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Schoolies On Their Way

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The annual ‘Schoolies Week’ for school leavers officially begins on 26 November, but students who finish exams early can be expected in the coming week.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 24th November 2009 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Events Coordinator, Frank Angarane, said that while Schoolies Week was not actively encouraged, Council’s approach is to minimise risks and maximise safety for all residents and visitors.

"We recognise they are coming and that it is our responsibility to make sure it’s safe and to minimise impacts on the community," said Mr Angarane.

"We have developed a program that is funded through the State Government’s Office of Youth and includes a significant volunteer component."

From 26 November to 6 December the Community Safety Caravan will be at the Cowes foreshore. Youth workers and drug and alcohol counsellors staff the caravan. At different times, there will also be Police, Community Safety Rangers and private security in attendance.

"The caravan will operate through the period, with a focus on night time," said Mr Angarane.

"There will be information available about local services as well as Party Safe messages.

"A night time bus service operated by youth workers and volunteers will be available to help keep the school leavers safe, but also to minimise disturbance to residents."

As part of the program, Council is registering the schoolies visiting Bass Coast.

"This helps us establish who the genuine schoolies are, we have contact details for their families and we know where they are staying locally.

"When they register we let them know that we expect them to respect the community they are visiting and to ‘Enjoy it, don’t spoil it’," said Mr Angarane.

Council, local Police, the YMCA and volunteers are also taking steps to minimise the impact of schoolies week on the community.

"Part of this involves keeping the kids occupied. We have found that when they have something to do, they are less likely to cause a disturbance.

"Local Police will respond to noise disturbances and where possible will also contact owners of the properties involved to make them aware of what is happening there.

"We encourage residents to ring 000 to report noise disturbance and any other issues, not only during this period, but all year round.

"Red Frog volunteers will also be visiting private parties to help keep behaviour in check," said Mr Angarane.

Council, Police and services groups will be keeping statistics throughout the period on when schoolies are involved in incidences. Research in other areas has shown that a significant number of incidences during this period do not involve school leavers.

"We encourage the community to call the Hoon Hotline on 1800 333 000 to report any incidences of hoon behaviour," said Mr Angarane. "Remember in an emergency to call 000."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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