill is schoolies 'safe' choice
Herald Sun - 29nov05
HUNDREDS of young women are risking disease by unprotected sex during schoolies' week.
And they are flocking to chemists for the over-the-counter morning-after pill.
More than 20,000 schoolies from Victoria and NSW are celebrating in Surfers Paradise, and some pharmacists are fed up with the dozens of 17 and 18-year-olds walking through their doors every day.
One said some schoolies were only concerned about potential pregnancies, not about contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Research by Victorian hospitals has shown the rate of STIs in Australia has tripled over the past five years.
Centro Chemist, in the heart of the schoolies precinct, has been handing out morning-after pills regularly since celebrations began on the Gold Coast 11 days ago.
"It goes with the territory," pharmacist Jane said.
"Now that it is so accessible, the schoolies are just treating it like another contraceptive."
Before Australia-wide laws allowing over-the-counter sale of the emergency contraception were passed in January last year, only doctors were able to prescribe it.
Today schoolies pay $31.95 for the pill, which is at least $20 less than the cost of seeing a doctor.
Jane said many of the young women had already taken the pill at least once before.
"It is amazing how many of them are using it as a constant contraceptive," she said.
Jane said it was frustrating for health professionals to see teenagers putting themselves at risk of catching an STI.
"All we can do is advise them to use condoms," she said.
A Day and Night Pharmacy employee said more than 150 schoolies had asked for the morning-after pill from its central Surfers Paradise chemist in the past week.
"It really annoys me when I tell them that they should be using condoms and they just shrug their shoulders," the woman said.
Director of the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children's Hospital, Prof Susan Sawyer, said she was not surprised by the widespread use of the pill.
"We know that one in four young people having sex are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so we understand that schoolies' week is a challenging time for them and there will be a lot of unplanned sex," Prof Sawyer said.
But she said the popularity of the morning-after pill among schoolies was a positive sign teenagers were looking after themselves.
"It is a good thing that the schoolies are seeking emergency contraception in terms of reducing the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
"But we hope that taking the morning-after pill is a step towards more reliable contraception, especially condoms."
HUNDREDS of young women are risking disease by unprotected sex during schoolies' week.
And they are flocking to chemists for the over-the-counter morning-after pill.
More than 20,000 schoolies from Victoria and NSW are celebrating in Surfers Paradise, and some pharmacists are fed up with the dozens of 17 and 18-year-olds walking through their doors every day.
One said some schoolies were only concerned about potential pregnancies, not about contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Research by Victorian hospitals has shown the rate of STIs in Australia has tripled over the past five years.
Centro Chemist, in the heart of the schoolies precinct, has been handing out morning-after pills regularly since celebrations began on the Gold Coast 11 days ago.
"It goes with the territory," pharmacist Jane said.
"Now that it is so accessible, the schoolies are just treating it like another contraceptive."
Before Australia-wide laws allowing over-the-counter sale of the emergency contraception were passed in January last year, only doctors were able to prescribe it.
Today schoolies pay $31.95 for the pill, which is at least $20 less than the cost of seeing a doctor.
Jane said many of the young women had already taken the pill at least once before.
"It is amazing how many of them are using it as a constant contraceptive," she said.
Jane said it was frustrating for health professionals to see teenagers putting themselves at risk of catching an STI.
"All we can do is advise them to use condoms," she said.
A Day and Night Pharmacy employee said more than 150 schoolies had asked for the morning-after pill from its central Surfers Paradise chemist in the past week.
"It really annoys me when I tell them that they should be using condoms and they just shrug their shoulders," the woman said.
Director of the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children's Hospital, Prof Susan Sawyer, said she was not surprised by the widespread use of the pill.
"We know that one in four young people having sex are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so we understand that schoolies' week is a challenging time for them and there will be a lot of unplanned sex," Prof Sawyer said.
But she said the popularity of the morning-after pill among schoolies was a positive sign teenagers were looking after themselves.
"It is a good thing that the schoolies are seeking emergency contraception in terms of reducing the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
"But we hope that taking the morning-after pill is a step towards more reliable contraception, especially condoms."
Schoolies 'brawler' banned
Courier Mail - 29nov05
AN alleged serial Schoolies brawler has been banned from returning to Surfers Paradise after being arrested for the third night in a row.
Southport magistrate Catherine Pirie yesterday ordered 17-year-old Adam James Pluta to stay away from Schoolies celebrations for the rest of the event.
Pluta was charged with causing a public nuisance after allegedly attempting to start a fight with a fellow Schoolies reveller who was dancing with his estranged girlfriend.
It was Pluta's second Schoolies-related court appearance in three days. On Saturday he pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm and was fined $2050.
That same evening television crews filmed Pluta being arrested on the beach for further alleged offences.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow said Pluta was a repeat offender who should not be allowed back into Surfers Paradise.
"He was arrested every night for three nights, and was previously warned by police," Sgt Pedlow said.
"He was seen with his fists raised . . . he constantly stated that he wanted to smash the other person."
Ms Pirie released Pluta on bail until December 9 on the condition that he "not attend Surfers Paradise".
However, Pluta loudly objected to the condition and insisted he had a right to continue partying.
"It's my Schoolies year. I was trying to have a good time," said Pluta, an apprentice renderer from Southport.
School leavers from southern states will continue to celebrate their Schoolies Week until Friday night.
The official 10-day beachfront entertainment program ended on Sunday night, and schoolies are now expected to retreat to nightclubs to find entertainment.
Police have been kept far busier in the second week of Schoolies, with a higher number of arrests of both school leavers and gatecrashers at the weekend.
AN alleged serial Schoolies brawler has been banned from returning to Surfers Paradise after being arrested for the third night in a row.
Southport magistrate Catherine Pirie yesterday ordered 17-year-old Adam James Pluta to stay away from Schoolies celebrations for the rest of the event.
Pluta was charged with causing a public nuisance after allegedly attempting to start a fight with a fellow Schoolies reveller who was dancing with his estranged girlfriend.
It was Pluta's second Schoolies-related court appearance in three days. On Saturday he pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm and was fined $2050.
That same evening television crews filmed Pluta being arrested on the beach for further alleged offences.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow said Pluta was a repeat offender who should not be allowed back into Surfers Paradise.
"He was arrested every night for three nights, and was previously warned by police," Sgt Pedlow said.
"He was seen with his fists raised . . . he constantly stated that he wanted to smash the other person."
Ms Pirie released Pluta on bail until December 9 on the condition that he "not attend Surfers Paradise".
However, Pluta loudly objected to the condition and insisted he had a right to continue partying.
"It's my Schoolies year. I was trying to have a good time," said Pluta, an apprentice renderer from Southport.
School leavers from southern states will continue to celebrate their Schoolies Week until Friday night.
The official 10-day beachfront entertainment program ended on Sunday night, and schoolies are now expected to retreat to nightclubs to find entertainment.
Police have been kept far busier in the second week of Schoolies, with a higher number of arrests of both school leavers and gatecrashers at the weekend.
Late schoolies put faith in power of three
The Age - November 29, 2005
GOOD things come in threes for this group of Victorian teenagers, who have made a schoolies' week pledge to play it safe during their Gold Coast celebrations.
Under their self-imposed rules, these graduates of Eltham's Catholic Ladies College have decided they will only go out in groups of three to minimise the risk of danger.
"We know the risks, it's an issue that we've thought about," said Emma Lanza, 18. "But this (schoolies week) is something we've been looking forward to for ages … and we're just going to stay together and be careful."
The group's arrival in Queensland on Sunday came as the official Gold Coast Schoolies' Week Festival wound up. Queensland police reported that arrests had risen over the 10-day period but congratulated schoolies for their overall behaviour.
There were 466 arrests, of which 122 were schoolies revellers, up from 418 last year when 103 of them were schoolies.
In the Victorian hot spots along the surf coast, police said there had been a number of assaults in Lorne, including one in which a victim suffered a broken jaw, but that Torquay had been relatively crime-free.
Toby Medhurst, youth services team leader for the Surf Coast Shire, said schoolies numbers had been down. Negative publicity about violence in the past may have deterred visitors. But he said an increased police presence in the region, with extra undercover officers, meant Lorne and Torquay were safer for schoolies than in previous years.
Meanwhile, on the Mornington Peninsula, police said there appeared to be more young people this year, but that bad behaviour had been similar to previous school holidays.
"School holidays are a period when you get deliberate acts of criminal vandalism and wanton crime," said Detective Senior Constable Alan Dickinson of the Rosebud criminal investigation unit.
He said many tended to head for a holiday resort, but they seemed to leave their manners and respect somewhere back in Melbourne.
Incidents at the weekend attributed to young people included setting fire to bins and a fence at Sorrento, under-age drinking in Rye and the vandalising of a tennis court in West Rosebud.
GOOD things come in threes for this group of Victorian teenagers, who have made a schoolies' week pledge to play it safe during their Gold Coast celebrations.
Under their self-imposed rules, these graduates of Eltham's Catholic Ladies College have decided they will only go out in groups of three to minimise the risk of danger.
"We know the risks, it's an issue that we've thought about," said Emma Lanza, 18. "But this (schoolies week) is something we've been looking forward to for ages … and we're just going to stay together and be careful."
The group's arrival in Queensland on Sunday came as the official Gold Coast Schoolies' Week Festival wound up. Queensland police reported that arrests had risen over the 10-day period but congratulated schoolies for their overall behaviour.
There were 466 arrests, of which 122 were schoolies revellers, up from 418 last year when 103 of them were schoolies.
In the Victorian hot spots along the surf coast, police said there had been a number of assaults in Lorne, including one in which a victim suffered a broken jaw, but that Torquay had been relatively crime-free.
Toby Medhurst, youth services team leader for the Surf Coast Shire, said schoolies numbers had been down. Negative publicity about violence in the past may have deterred visitors. But he said an increased police presence in the region, with extra undercover officers, meant Lorne and Torquay were safer for schoolies than in previous years.
Meanwhile, on the Mornington Peninsula, police said there appeared to be more young people this year, but that bad behaviour had been similar to previous school holidays.
"School holidays are a period when you get deliberate acts of criminal vandalism and wanton crime," said Detective Senior Constable Alan Dickinson of the Rosebud criminal investigation unit.
He said many tended to head for a holiday resort, but they seemed to leave their manners and respect somewhere back in Melbourne.
Incidents at the weekend attributed to young people included setting fire to bins and a fence at Sorrento, under-age drinking in Rye and the vandalising of a tennis court in West Rosebud.
Schoolies well behaved, say police
The Age - November 28, 2005
Police are reporting a general drop in the number of arrests and crimes associated with school-leaver celebrations at Victoria's Surf Coast compared to last year.
As the celebrations enter their second week, Sergeant Brian McKiterick said the Surf Coast, the most popular schoolies' destination, was "relatively quiet compared to last year".
The officer-in-charge of the Torquay police station said the overall number of schoolies was down about 30 per cent. The number of arrests and reported crimes were also less than last year.
"Overall I would say that they (schoolies) are generally more mature in their outlook compared to other years."
Official figures on the exact numbers of arrests will not be available until after the schoolies' period.
Sgt McKiterick said while there were a "handful" of assaults reported in Lorne. These were fewer in number and "less severe" than previous years.
"There are groups of schoolies involved in altercations with other groups of schoolies and there are unfortunately non-school leavers also involved."
But he said historically the second week of annual end of school holiday period saw more incidents as a larger number of schoolies descended on the region.
"Certainly if things keep going the way they have then we should have a relatively quiet schoolies period, but we do have another two weeks to go and traditionally we have more incidents during the second week."
He said there would continue to be an increased police presence in the towns of Torquay, Angelsea and Lorne until the official end of the schoolies period on December 9.
Police are reporting a general drop in the number of arrests and crimes associated with school-leaver celebrations at Victoria's Surf Coast compared to last year.
As the celebrations enter their second week, Sergeant Brian McKiterick said the Surf Coast, the most popular schoolies' destination, was "relatively quiet compared to last year".
The officer-in-charge of the Torquay police station said the overall number of schoolies was down about 30 per cent. The number of arrests and reported crimes were also less than last year.
"Overall I would say that they (schoolies) are generally more mature in their outlook compared to other years."
Official figures on the exact numbers of arrests will not be available until after the schoolies' period.
Sgt McKiterick said while there were a "handful" of assaults reported in Lorne. These were fewer in number and "less severe" than previous years.
"There are groups of schoolies involved in altercations with other groups of schoolies and there are unfortunately non-school leavers also involved."
But he said historically the second week of annual end of school holiday period saw more incidents as a larger number of schoolies descended on the region.
"Certainly if things keep going the way they have then we should have a relatively quiet schoolies period, but we do have another two weeks to go and traditionally we have more incidents during the second week."
He said there would continue to be an increased police presence in the towns of Torquay, Angelsea and Lorne until the official end of the schoolies period on December 9.
Organisers stand by schoolies strategies
ABC Online - Monday, 28 November 2005.
Organisers have defended the effectiveness of strategies designed to manage behaviour at this year's school leavers celebrations.
Dozens of people were arrested at the weekend in Dunsborough, in south-west Western Australia, and more than 100 people have also been issued with liquor and traffic infringements.
South-west leavers coordinator Rance Driscoll has denied claims that special activities, including a designated leavers only zone, have failed to control antisocial behaviour.
But he admits changes will need to be made before next year's celebrations.
"The basic ideas are there. The issues that need to be looked at is about where it gets done, how the scale is operated and how it's resourced," he said.
"They all need to be looked at in terms of the review that will take place in December or January."
Police say while most school leavers have been well behaved, they are concerned by the growing number of older people attending celebrations.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan says most of those arrested at the weekend have been adults.
"The leavers basically have been behaving themselves. We've issued a few liquor infringements and some move on notices, but generally the school leavers' behaviour has been pretty good," he said.
"We've been concerned by some of the adults, they've been mixing with and we've been taking a hard line with them."
Organisers have defended the effectiveness of strategies designed to manage behaviour at this year's school leavers celebrations.
Dozens of people were arrested at the weekend in Dunsborough, in south-west Western Australia, and more than 100 people have also been issued with liquor and traffic infringements.
South-west leavers coordinator Rance Driscoll has denied claims that special activities, including a designated leavers only zone, have failed to control antisocial behaviour.
But he admits changes will need to be made before next year's celebrations.
"The basic ideas are there. The issues that need to be looked at is about where it gets done, how the scale is operated and how it's resourced," he said.
"They all need to be looked at in terms of the review that will take place in December or January."
Police say while most school leavers have been well behaved, they are concerned by the growing number of older people attending celebrations.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan says most of those arrested at the weekend have been adults.
"The leavers basically have been behaving themselves. We've issued a few liquor infringements and some move on notices, but generally the school leavers' behaviour has been pretty good," he said.
"We've been concerned by some of the adults, they've been mixing with and we've been taking a hard line with them."
Schoolies arrests mount on Gold Coast
aap - 28/11/2005
Police arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges last night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip last night were estimated at 6,500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
Police arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges last night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip last night were estimated at 6,500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
More arrests as Schoolies festival ends
aap - 28/11/2005
Police arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges on Sunday night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip on Sunday night were estimated at 6,500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
Police arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges on Sunday night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip on Sunday night were estimated at 6,500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
Drunk girls all the rage
Herald Sun - 28nov05
CONSTANT binge drinking among young women celebrating schoolies week in Surfers Paradise has led to a number of fights and medical conditions in the past week.
A Herald Sun survey of 70 schoolies in Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay found almost a third of females aged 17-18 were consuming an average 10 standard drinks a day.
Almost all respondents had been drinking vodka, and one 18-year-old admitted drinking almost a whole bottle one night.
More than 30 per cent said they'd been drunk at least five times during the week. The survey also revealed:
MORE than 50 per cent of male schoolies are drinking 15 standard drinks or more each day, with most choosing beer.
ONLY 3 per cent of females had been physically or verbally harassed by toolies or other schoolies, with one reporting she had been spat at by unfriendly locals, and another saying she had been groped.
MORE than 80 per cent said either themselves or someone they knew had been using a fake ID to get into licensed venues.
A crowd of 200 and local camera crews in the Surfers Paradise schoolies precinct watched as two girls tore at each other's hair and threw each other to the ground one night last week.
In the wake of the incident, a Queensland Ambulance officer told the Gold Coast Bulletin at least 60 per cent of schoolies treated were female.
Surfers Paradise SES group leader Noel Scott has been working alongside ambulance staff at their temporary beach-front medical station, set up especially for schoolies.
"There have been quite a few girls in here," Mr Scott said. "There certainly is a fair bit of binge drinking going on."
Mr Scott told the Herald Sun of one female schoolie he attended to on Wednesday afternoon.
"She came in and told us she had 12 drinks the night before and now she felt dizzy," he said.
"Then she told us she had never had a drink before that night.
"It all comes back to the fact they're not experienced drinkers and do not know how to handle it."
But he praised the behaviour of most schoolies.
Queensland police arrested 89 people on Saturday night as up to 10,000 school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89, only 17 were schoolies, mostly from NSW, police said.
CONSTANT binge drinking among young women celebrating schoolies week in Surfers Paradise has led to a number of fights and medical conditions in the past week.
A Herald Sun survey of 70 schoolies in Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay found almost a third of females aged 17-18 were consuming an average 10 standard drinks a day.
Almost all respondents had been drinking vodka, and one 18-year-old admitted drinking almost a whole bottle one night.
More than 30 per cent said they'd been drunk at least five times during the week. The survey also revealed:
MORE than 50 per cent of male schoolies are drinking 15 standard drinks or more each day, with most choosing beer.
ONLY 3 per cent of females had been physically or verbally harassed by toolies or other schoolies, with one reporting she had been spat at by unfriendly locals, and another saying she had been groped.
MORE than 80 per cent said either themselves or someone they knew had been using a fake ID to get into licensed venues.
A crowd of 200 and local camera crews in the Surfers Paradise schoolies precinct watched as two girls tore at each other's hair and threw each other to the ground one night last week.
In the wake of the incident, a Queensland Ambulance officer told the Gold Coast Bulletin at least 60 per cent of schoolies treated were female.
Surfers Paradise SES group leader Noel Scott has been working alongside ambulance staff at their temporary beach-front medical station, set up especially for schoolies.
"There have been quite a few girls in here," Mr Scott said. "There certainly is a fair bit of binge drinking going on."
Mr Scott told the Herald Sun of one female schoolie he attended to on Wednesday afternoon.
"She came in and told us she had 12 drinks the night before and now she felt dizzy," he said.
"Then she told us she had never had a drink before that night.
"It all comes back to the fact they're not experienced drinkers and do not know how to handle it."
But he praised the behaviour of most schoolies.
Queensland police arrested 89 people on Saturday night as up to 10,000 school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89, only 17 were schoolies, mostly from NSW, police said.
58 arrests at schoolies
aap - 28nov05
POLICE arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of New South Wales and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges last night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip last night were estimated at 6500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
POLICE arrested almost 60 people overnight as school-leaver celebrations wound down on the Gold Coast.
Despite thousands of New South Wales and Victorian schoolies flooding the Gold Coast for end-of-school celebrations, police said of the 58 people arrested on 60 charges last night, only 22 were schoolies.
Police said most of the charges related to public nuisance and public intoxication.
Crowd numbers on the tourist strip last night were estimated at 6500.
Gold Coast District Superintendent Brett Pointing said today marked the conclusion of the official Gold Coast Schoolies Week Festival.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate schoolies on their overall behaviour over the 10 days," he said.
"Although the official period of Schoolies Week is now complete, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Surfers Paradise CBD to ensure the safety and welfare of all people in the area."
Schoolies trouble nationwide
Border Mail
QUEENSLAND police were bracing last night for yet another night of excess after heavy rain kept interstate schoolies off the streets of the Gold Coast yesterday.
On Saturday night, 89 people were arrested as thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooded into the Gold Coast for their first night of celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested on Saturday, 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from interstate.
Ninety-five charges, mostly related to public nuisance and drunkenness, arose from the arrests.
Elsewhere, adults dubbed “toolies” have marred end-of-year celebrations for thousands of South Australian high school revellers.
Police on Saturday night arrested nine people for behavioural offences at Victor Harbor.
About 6000 students arrived at the seaside township on Friday night, during which police made about 11 arrests.
“The arrests were not all school leavers and mainly adults for disorderly behaviour and minor assaults,” South Australian police spokesman Colin Haigh said.
In Western Australia, dozens of youngsters were arrested and cautioned for drinking and unruly behaviour as schoolies celebrated over the weekend.
Despite the best efforts of police, including warnings parents would be contacted day or night to collect rowdy youths and alcohol-free “leavers-only zones” in Dunsborough, in the states southwest, trouble has still erupted.
There one youth was arrested after headbutting a police horse.
Police also discovered crystal methylamphetamine being used.
QUEENSLAND police were bracing last night for yet another night of excess after heavy rain kept interstate schoolies off the streets of the Gold Coast yesterday.
On Saturday night, 89 people were arrested as thousands of NSW and Victorian schoolies flooded into the Gold Coast for their first night of celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested on Saturday, 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from interstate.
Ninety-five charges, mostly related to public nuisance and drunkenness, arose from the arrests.
Elsewhere, adults dubbed “toolies” have marred end-of-year celebrations for thousands of South Australian high school revellers.
Police on Saturday night arrested nine people for behavioural offences at Victor Harbor.
About 6000 students arrived at the seaside township on Friday night, during which police made about 11 arrests.
“The arrests were not all school leavers and mainly adults for disorderly behaviour and minor assaults,” South Australian police spokesman Colin Haigh said.
In Western Australia, dozens of youngsters were arrested and cautioned for drinking and unruly behaviour as schoolies celebrated over the weekend.
Despite the best efforts of police, including warnings parents would be contacted day or night to collect rowdy youths and alcohol-free “leavers-only zones” in Dunsborough, in the states southwest, trouble has still erupted.
There one youth was arrested after headbutting a police horse.
Police also discovered crystal methylamphetamine being used.
Banned after three strikes in three days
Gold Coast Bulletin - 29Nov05
A MAGISTRATE has banned a schoolie from going to Surfers Paradise after he was arrested three times at the festival.
Adam James Pluta, 17, of Southport, was ordered to stay away from Schoolies in Surfers Paradise when he faced the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday charged with being a public nuisance.
Police say it could be the first time a court has banned a schoolie from the school leavers' festival.
The condition of the teenager's bail was requested by police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow who said Mr Pluta had been 'arrested every night over three nights' at Schoolies.
Mr Pluta had also been warned by police to change his behaviour on several occasions.
"He has been aggressive to others and said he wanted to fight them," Sgt Pedlow told the court.
He said on Saturday night Mr Pluta took off his shirt and 'thumped his chest with his fists' and said he 'wanted to smash' another person.
He was put in custody and charged with committing a public nuisance.
Yesterday, Mr Pluta entered no plea to the charge and asked for bail.
Sergeant Pedlow did not oppose Mr Pluta's application for bail but asked that the court impose a condition he not go to the Schoolies precinct.
Magistrate Catherine Pirie agreed, saying she believed that this would be appropriate.
She said Mr Pluta had faced court on Saturday and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.
She said he had been fined $1750 and ordered to pay $250 to his victim.
"That's two grand for the weekend," she said.
Sgt Pedlow said the amount of the fine could indicate how serious his offending at Schoolies had been and said the weekend court appearance strengthened his argument.
Mr Pluta objected to being banned from Schoolies, telling the court police had arrested the wrong person.
"I was wearing a bandanna. There were about 100 people wearing bandannas," he said.
"This big guy comes out of nowhere, I said 'let's go' and I punched myself in the face, I got arrested for punching myself.
"It's my Schoolies this year I did nothing wrong."
Mrs Pirie told Mr Pluta his story had not changed her mind.
He was ordered to return to court on December 9.
After being released from Southport watchhouse Mr Pluta, who said he worked as a renderer, said banning him from Schoolies was 'bullshit'.
But he admitted he had been violent at Schoolies.
"I slapped my girlfriend in the face," he said.
"I'm not a nuisance."
Gold Coast district police superintendent Brett Pointing said the court's decision was appropriate.
"We applaud that step because it removes repeat troublemakers from the precinct," he said.
"This is an example of how behaviour at Schoolies can impact and young people need to be aware of the consequences of their actions."
A MAGISTRATE has banned a schoolie from going to Surfers Paradise after he was arrested three times at the festival.
Adam James Pluta, 17, of Southport, was ordered to stay away from Schoolies in Surfers Paradise when he faced the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday charged with being a public nuisance.
Police say it could be the first time a court has banned a schoolie from the school leavers' festival.
The condition of the teenager's bail was requested by police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow who said Mr Pluta had been 'arrested every night over three nights' at Schoolies.
Mr Pluta had also been warned by police to change his behaviour on several occasions.
"He has been aggressive to others and said he wanted to fight them," Sgt Pedlow told the court.
He said on Saturday night Mr Pluta took off his shirt and 'thumped his chest with his fists' and said he 'wanted to smash' another person.
He was put in custody and charged with committing a public nuisance.
Yesterday, Mr Pluta entered no plea to the charge and asked for bail.
Sergeant Pedlow did not oppose Mr Pluta's application for bail but asked that the court impose a condition he not go to the Schoolies precinct.
Magistrate Catherine Pirie agreed, saying she believed that this would be appropriate.
She said Mr Pluta had faced court on Saturday and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.
She said he had been fined $1750 and ordered to pay $250 to his victim.
"That's two grand for the weekend," she said.
Sgt Pedlow said the amount of the fine could indicate how serious his offending at Schoolies had been and said the weekend court appearance strengthened his argument.
Mr Pluta objected to being banned from Schoolies, telling the court police had arrested the wrong person.
"I was wearing a bandanna. There were about 100 people wearing bandannas," he said.
"This big guy comes out of nowhere, I said 'let's go' and I punched myself in the face, I got arrested for punching myself.
"It's my Schoolies this year I did nothing wrong."
Mrs Pirie told Mr Pluta his story had not changed her mind.
He was ordered to return to court on December 9.
After being released from Southport watchhouse Mr Pluta, who said he worked as a renderer, said banning him from Schoolies was 'bullshit'.
But he admitted he had been violent at Schoolies.
"I slapped my girlfriend in the face," he said.
"I'm not a nuisance."
Gold Coast district police superintendent Brett Pointing said the court's decision was appropriate.
"We applaud that step because it removes repeat troublemakers from the precinct," he said.
"This is an example of how behaviour at Schoolies can impact and young people need to be aware of the consequences of their actions."
Monday, November 28, 2005
Girls just want to have fun ...
Sunshine Coast Daily - 27.11.2005
By Peter Gardiner NOT for these Schoolies the all-night rave scene that attracts their Gold Coast counterparts like moths to a brightly destructive flame.
For Angela Pfeffer and friends, their idea of the time of their lives at Schoolies Week was a laidback beach party in the company of friends, playing late night ¡§tig¡¨ and a moonlit swim.
¡§I really love walking along the beach just taking it all in,¡¨ Angela said as she and her four Concordia College mates from Toowoomba checked out of the Mylos apartments at Alexandra Headland yesterday morning.
And perhaps unlike some of the Schoolies revellers on the Gold Coast, the girls had no trouble getting their $110 weekly bond back.
The modest amount of the surety against damage suggests the level of trust local Schoolies have built up in recent years as the worst elements of Schoolies Week run wild at Surfers Paradise.
¡§We specifically chose the Sunshine Coast because it would be more laid back,¡¨ Angela said.
She said they had enjoyed themselvesƒ|...ƒ|often through into the small hours of the night without going overboard.
College mate Sam Borchardt said he had a really good time mixing socially on the ¡§Sunny Coast¡¨ without any hassles. ¡§I enjoyed most being with my friends and meeting lots of new people.¡¨
And while Sam was keen to eventually begin a career in diesel mechanics, Angela contemplated a future as a drama student.
But for now they and their party of 20 are role models for others to follow.
Police and Schoolies Week events organiser Mark Hollis said school leavers were exceptionally well behaved this year. There were crowds of up to 1000 at the organised dance events and no major bouts of misbehaviour.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the call-outs to the Mooloolaba party zones were nothing out of the ordinary.
By Peter Gardiner NOT for these Schoolies the all-night rave scene that attracts their Gold Coast counterparts like moths to a brightly destructive flame.
For Angela Pfeffer and friends, their idea of the time of their lives at Schoolies Week was a laidback beach party in the company of friends, playing late night ¡§tig¡¨ and a moonlit swim.
¡§I really love walking along the beach just taking it all in,¡¨ Angela said as she and her four Concordia College mates from Toowoomba checked out of the Mylos apartments at Alexandra Headland yesterday morning.
And perhaps unlike some of the Schoolies revellers on the Gold Coast, the girls had no trouble getting their $110 weekly bond back.
The modest amount of the surety against damage suggests the level of trust local Schoolies have built up in recent years as the worst elements of Schoolies Week run wild at Surfers Paradise.
¡§We specifically chose the Sunshine Coast because it would be more laid back,¡¨ Angela said.
She said they had enjoyed themselvesƒ|...ƒ|often through into the small hours of the night without going overboard.
College mate Sam Borchardt said he had a really good time mixing socially on the ¡§Sunny Coast¡¨ without any hassles. ¡§I enjoyed most being with my friends and meeting lots of new people.¡¨
And while Sam was keen to eventually begin a career in diesel mechanics, Angela contemplated a future as a drama student.
But for now they and their party of 20 are role models for others to follow.
Police and Schoolies Week events organiser Mark Hollis said school leavers were exceptionally well behaved this year. There were crowds of up to 1000 at the organised dance events and no major bouts of misbehaviour.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the call-outs to the Mooloolaba party zones were nothing out of the ordinary.
Southern cousins in double trouble
Gold Coast Bulletin - 28Nov05
NSW schoolies made a worse start to their celebrations than their younger Queensland counterparts over the weekend.
Seventeen schoolies from NSW were charged on Saturday night from a total of 89 arrests, as 20,000 southerners arrived in the party precinct and the Queenslanders moved on. In contrast, nine Queensland schoolies were detained among 65 arrests on their opening night.
Confusion over Queensland's public drinking laws has been identified as the reason for the record 206 alcohol fines on Saturday.
NSW schoolies accounted for 99 of the tickets handed out by police and officers from Queensland's Liquor Licensing Division.
In keeping with the previous week, public nuisance and drunk and disorderly accounted for the bulk of the arrests.
Gold Coast district police superintendent Brett Pointing said 20 to 30 people would be arrested in Surfers Paradise on an average Saturday night.
Supt Pointing said interstate schoolies had learned a sharp lesson about Queensland's drinking laws.
"Saturday night was a very timely reminder for schoolies from NSW that Queensland has slightly different laws to some parts of NSW in regards to drinking in public," he said.
"You cannot drink in a public place in Queensland. We have to educate people who come here about our laws."
There were also four people arrested on Saturday for possessing small amounts of cannabis.
According to Drug Arm Australasia, managers of the Schoolies precinct's Recharge Zone, 15 per cent of schoolies will take marijuana at the festival.
On Friday night ambulance officers took a schoolie, who had taken a drug overdose at an Orchid Avenue apartment, to hospital.
The interstate schoolies brought a cosmopolitan feel to the event on Saturday night. While many girls from Queensland wore tank tops and thongs last week, the older southerners wore heels and designer dresses in order to enjoy the Gold Coast's revered night life.
Despite the discrepancy in infringements and arrests, Supt Pointing has commended the behaviour of schoolies during the festival.
The event has improved since the incident-marred Schoolies Festival of 2002.
"The public safety model in place today minimises a lot of the risks," he said.
Toolies older males who have returned to the event have accounted for 75 per cent of arrests during the event.
NSW schoolies made a worse start to their celebrations than their younger Queensland counterparts over the weekend.
Seventeen schoolies from NSW were charged on Saturday night from a total of 89 arrests, as 20,000 southerners arrived in the party precinct and the Queenslanders moved on. In contrast, nine Queensland schoolies were detained among 65 arrests on their opening night.
Confusion over Queensland's public drinking laws has been identified as the reason for the record 206 alcohol fines on Saturday.
NSW schoolies accounted for 99 of the tickets handed out by police and officers from Queensland's Liquor Licensing Division.
In keeping with the previous week, public nuisance and drunk and disorderly accounted for the bulk of the arrests.
Gold Coast district police superintendent Brett Pointing said 20 to 30 people would be arrested in Surfers Paradise on an average Saturday night.
Supt Pointing said interstate schoolies had learned a sharp lesson about Queensland's drinking laws.
"Saturday night was a very timely reminder for schoolies from NSW that Queensland has slightly different laws to some parts of NSW in regards to drinking in public," he said.
"You cannot drink in a public place in Queensland. We have to educate people who come here about our laws."
There were also four people arrested on Saturday for possessing small amounts of cannabis.
According to Drug Arm Australasia, managers of the Schoolies precinct's Recharge Zone, 15 per cent of schoolies will take marijuana at the festival.
On Friday night ambulance officers took a schoolie, who had taken a drug overdose at an Orchid Avenue apartment, to hospital.
The interstate schoolies brought a cosmopolitan feel to the event on Saturday night. While many girls from Queensland wore tank tops and thongs last week, the older southerners wore heels and designer dresses in order to enjoy the Gold Coast's revered night life.
Despite the discrepancy in infringements and arrests, Supt Pointing has commended the behaviour of schoolies during the festival.
The event has improved since the incident-marred Schoolies Festival of 2002.
"The public safety model in place today minimises a lot of the risks," he said.
Toolies older males who have returned to the event have accounted for 75 per cent of arrests during the event.
Schoolies wind up party
Townsville Bulletin - 28nov05
THEY came, they saw and, oh boy, did they have a good time.
Schoolies' revellers lapped up the party atmosphere on Magnetic Island at the weekend, some stumbling off ferries yesterday bleary eyed, others skipping away sporting smiles a mile wide.
They came from far and wide, but mostly they were from Townsville, the Atherton Tablelands and Charters Towers, using the opportunity to celebrate Schoolies Week in a picturesque setting and meet fellow North Queenslanders about to make the huge step into the big, wide world.
Police earlier reported this year's schoolies crowd as 'the best for years'.
Marybeth Hartin, 18, Megan Napier, 17, and Cassandra Ryan, 17, from Malanda celebrated the end of 13 years of schooling in style, renting a unit in Arcadia.
The girls gave the Magnetic Island Schoolies experience a nine out of 10, mainly for the great weather and scenery.
Events throughout the week were supervised and sponsored by police, Townsville City Council, the Department of Communities, Department of Health, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service, Queensland Ambulance, Magnetic Island businesses and other organisations.
There was even a team of volunteers the schoolies nicknamed 'red froggers' who handed out red lollies and checked on the welfare of schoolies.
"The red froggers did a great job of looking after everyone," Ms Napier said.
"The police were a bit mean. But I guess they were just doing their job. We got told to turn our music down and couldn't hear it anymore."
Police reported minor noise complaints during the week-long event, but said before the weekend they were very happy about the behaviour of the revellers.
Shannon Butler, 16, from Kirwan High said while Magnetic Island may not attract the same crowd numbers as the Gold Coast, the attraction of the island was its quietness and the diversity of activities available.
"I'd give Maggie a seven out of 10," Ms Butler said.
"It isn't a big party, it's more of a holiday, and that's what I like.
"I went to Airlie Beach and it was a bit boring because there's nothing to do there besides go to the lagoon, but on Maggie there are all the bays."
Micaela Moore, 17, from Pimlico High said she and her friends were a little disappointed by the lack of school leavers partying on the island on Saturday night, but they were content to just relax and soak up the sun.
"We veged out the whole time, we were really lazy," Ms Moore said.
"We had fun, but we didn't exactly party."
THEY came, they saw and, oh boy, did they have a good time.
Schoolies' revellers lapped up the party atmosphere on Magnetic Island at the weekend, some stumbling off ferries yesterday bleary eyed, others skipping away sporting smiles a mile wide.
They came from far and wide, but mostly they were from Townsville, the Atherton Tablelands and Charters Towers, using the opportunity to celebrate Schoolies Week in a picturesque setting and meet fellow North Queenslanders about to make the huge step into the big, wide world.
Police earlier reported this year's schoolies crowd as 'the best for years'.
Marybeth Hartin, 18, Megan Napier, 17, and Cassandra Ryan, 17, from Malanda celebrated the end of 13 years of schooling in style, renting a unit in Arcadia.
The girls gave the Magnetic Island Schoolies experience a nine out of 10, mainly for the great weather and scenery.
Events throughout the week were supervised and sponsored by police, Townsville City Council, the Department of Communities, Department of Health, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service, Queensland Ambulance, Magnetic Island businesses and other organisations.
There was even a team of volunteers the schoolies nicknamed 'red froggers' who handed out red lollies and checked on the welfare of schoolies.
"The red froggers did a great job of looking after everyone," Ms Napier said.
"The police were a bit mean. But I guess they were just doing their job. We got told to turn our music down and couldn't hear it anymore."
Police reported minor noise complaints during the week-long event, but said before the weekend they were very happy about the behaviour of the revellers.
Shannon Butler, 16, from Kirwan High said while Magnetic Island may not attract the same crowd numbers as the Gold Coast, the attraction of the island was its quietness and the diversity of activities available.
"I'd give Maggie a seven out of 10," Ms Butler said.
"It isn't a big party, it's more of a holiday, and that's what I like.
"I went to Airlie Beach and it was a bit boring because there's nothing to do there besides go to the lagoon, but on Maggie there are all the bays."
Micaela Moore, 17, from Pimlico High said she and her friends were a little disappointed by the lack of school leavers partying on the island on Saturday night, but they were content to just relax and soak up the sun.
"We veged out the whole time, we were really lazy," Ms Moore said.
"We had fun, but we didn't exactly party."
Schoolies enter second week
Townsville Bulletin - 27nov05
QUEENSLAND police arrested 89 people last night as thousands of New South Wales school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested, only 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from NSW, police said today.
A total of 95 charges, mostly related to public nuisance and public intoxication, arose from the arrests.
Police estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise for the annual event last night, but said significantly more schoolies aged 18 and over accessed the nightclubs.
Police also issued 206 liquor fines last night – 99 of those to schoolies.
Gold Coast District Officer Superintendent Brett Pointing described last night's celebrations as "relatively unproblematic" and praised schoolies' overall behaviour.
"We urge schoolies to enjoy their time on the Gold Coast, party safe, party with your mates not strangers and go home with fond memories of Schoolies 2005," Supt Pointing said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today said he was also pleased with the schoolies festivities.
Mr Beattie said while he has yet to see a final police report on Queensland school leavers' behaviour, this year's event seemed no more violent than previous ones.
"Look, no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there but generally, overall it went well," Mr Beattie said on ABC radio.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
NSW schoolies are set to party on the Gold Coast all of this week.
Their Queensland counterparts finished a week of celebrations yesterday.
Police have attributed most of the arrests during the celebrations to older revellers.
QUEENSLAND police arrested 89 people last night as thousands of New South Wales school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested, only 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from NSW, police said today.
A total of 95 charges, mostly related to public nuisance and public intoxication, arose from the arrests.
Police estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise for the annual event last night, but said significantly more schoolies aged 18 and over accessed the nightclubs.
Police also issued 206 liquor fines last night – 99 of those to schoolies.
Gold Coast District Officer Superintendent Brett Pointing described last night's celebrations as "relatively unproblematic" and praised schoolies' overall behaviour.
"We urge schoolies to enjoy their time on the Gold Coast, party safe, party with your mates not strangers and go home with fond memories of Schoolies 2005," Supt Pointing said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today said he was also pleased with the schoolies festivities.
Mr Beattie said while he has yet to see a final police report on Queensland school leavers' behaviour, this year's event seemed no more violent than previous ones.
"Look, no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there but generally, overall it went well," Mr Beattie said on ABC radio.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
NSW schoolies are set to party on the Gold Coast all of this week.
Their Queensland counterparts finished a week of celebrations yesterday.
Police have attributed most of the arrests during the celebrations to older revellers.
Schoolie bashing can't spoil Victor's party fun
The Advertiser - 28nov05
THE bashing of a school leaver by a gang of "toolies" has marred a successful weekend of schoolies celebrations at Victor Harbor.
Simon Wegener, 18, of Angle Vale, will spend the rest of his schoolies week in the Flinders Medical Centre, recovering from injuries suffered when he was assaulted by a group of seven adults.
The assault was the only serious blemish related to the celebration, where thousands of young people enjoyed themselves.
Mr Wegener and two friends, Sam Montgomerie and Matthew Brooks, both 18, were walking into Victor Harbor about 9pm on Saturday when a fight broke out on the corner of Victoria Rd and Bay Rd.
"We walked past this group of people and a comment was taken the wrong way," Mr Wegener said.
"We were about 200m down the road when about seven guys caught up to us and before we knew it, we were all on the deck."
Mr Wegener suffered a broken cheek, broken nose, swelling and bruising. He will undergo surgery and is expected to remain in hospital until at least Thursday.
The behaviour of so-called "toolies", older people who crash schoolies events, has been a problem again this year in Victor Harbor as 6000 school leavers wind down.
On the Gold Coast, up to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise on Saturday night for the country's biggest schoolies festival, where police arrested 89 people, but only 17 were schoolies.
From his hospital bed in Adelaide yesterday, Mr Wegener said: "There were six big guys on to the three of us and they were punching and kicking me in the head," Mr Wegener said.
The fight ended when an ambulance crew approached the scene and the seven men ran off. Mr Wegener was taken to Victor Harbor hospital then transferred to Flinders Medical Centre. Mr Montgomerie and Mr Brooks suffered minor injuries. Police had arrested 20 people in the town since Friday, mostly adults.
Superintendent Michael Cornish said police were generally pleased with the behaviour of school leavers. He said police were investigating an alleged sexual assault involving two people who were not part of the schoolies festivities.
Various incidents of vandalism, including broken windows, were reported, but Victor Harbor Mayor Scott Schubert was pleased.
"I would say it has improved about 1000 per cent," he said.
THE bashing of a school leaver by a gang of "toolies" has marred a successful weekend of schoolies celebrations at Victor Harbor.
Simon Wegener, 18, of Angle Vale, will spend the rest of his schoolies week in the Flinders Medical Centre, recovering from injuries suffered when he was assaulted by a group of seven adults.
The assault was the only serious blemish related to the celebration, where thousands of young people enjoyed themselves.
Mr Wegener and two friends, Sam Montgomerie and Matthew Brooks, both 18, were walking into Victor Harbor about 9pm on Saturday when a fight broke out on the corner of Victoria Rd and Bay Rd.
"We walked past this group of people and a comment was taken the wrong way," Mr Wegener said.
"We were about 200m down the road when about seven guys caught up to us and before we knew it, we were all on the deck."
Mr Wegener suffered a broken cheek, broken nose, swelling and bruising. He will undergo surgery and is expected to remain in hospital until at least Thursday.
The behaviour of so-called "toolies", older people who crash schoolies events, has been a problem again this year in Victor Harbor as 6000 school leavers wind down.
On the Gold Coast, up to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise on Saturday night for the country's biggest schoolies festival, where police arrested 89 people, but only 17 were schoolies.
From his hospital bed in Adelaide yesterday, Mr Wegener said: "There were six big guys on to the three of us and they were punching and kicking me in the head," Mr Wegener said.
The fight ended when an ambulance crew approached the scene and the seven men ran off. Mr Wegener was taken to Victor Harbor hospital then transferred to Flinders Medical Centre. Mr Montgomerie and Mr Brooks suffered minor injuries. Police had arrested 20 people in the town since Friday, mostly adults.
Superintendent Michael Cornish said police were generally pleased with the behaviour of school leavers. He said police were investigating an alleged sexual assault involving two people who were not part of the schoolies festivities.
Various incidents of vandalism, including broken windows, were reported, but Victor Harbor Mayor Scott Schubert was pleased.
"I would say it has improved about 1000 per cent," he said.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Woman raped at schoolies party
AAP - November 27, 2005
A 19-year-old woman has been sexually assaulted during end-of-year schoolies celebrations south of Adelaide.
Police allege the woman was raped by a man early this morning after leaving a party in the popular seaside town of Victor Harbor.
"The (alleged) rape is not a stranger-related matter," said Superintendent Michael Cornish from South Coast police.
"The offender was known to the woman."
Supt Cornish said the woman was initially reluctant to report the matter to police but several of her friends notified authorities about 4.40am (CDT) today.
More than 6000 revellers have flocked to Victor Harbor for the schoolies celebrations with a total of 20 people being arrested for behavioural offences since Friday.
"Overall, we are quite pleased with the behaviour of schoolies and the many other people that have come down for the festivities," Supt Cornish said.
One of the worst incidents so far involved a large brawl of up to 20 youths in Victor Harbor about 9.30pm (CST) yesterday, but no one was badly hurt and no arrests were made.
"Three male youths were assaulted by seven other males – the victims suffered non life-threatening injuries," he said.
In another incident, a security car was allegedly overturned by a group of teenagers, causing up to $3000 damage.
Most celebrations have been around the grassed area of the Crown Hotel in the main street of Victor Harbor.
"We've really had no major incidents near the hotel and crowds have been a little down on previous years," said Crown Hotel manager Tristan Kay.
"It's probably the best behaviour at schoolies we've had for a few years."
A 19-year-old woman has been sexually assaulted during end-of-year schoolies celebrations south of Adelaide.
Police allege the woman was raped by a man early this morning after leaving a party in the popular seaside town of Victor Harbor.
"The (alleged) rape is not a stranger-related matter," said Superintendent Michael Cornish from South Coast police.
"The offender was known to the woman."
Supt Cornish said the woman was initially reluctant to report the matter to police but several of her friends notified authorities about 4.40am (CDT) today.
More than 6000 revellers have flocked to Victor Harbor for the schoolies celebrations with a total of 20 people being arrested for behavioural offences since Friday.
"Overall, we are quite pleased with the behaviour of schoolies and the many other people that have come down for the festivities," Supt Cornish said.
One of the worst incidents so far involved a large brawl of up to 20 youths in Victor Harbor about 9.30pm (CST) yesterday, but no one was badly hurt and no arrests were made.
"Three male youths were assaulted by seven other males – the victims suffered non life-threatening injuries," he said.
In another incident, a security car was allegedly overturned by a group of teenagers, causing up to $3000 damage.
Most celebrations have been around the grassed area of the Crown Hotel in the main street of Victor Harbor.
"We've really had no major incidents near the hotel and crowds have been a little down on previous years," said Crown Hotel manager Tristan Kay.
"It's probably the best behaviour at schoolies we've had for a few years."
Beattie pleased with Schoolies festival
ABC Online - Sunday, 27 November 2005.
Schoolies from New South Wales have arrived in Surfers Paradise (file photo).ABC
The Queensland Premier says he is pleased with this year's Schoolies festival on the Gold Coast.
The end of school event wrapped up for Queensland school leavers yesterday, with Schoolies from New South Wales flooding to Surfers Paradise yesterday.
Last night 89 people were arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour and being a public nuisance.
Seventeen of them were Schoolies.
Peter Beattie says he has not seen the final police report for the week, but says this year's event was no more violent than previous years.
"Look no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there," he said.
"But generally, overall it went well.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
Schoolies from New South Wales have arrived in Surfers Paradise (file photo).ABC
The Queensland Premier says he is pleased with this year's Schoolies festival on the Gold Coast.
The end of school event wrapped up for Queensland school leavers yesterday, with Schoolies from New South Wales flooding to Surfers Paradise yesterday.
Last night 89 people were arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour and being a public nuisance.
Seventeen of them were Schoolies.
Peter Beattie says he has not seen the final police report for the week, but says this year's event was no more violent than previous years.
"Look no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there," he said.
"But generally, overall it went well.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
"Toolies" spoil it for the kids
aap - 27nov05
ADULTS dubbed "toolies" have marred end-of-year celebrations for thousands of South Australian high school revellers.
Police last night arrested nine people for behavioural offences at Victor Harbor, a popular schoolies venue located on Adelaide's south coast.
In a smaller version of the popular Gold Coast schoolies festival, about 6,000 students arrived at the seaside township on Friday night, during which police made about 11 arrests.
"The arrests were not all school leavers and mainly adults for disorderly behaviour and minor assaults," police spokesman Colin Haigh said.
Local residents say about 100 extra police had been sent to the town to cope with the large influx of adults who are involved in the school celebrations this year.
One of the worst incidents so far involved a large brawl of up to 20 youths, however no one was seriously injured or arrested.
In another incident, a security car was allegedly overturned by a group of teenagers, causing up to $3,000 damage.
Most of the celebrations have been centred around the lawned area of the Crown Hotel in the main street of Victor Harbor.
"We've really had no major incidents near the hotel and crowds have been a little down on previous years," said Crown Hotel manager Tristan Kay.
"It's probably the best behaviour at schoolies we've had for a few years."
To ensure the safety of revellers, more than 350 volunteers are involved in this year's celebrations and a 24-hour cafe has been set up as a refuge from other activities.
Meanwhile, the local South Coast Health Service has rostered on extra staff including several with previous experience of Schoolies celebrations and with expertise in drug-related issues.
Extra beds have also been provided at the hospital.
Schoolies celebrations will continue until Friday.
ADULTS dubbed "toolies" have marred end-of-year celebrations for thousands of South Australian high school revellers.
Police last night arrested nine people for behavioural offences at Victor Harbor, a popular schoolies venue located on Adelaide's south coast.
In a smaller version of the popular Gold Coast schoolies festival, about 6,000 students arrived at the seaside township on Friday night, during which police made about 11 arrests.
"The arrests were not all school leavers and mainly adults for disorderly behaviour and minor assaults," police spokesman Colin Haigh said.
Local residents say about 100 extra police had been sent to the town to cope with the large influx of adults who are involved in the school celebrations this year.
One of the worst incidents so far involved a large brawl of up to 20 youths, however no one was seriously injured or arrested.
In another incident, a security car was allegedly overturned by a group of teenagers, causing up to $3,000 damage.
Most of the celebrations have been centred around the lawned area of the Crown Hotel in the main street of Victor Harbor.
"We've really had no major incidents near the hotel and crowds have been a little down on previous years," said Crown Hotel manager Tristan Kay.
"It's probably the best behaviour at schoolies we've had for a few years."
To ensure the safety of revellers, more than 350 volunteers are involved in this year's celebrations and a 24-hour cafe has been set up as a refuge from other activities.
Meanwhile, the local South Coast Health Service has rostered on extra staff including several with previous experience of Schoolies celebrations and with expertise in drug-related issues.
Extra beds have also been provided at the hospital.
Schoolies celebrations will continue until Friday.
Schoolies enter second week
aap - 27nov05
QUEENSLAND police arrested 89 people last night as thousands of New South Wales school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested, only 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from NSW, police said today.
A total of 95 charges, mostly related to public nuisance and public intoxication, arose from the arrests.
Police estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise for the annual event last night, but said significantly more schoolies aged 18 and over accessed the nightclubs.
Police also issued 206 liquor fines last night – 99 of those to schoolies.
Gold Coast District Officer Superintendent Brett Pointing described last night's celebrations as "relatively unproblematic" and praised schoolies' overall behaviour.
"We urge schoolies to enjoy their time on the Gold Coast, party safe, party with your mates not strangers and go home with fond memories of Schoolies 2005," Supt Pointing said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today said he was also pleased with the schoolies festivities.
Mr Beattie said while he has yet to see a final police report on Queensland school leavers' behaviour, this year's event seemed no more violent than previous ones.
"Look, no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there but generally, overall it went well," Mr Beattie said on ABC radio.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
NSW schoolies are set to party on the Gold Coast all of this week.
Their Queensland counterparts finished a week of celebrations yesterday.
Police have attributed most of the arrests during the celebrations to older revellers.
QUEENSLAND police arrested 89 people last night as thousands of New South Wales school leavers flooded the Gold Coast for their first night of schoolies celebrations.
Of the 89 people arrested, only 17 were schoolies, who were mostly from NSW, police said today.
A total of 95 charges, mostly related to public nuisance and public intoxication, arose from the arrests.
Police estimated between 8,000 to 10,000 people converged on Surfers Paradise for the annual event last night, but said significantly more schoolies aged 18 and over accessed the nightclubs.
Police also issued 206 liquor fines last night – 99 of those to schoolies.
Gold Coast District Officer Superintendent Brett Pointing described last night's celebrations as "relatively unproblematic" and praised schoolies' overall behaviour.
"We urge schoolies to enjoy their time on the Gold Coast, party safe, party with your mates not strangers and go home with fond memories of Schoolies 2005," Supt Pointing said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today said he was also pleased with the schoolies festivities.
Mr Beattie said while he has yet to see a final police report on Queensland school leavers' behaviour, this year's event seemed no more violent than previous ones.
"Look, no event like this is perfect and of course there were problems here and there but generally, overall it went well," Mr Beattie said on ABC radio.
"Overall the police are generally happy, the organisers are."
NSW schoolies are set to party on the Gold Coast all of this week.
Their Queensland counterparts finished a week of celebrations yesterday.
Police have attributed most of the arrests during the celebrations to older revellers.
Girl charged over Schoolies assault
ABC Online
A girl has been charged with assaulting a customer at a fast food outlet during Schoolies week celebrations at Victor Harbor, south of Adelaide.
The incident happened shortly after 9:00pm AWDT, and police say the two teenage girls knew each other, neither suffered serious injuries.
Sergeant Phil Hoff says the crowd has been otherwise well behaved.
"The crowds at Victor Harbor have been good, there's been a general spirit of bonhomie between the students, the event seems to be running well," he said.
A girl has been charged with assaulting a customer at a fast food outlet during Schoolies week celebrations at Victor Harbor, south of Adelaide.
The incident happened shortly after 9:00pm AWDT, and police say the two teenage girls knew each other, neither suffered serious injuries.
Sergeant Phil Hoff says the crowd has been otherwise well behaved.
"The crowds at Victor Harbor have been good, there's been a general spirit of bonhomie between the students, the event seems to be running well," he said.
Qld police tell southern Schoolies to behave
ABC Online
Police on Queensland's Gold Coast are urging students from Victoria and New South Wales to behave during Schoolies celebrations.
The event has officially wound up for Queensland students, with police arresting 59 people overnight.
Police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey says police will now turn their attention to the thousands of students who have arrived from the southern states.
"A majority of the arrests have involved non-schoolies, so it's fair to say on a typical weekend there'd be about 30 arrests in Surfers Paradise anyway," she said.
"I guess looking at having that increased number from Schoolies, the number of arrests haven't been too bad at all."
Police on Queensland's Gold Coast are urging students from Victoria and New South Wales to behave during Schoolies celebrations.
The event has officially wound up for Queensland students, with police arresting 59 people overnight.
Police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey says police will now turn their attention to the thousands of students who have arrived from the southern states.
"A majority of the arrests have involved non-schoolies, so it's fair to say on a typical weekend there'd be about 30 arrests in Surfers Paradise anyway," she said.
"I guess looking at having that increased number from Schoolies, the number of arrests haven't been too bad at all."
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.
Toolies spoil the fun
Sunday Times - 27nov05
SCHOOLIES' predators – known as toolies – are to blame for disrupting celebrations on Rottnest Island.
Sgt Paul van Noort said most trouble had been caused by youths aged 18 to 20.
"The toolies again have come to notice," he said.
"They were more prevalent last night. They come in and join the festivities, which is always a concern. We monitor them closely."
About 150 infringements and cautions for alcohol offences were issued during the first two days of leavers' week and 13 schoolies were taken to the island nursing post to sober up.
Police were disappointed that young adults who had been given responsibility for tenants in each chalet were among those being treated for alcohol abuse.
Police have evicted five people from the island, including two youths who returned on Friday after being given their marching orders a day earlier.
About 1500 schoolies are booked on the island, but plenty of burnt-out teenagers boarded ferries back to the mainland yesterday, a day earlier than they had booked.
A youth who collapsed at the Basin on Friday and was revived by friends remains in a stable condition in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Doctors have not yet determined what caused his collapse.
Rottnest senior ranger Chris Mather said several quokkas became sick after drinking from discarded cans of alcohol.
SCHOOLIES' predators – known as toolies – are to blame for disrupting celebrations on Rottnest Island.
Sgt Paul van Noort said most trouble had been caused by youths aged 18 to 20.
"The toolies again have come to notice," he said.
"They were more prevalent last night. They come in and join the festivities, which is always a concern. We monitor them closely."
About 150 infringements and cautions for alcohol offences were issued during the first two days of leavers' week and 13 schoolies were taken to the island nursing post to sober up.
Police were disappointed that young adults who had been given responsibility for tenants in each chalet were among those being treated for alcohol abuse.
Police have evicted five people from the island, including two youths who returned on Friday after being given their marching orders a day earlier.
About 1500 schoolies are booked on the island, but plenty of burnt-out teenagers boarded ferries back to the mainland yesterday, a day earlier than they had booked.
A youth who collapsed at the Basin on Friday and was revived by friends remains in a stable condition in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Doctors have not yet determined what caused his collapse.
Rottnest senior ranger Chris Mather said several quokkas became sick after drinking from discarded cans of alcohol.
Playing with fire
Sunday Mail - 27nov05
IT MAY have seemed like a good idea at the time – but an after-dark dash through a frenzied Schoolies crowd by these two teenagers could easily have ended in disaster.
Clad only in bikinis, the schoolgirls aged 16 and 17 paraded through the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise where up to 30,000 boozed-up schoolies partied.
Seen by The Sunday Mail, their appearance about 7.40pm last Saturday sparked a crowd surge, cheers and wolf-whistles. But when some male schoolies began groping at them, the pair fled to the beach.
Volunteers working the streets were shocked by the girls' antics.
"Those girls were putting themselves in danger. It's very silly. They might not have been thinking straight at the time," Rosies street vans manager Gary Parsons told The Sunday Mail.
He said the girls had been caught "in the moment".
"You have to imagine yourself there. It's such a buzz down there for the kids," he said.
"It's an adrenalin rush. You can lose control."
Griffith University cultural and sociology studies lecturer Felicity Grace blamed the girls' behaviour on pressure to be noticed.
"To look at those two girls, I see Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton," Dr Grace said. "They're the role models for being a girl.
"We've upped the ante on being visible and spectacularly visible.
"There is a generation now who think being famous is a career move."
But Dr Grace emphasised there needed to be some responsibility by males for their behaviour to the girls.
"At the end I think there has got to be a balance, against the girls for their behaviour and for the boys being responsible for their behaviour, too," she said.
The two girls defended their actions and denied they were ever in danger.
"I wouldn't have come out if I didn't think I felt safe," the 17-year-old said.
Her friend added: "I wouldn't come out if it was dangerous. It's just awesome. The atmosphere is so good. Everyone is partying hard."
This year's festival is fast earning a reputation as the wildest week on record, with police, paramedics and volunteers admitting they are stunned by the behaviour of schoolies and the excessive drinking.
In the past week 319 people were arrested, 82 of them schoolies.
Most were for drunkenness and public nuisance offences. There have also been reports of sexual attacks.
Ambulance officers estimate 60 per cent of the drunks they treated were young women who were "trying to keep up with the boys".
"They are having four or five shots of liqueur and then half a bottle of vodka and becoming very drunk," Queensland Ambulance Service Schoolies co-ordinator Allan Windsor said.
Another volunteer said authorities were at a loss to prevent binge drinking.
"They go hard and come out on the street. They end up spewing their guts out," he said.
"I don't know what the answer is."
Drugs have also been a problem, with some school-leavers claiming young female drug pushers were working the Esplanade and beach offering ecstasy for $35 a tablet.
A Gold Coast Hospital spokeswoman confirmed drug-affected schoolies had been treated but could not say how many.
IT MAY have seemed like a good idea at the time – but an after-dark dash through a frenzied Schoolies crowd by these two teenagers could easily have ended in disaster.
Clad only in bikinis, the schoolgirls aged 16 and 17 paraded through the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise where up to 30,000 boozed-up schoolies partied.
Seen by The Sunday Mail, their appearance about 7.40pm last Saturday sparked a crowd surge, cheers and wolf-whistles. But when some male schoolies began groping at them, the pair fled to the beach.
Volunteers working the streets were shocked by the girls' antics.
"Those girls were putting themselves in danger. It's very silly. They might not have been thinking straight at the time," Rosies street vans manager Gary Parsons told The Sunday Mail.
He said the girls had been caught "in the moment".
"You have to imagine yourself there. It's such a buzz down there for the kids," he said.
"It's an adrenalin rush. You can lose control."
Griffith University cultural and sociology studies lecturer Felicity Grace blamed the girls' behaviour on pressure to be noticed.
"To look at those two girls, I see Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton," Dr Grace said. "They're the role models for being a girl.
"We've upped the ante on being visible and spectacularly visible.
"There is a generation now who think being famous is a career move."
But Dr Grace emphasised there needed to be some responsibility by males for their behaviour to the girls.
"At the end I think there has got to be a balance, against the girls for their behaviour and for the boys being responsible for their behaviour, too," she said.
The two girls defended their actions and denied they were ever in danger.
"I wouldn't have come out if I didn't think I felt safe," the 17-year-old said.
Her friend added: "I wouldn't come out if it was dangerous. It's just awesome. The atmosphere is so good. Everyone is partying hard."
This year's festival is fast earning a reputation as the wildest week on record, with police, paramedics and volunteers admitting they are stunned by the behaviour of schoolies and the excessive drinking.
In the past week 319 people were arrested, 82 of them schoolies.
Most were for drunkenness and public nuisance offences. There have also been reports of sexual attacks.
Ambulance officers estimate 60 per cent of the drunks they treated were young women who were "trying to keep up with the boys".
"They are having four or five shots of liqueur and then half a bottle of vodka and becoming very drunk," Queensland Ambulance Service Schoolies co-ordinator Allan Windsor said.
Another volunteer said authorities were at a loss to prevent binge drinking.
"They go hard and come out on the street. They end up spewing their guts out," he said.
"I don't know what the answer is."
Drugs have also been a problem, with some school-leavers claiming young female drug pushers were working the Esplanade and beach offering ecstasy for $35 a tablet.
A Gold Coast Hospital spokeswoman confirmed drug-affected schoolies had been treated but could not say how many.
Schoolies stoush
The Advertiser - 27nov05
"TOOLIES" who prey on students have marred schoolies festivities at Victor Harbor, gatecrashing the final hurrah after a stressful final year of study.
Eleven adults – dubbed "toolies" – were arrested for behavioural offences on Friday night as a crowd of 6000 flocked to the Fleurieu Penninsula party.
Two large brawls were among the only significant schoolies incidents – one of which involved up to 20 youths.
It spilled from the footpath on to Victoria St about 1.45am yesterday morning, but no one was arrested during the fracas.
And in what is believed to be a schoolies prank, a security guard's vehicle was overturned causing $3000 damage, and a 10m length of a brick wall was smashed in at the local lawn bowls club.
Superintendent Michael Cornish, of South Coast police, said it was disappointing adults had hijacked the event, souring what was generally good behaviour by the school leavers.
"Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of students involved. Most were responsible and well-behaved," Supt Cornish said.
"Obviously we had other people in the area not directly linked to (schoolies) activities and there was offending.
"We are not happy about that and we will continue to police the area and surrounding areas."
Supt Cornish said there had been no reports of sexual assaults or drink spiking from yesterday or Friday night.
Mounted police, police on bicycles and foot patrols monitored the event searching cars and cautioning and issuing $170 expiation notices to youngsters drinking alcohol in the dry zone.
Police also visited the township's two caravan parks, the most popular haunts for schoolies.
While excessive drinking was favoured, schoolies also spoke of other vices, including drugs, but they were less prevalent.
"My car was searched by police, but they found nothing," one male teenager cheekily told the Sunday Mail.
"Yeah, the pills (ecstasy) were in my purse," his girlfriend laughed. "They didn't look there."
Despite the cool weather and gusty winds, the main street became a sea of scantily clad females, decked in mini skirts, bikini tops and rubber thongs.
Others donned skimpy school uniforms for the last time.
The message was clear from high school graduate Jordan.
"No more school, no more school," he yelled, his voice hoarse, his body swaying to the effects of his self-confessed vodka splurge.
Seaford youths Tom "T-Bone" Robertson, 18, and mate Mickey Brown, 16, said there were ways of getting around the dry zone. "We're just chillin'," Mickey said. "We had to drink in the car before we came down."
As the night wore on some rolled out swags, others camped in cars, while many walked the 2km pilgrimage to the caravan parks.
SA Ambulance South Coast area manager Paul Weise said paramedics transported two people to hospital for excessive alcohol consumption, but there were were few other issues.
"It was the quietest Friday night at schoolies in two years." he said.
"TOOLIES" who prey on students have marred schoolies festivities at Victor Harbor, gatecrashing the final hurrah after a stressful final year of study.
Eleven adults – dubbed "toolies" – were arrested for behavioural offences on Friday night as a crowd of 6000 flocked to the Fleurieu Penninsula party.
Two large brawls were among the only significant schoolies incidents – one of which involved up to 20 youths.
It spilled from the footpath on to Victoria St about 1.45am yesterday morning, but no one was arrested during the fracas.
And in what is believed to be a schoolies prank, a security guard's vehicle was overturned causing $3000 damage, and a 10m length of a brick wall was smashed in at the local lawn bowls club.
Superintendent Michael Cornish, of South Coast police, said it was disappointing adults had hijacked the event, souring what was generally good behaviour by the school leavers.
"Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of students involved. Most were responsible and well-behaved," Supt Cornish said.
"Obviously we had other people in the area not directly linked to (schoolies) activities and there was offending.
"We are not happy about that and we will continue to police the area and surrounding areas."
Supt Cornish said there had been no reports of sexual assaults or drink spiking from yesterday or Friday night.
Mounted police, police on bicycles and foot patrols monitored the event searching cars and cautioning and issuing $170 expiation notices to youngsters drinking alcohol in the dry zone.
Police also visited the township's two caravan parks, the most popular haunts for schoolies.
While excessive drinking was favoured, schoolies also spoke of other vices, including drugs, but they were less prevalent.
"My car was searched by police, but they found nothing," one male teenager cheekily told the Sunday Mail.
"Yeah, the pills (ecstasy) were in my purse," his girlfriend laughed. "They didn't look there."
Despite the cool weather and gusty winds, the main street became a sea of scantily clad females, decked in mini skirts, bikini tops and rubber thongs.
Others donned skimpy school uniforms for the last time.
The message was clear from high school graduate Jordan.
"No more school, no more school," he yelled, his voice hoarse, his body swaying to the effects of his self-confessed vodka splurge.
Seaford youths Tom "T-Bone" Robertson, 18, and mate Mickey Brown, 16, said there were ways of getting around the dry zone. "We're just chillin'," Mickey said. "We had to drink in the car before we came down."
As the night wore on some rolled out swags, others camped in cars, while many walked the 2km pilgrimage to the caravan parks.
SA Ambulance South Coast area manager Paul Weise said paramedics transported two people to hospital for excessive alcohol consumption, but there were were few other issues.
"It was the quietest Friday night at schoolies in two years." he said.
Police prepare for more Schoolies arrests
ABC Online
Police on the Gold Coast are bracing themselves for more arrests tonight following the arrival of thousands of Victorian and New South Wales students at the annual Schoolies celebrations.
Schoolies week has wound up for Queensland students with police arresting 59 people overnight.
Seventeen of them were school leavers.
Police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey says Queensland Schoolies have generally been well behaved and police are hoping for a similar response from their southern counterparts.
"Over the same period last year there were 70 arrests, so I guess it's fair to say it was comparatively quiet," she said.
"But hopefully they can keep those numbers down tonight."
Police on the Gold Coast are bracing themselves for more arrests tonight following the arrival of thousands of Victorian and New South Wales students at the annual Schoolies celebrations.
Schoolies week has wound up for Queensland students with police arresting 59 people overnight.
Seventeen of them were school leavers.
Police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey says Queensland Schoolies have generally been well behaved and police are hoping for a similar response from their southern counterparts.
"Over the same period last year there were 70 arrests, so I guess it's fair to say it was comparatively quiet," she said.
"But hopefully they can keep those numbers down tonight."
59 arrested at Schoolies
aap - 26nov05
SCHOOLIES Week has wound up for Queensland students with police arresting 59 revellers on the Gold Coast overnight.
Although today marks the end of Queensland's Schoolies 2005, thousands of NSW and Victorian school leavers have already begun moving in for their high-charged week in the sun.
Most of arrested on what is traditionally the biggest night of the festival, face charges related to public nuisance and disorderly behaviour.
No major incidents were reported, but Gold Coast district Superintendent Brett Pointing said police were bracing themselves for more arrests tonight.
"We are appealing to everyone, schoolies and non-schoolies alike to be on their best behaviour," Superintendent Pointing said.
During the past week 319 people were arrested, 82 of them schoolies.
Last year 315 people were arrested during the festival's first week, 103 of tem schoolies.
A Gold Coast police spokeswoman said schoolies overall had been better behaved than non-school leavers this year.
SCHOOLIES Week has wound up for Queensland students with police arresting 59 revellers on the Gold Coast overnight.
Although today marks the end of Queensland's Schoolies 2005, thousands of NSW and Victorian school leavers have already begun moving in for their high-charged week in the sun.
Most of arrested on what is traditionally the biggest night of the festival, face charges related to public nuisance and disorderly behaviour.
No major incidents were reported, but Gold Coast district Superintendent Brett Pointing said police were bracing themselves for more arrests tonight.
"We are appealing to everyone, schoolies and non-schoolies alike to be on their best behaviour," Superintendent Pointing said.
During the past week 319 people were arrested, 82 of them schoolies.
Last year 315 people were arrested during the festival's first week, 103 of tem schoolies.
A Gold Coast police spokeswoman said schoolies overall had been better behaved than non-school leavers this year.
Police praise SA schoolies' behaviour
ABC Online
Police say they are happy with the behaviour of thousands of people at "schoolies" celebrations at Victor Harbor in South Australia overnight.
South Coast police arrested 11 people, but all were adults - otherwise known as "toolies" - who were not directly involved in the schoolies events .
Police are also investigating an apparent prank in which an unoccupied security car was overturned, causing about $3,000 damage.
They are also looking into damage at the local bowls club, where about 10 metres of fencing was knocked over.
Police say despite the property damage, the vast majority of schoolies were well-behaved.
Police say they are happy with the behaviour of thousands of people at "schoolies" celebrations at Victor Harbor in South Australia overnight.
South Coast police arrested 11 people, but all were adults - otherwise known as "toolies" - who were not directly involved in the schoolies events .
Police are also investigating an apparent prank in which an unoccupied security car was overturned, causing about $3,000 damage.
They are also looking into damage at the local bowls club, where about 10 metres of fencing was knocked over.
Police say despite the property damage, the vast majority of schoolies were well-behaved.
Police praise for schoolies
Geelong Info
AN 18 year old male schoolie has been assaulted and robbed after befriending two other males at Lorne.
Police said the assault occurred about 1am yesterday as the victim was accompanying the pair back to a caravan park to meet some girls.
The incident was one of only a handful in a week when thousands of young people have descended on coastal resorts.
Surf Coast Inspector Brian Fox, said coastal areas had been busier than normal, with Lorne carrying the bulk of young visitors.
He said extra police had been brought in and were maintaining a strong presence in the town.
Police have so far praised the responsible behaviour of young people, saying most incidents have been caused by older `toolies' gatecrashing celebrations.
Detective Senior Constable Michael Baker said in the latest incident one of the males asked to borrow the victim's mobile phone so he could make a call.
``The victim handed over his phone and the two males walked ahead,'' Sen-constable Baker said.
``After going a short distance the second male turned round, produced the lower half of a hockey stick and demanded money from the victim.
``He then struck the victim on the arm with the stick.''
Sen-constable Baker said the victim handed over a small amount of cash and the pair fled back towards the foreshore.
The victim suffered minor bruising to his arm in the attack.
The offenders are described as being Australian, aged 18-22 years. Both had short dark hair and were about 1.8 metres tall. One of the offenders was of slim build while the other was slightly more bulky.
It is the third assault on a schoolie at Lorne in less than a week.
In previous incidents a youth suffered a king-hit outside a Lorne Hotel on Saturday night, while a second youth received a broken jaw in an incident on the foreshore on Tuesday.
Both of those assaults are believed to have been instigated by older males.
Sen-detective Baker said in an unrelated assault, a 21 year old Airey's Inlet man was assaulted on the Lorne foreshore at about 2.30am yesterday. He sustained moderate facial injuries including a black eye.
Sen-constable Baker said the main offender was described as male, over 1.8 metres tall, of medium build with a shaved head.
Anyone with any information on either assault is asked to contact Sen-constable Baker at Torquay CIU on 5261 4514.
AN 18 year old male schoolie has been assaulted and robbed after befriending two other males at Lorne.
Police said the assault occurred about 1am yesterday as the victim was accompanying the pair back to a caravan park to meet some girls.
The incident was one of only a handful in a week when thousands of young people have descended on coastal resorts.
Surf Coast Inspector Brian Fox, said coastal areas had been busier than normal, with Lorne carrying the bulk of young visitors.
He said extra police had been brought in and were maintaining a strong presence in the town.
Police have so far praised the responsible behaviour of young people, saying most incidents have been caused by older `toolies' gatecrashing celebrations.
Detective Senior Constable Michael Baker said in the latest incident one of the males asked to borrow the victim's mobile phone so he could make a call.
``The victim handed over his phone and the two males walked ahead,'' Sen-constable Baker said.
``After going a short distance the second male turned round, produced the lower half of a hockey stick and demanded money from the victim.
``He then struck the victim on the arm with the stick.''
Sen-constable Baker said the victim handed over a small amount of cash and the pair fled back towards the foreshore.
The victim suffered minor bruising to his arm in the attack.
The offenders are described as being Australian, aged 18-22 years. Both had short dark hair and were about 1.8 metres tall. One of the offenders was of slim build while the other was slightly more bulky.
It is the third assault on a schoolie at Lorne in less than a week.
In previous incidents a youth suffered a king-hit outside a Lorne Hotel on Saturday night, while a second youth received a broken jaw in an incident on the foreshore on Tuesday.
Both of those assaults are believed to have been instigated by older males.
Sen-detective Baker said in an unrelated assault, a 21 year old Airey's Inlet man was assaulted on the Lorne foreshore at about 2.30am yesterday. He sustained moderate facial injuries including a black eye.
Sen-constable Baker said the main offender was described as male, over 1.8 metres tall, of medium build with a shaved head.
Anyone with any information on either assault is asked to contact Sen-constable Baker at Torquay CIU on 5261 4514.
