Schoolies tradition is cultural reality
Thu 05 November 2009
Amber Vucko, Bach Journalism
Despite diminished funds and local animosity school leavers’ still journey to the Sunshine Coast as an alternative to the traditional Australian Schoolies experience.
Social worker Dominic Mapstone explained that Schoolies Week on the Sunshine Coast has been seen as a “much more relaxed and enjoyable Schoolies destination compared to the Gold Coast”. He created the National Schoolies Website, a peer education program designed to prepare school leavers for their week of celebration.
Mr Mapstone is also the director of non-profit organisation Rebecca’s Community, founded to support homeless and troubled youths. As a youth worker he has been involved with Schoolies Week support since 1994 and explained that the celebrations are an Australian cultural reality.
“What people don’t understand about Schoolies is that it’s not like going to a concert,’ Mr Mapstone said. “You don’t buy a ticket to go to it. It’s a cultural reality...an Australian tradition that has sprung up in response to a reality that will always be there.”
In 2007 the former Maroochydore Shire Council withdrew funding for Sunshine Coast Schoolies Week activities in response to rising event costs, increased public liability and disruptive behaviour of school leavers.
At the time local hotel and resort owners told the Sunshine Coast Daily they agreed with council’s decision to cancel schoolies celebrations and in turn privately limited and excluded schoolies bookings.
Although several proprietors excluded schoolies from hotel establishments they questioned the wisdom of ceasing all organised events on the coast.
Mr Mapstone was adamant that ”regardless of entertainment or not, the number of schoolies will remain the same.”
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Mayor Bob Abbot said in 2008 that the council would not withdraw its complete support, but that it would provide minimal funding for security measures.
Mr Mapstone argued that on the Gold Coast entertainment brings routine and order to the mayhem of Schoolies Week. 
“Events end and give a reason for the night to finish up and for schoolies to head back to their hotels. Without this there is nothing to encourage a routine and schedule for schoolies,” He maintained.
Despite lack of funding 2008 Sunshine Coast Schoolies Week survived due to the yearly arrival of school leavers and Red Frogs Crew involvement in organisation and advertisement of local Schoolies events.
Red Frogs is a chaplaincy support network for young adults at Schoolies Week and university campuses, and has operated since 1997 when volunteers first gave out Allen’s Red Frogs in an effort to break the ice with schoolies.
Sunshine Coast Red Frogs Crew member Damien Murphy explained that Red Frogs offer a necessary service for schoolies.
“Red Frogs provide support for any of the school leavers in need, whether that means helping them find their friends, making sure they get home safely or even helping them out with food,” he said.
The Red Frogs website identified the Sunshine Coast as the second largest Schoolies venue in Queensland, with accommodation from Caloundra to Noosa for up to 3000 youths.
Lack of sufficient funding limits local Red Frogs Crew interaction with schoolies to hotel visits, street teams, and free nightly barbeques organised to feed hundreds of visiting school leavers.
“Red Frogs doesn’t have the funds to supplement the government funding so Red Frog Schoolies activities are pretty limited…Red Frogs do help to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for the school leavers but we also act as tourist guides to try and give them something to do,” Mr Murphy said.
Similarly the Byron Shire News reported recent decisions made by local Byron Bay (NSW) community organisations highlighted issues alternative schoolies destinations have with the yearly influx of school leavers.
Although the council did not convey support for Schoolies Week activities in Byron Bay, community groups were quick to ensure the safety of schoolies and an acknowledgment of Schoolies as a local event.
Mr Mapstone described the three key elements that go into a successful Schoolies Week, as adequate policing, adequate community and volunteer support and adequate entertainment.
He insisted that local government and communities should be there to support what it always going to be a right of passage. He argued that hotels and local businesses are not prepared for the problems they are faced with during Schoolies Week.
“These are problems that occurred say a decade ago on the Gold Coast that have been dealt with,” Mr Mapstone said.
He asserted, “There is nothing to engage them. DJ’s and bands have come to me wanting to get involved on the coast, but there is nothing for them to perform at.”
Mr Murphy added support, saying, “It is one week out of each year where residents may have to endure a little louder type of tourist. I would celebrate if I made it through ten years at a job, let alone 12.”
Mr Mapstone reasoned that the only way council would learn would be the hard way.
“There’s going to have to be problems that arise…before they see the need to respond to the reality of schoolies,” he said.
Image(s) designed by Amber Vucko