Schoolies 2023 at Victor Harbor finishes early as partygoers mourn Charlie Stevens

A sombre mood has descended on Schoolies Festival after the devastating death of Charlie Stevens, the son of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

The empty space at the Schoolies 2023 festival on Saturday night. Picture: Ben Clark

The passing of Charlie Stevens changed the atmosphere at Saturday night’s Schoolies Festival after many partying graduates opted to go home early.

Saturday night’s festival will be remembered as the worst party in its 25 year history after the first recorded fatality.

Charlie, 18, was struck by a car at Goolwa Beach about 9pm on Friday night.

He was flown to Flinders Medical Centre where he was placed on life support with an irreversible brain injury, as family raced from interstate to be at his bedside.

Tragically, SA Police later said Charlie died in hospital at 7.01pm on Saturday, surrounded by family and friends.

The impact was visible at the festival, with the enclosed partying space filled at less than half of its capacity.

Ian Lee, 18, graduated from Mercedes College in the same year level as Charlie Stevens.

He described the cohort as “one big family,” and the news of Charlie’s death had sent a ripple through their tight knit community.

“Charlie was full of life, he was very lovely. He was energetic and it’s going to be difficult for everyone.”

Ian said Mercedes College had sent out a letter to the school community that addressed Charlie’s death and offered emotional support to those affected.

Ian also believed Charlie’s friends would plan something to honour his life.

Flowers at the crash scene in Goolwa. Picture: Ben Clark

Eric Qin, 17, from Cabra College said the news of Charlie’s death spread quickly among the graduates.

“Everyone knew what happened very quickly,” he said.

“Everyone from Charlie’s school, Mercedes College, seems to be leaving early and also other people from city schools seem to be leaving caravan parks.”

Eric went on to say it felt weird that the Schoolies Festival was still running – because although the event wasn’t “directly related” to the incident, it did happen in the surrounding area.

This sentiment was further backed up by another high school leaver, Eric O’Dea, 18, who reported a massive tone shift at the caravan parks where most students were staying.

“After the death, the campsite are shook up and are definitely less lively,” he said.

“I didn’t know Charlie, but I have mates who were connected to him through footy and stuff and we’re feeling the impact.”

Ticket sale numbers sat lower the opening event, according to the organisers.

Encounter Youth CEO Nigel Knowles said the ticket numbers and the caravan stayers reflected the sombre mood.

“Last night was a slightly lower number than Friday night in attendance and ticket sales are indicating that,” he said.

“We had reports of approximately 30 young people were getting home from one of the major caravan parks.”

“This has been the first fatality that has occurred during a school’s weekends here.”

“It is it is a nervous time for parents … but being a parent is always a nervous time. You always want the best for them. You always want them to remain safe, but they have to live their life and you want to support them to make the best choices.”