Sunshine Coast prepares for schoolies
Tue 18 November 2008
Thomas Threadingham, Bachelor of Journalism
Students will soon journey to the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the end of 12 years of schooling, despite the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s withdrawal of organised activities funding.
The Sunshine Coast, from Caloundra to Noosa, has long been an alternative option for students who wish to avoid the wild parties and crowds of the famous Gold Coast “schoolies” to celebrate, offering a more relaxed experience.
Red Frogs organisation, formed in 1997, has played a major role in the Sunshine Coast schoolies event since it began in 2000, providing support for the celebrating youth.
Sunshine Coast Red Frogs program coordinator Lisa Woods said the council’s decision to withdraw from the event was a loss financially, and that no entertainment would be organised this year.
“The decision was made in the Sunshine Coast Schoolies stakeholder’s meeting that no entertainment or events will be organised this year due to the late start in planning,” Ms Woods said.
However, Ms Woods noted that Sunshine Coast schoolies was an important event for youth, and that it should continue in the future.
“[It's a] rite of passage for young people which they deserve after 12 years study, providing council, government and community groups work together to have a structure in place for the week of celebrations,” Ms Woods said.
Life Point Christian Outreach Centre in Mooloolaba pastor and previous Red Frogs program coordinator Deearn Cherry, who has been involved with Red Frogs and Sunshine Coast schoolies for the past eight years, said the Red Frog involvement in the week long celebrations was vital to ensure a safe and happy experience for students.
Ms Cherry also said that there were two levels of involvement from Red Frog volunteers.
On the first level there were the street chaplains who patrol the streets, offering support and care for students, and coordinating with the local groups and authorities to ensure the safety of students.
"They basically help in diffusing groups, so when kids get in big groups they socialise with them,” Ms Cherry said.
“[They] see any hotspots that could cause problems, while working together with the SES, police and any of the other non-profit organisations on the Sunshine Coast who are helping in the area.”
Ms Cherry said hotel chaplains also work with accommodation providers to ensure students are happy and rooms are satisfactory.
“Their role is to liaise between the kids who are on schoolies and the hotel managers,” Ms Cherry said.
Sunshine Coast schoolies is also a great opportunity for the Coast’s tourism industry and many local businesses.
University of the Sunshine Coast regional engagement coordinator and lecturer in tourism and marketing Gayle Mayes said Sunshine Coast schoolies was fantastic for the tourism industry, both in the short and long-term.
Ms Mayes said the experience and time spent on the Coast by visiting students could result in many of them returning with friends or family in the future, benefiting the tourism industry in the long-term.
Ms Mayes also said schoolies week results in greatly increased visitation numbers to the Coast, providing local businesses with the opportunity to increase trade, as well as being a great opportunity to demonstrate what the Coast has to offer.
“The students spend money on entertainment, recreation, leisure, they go to the pictures, eat food and obviously they are partying, going out and having a really good time, so it’s a great opportunity for us to show off the coast,” Ms Mayes said.
Ms Mayes noted students chose the Sunshine Coast as a destination over the famous Gold Coast event so that they could celebrate in a more relaxed environment.
“What the Sunshine Coast offers is a more laid back atmosphere and it’s a place where they can go to the beach…and enjoy the environment, whereas the Gold Coast tends to be much more in party mode,” Ms Mayes said.
Ms Mayes also said Red Frogs is a valuable organisation who are in need of volunteers to ensure happy and safe celebrations for students.
“If people can come on board and realise that it’s an opportunity to support…assist and be there for these kids then that’s great,” Ms Mayes said.
“It just shows a caring and responsible environment for these people.”
Image(s) designed by Thomas Threadingham