Showing schoolies they have choices

Helping teens learn an important life lesson

CQCM students Sophie Burton-Clark, Connor Scoble, Sophie Power, Brooke Conklin, Sarah Dunn, Stephanie Arezzi and Tim Holstein took to the stage of high schools around the region to present Choices 2016 a production about safe driving. The team is pictured presenting at Middlemount. Picture: contributed

MORE than 50 young drivers or riders (aged 16-24) lost their lives on Queensland roads last year.

Educating our region's youth about driver safety is essential to reducing this alarming statistic, District Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sergeant Nigel Dalton said. "That's why this year, Queensland Police has once again partnered with CQUniversity to deliver Choices - a production that uses music and drama in an energetic and humorous way to encourage young people to make safer choices on the road.

"It's so important - especially at this time of year with end-of-year celebrations (schoolies) on the horizon - that young people receive a road-safety refresher.”

Now in its 17th year, Choices is rolled out regionally in schools prior to schoolies.

This year, more than 3000 Year 12 students across 28 schools in Mackay and surrounding areas - north to the Tablelands, south to Sarina and west to Moranbah - were treated to the 45-minute show.

"Don't drive tired” is one of 30-plus key message in Choices 2016, which has been written, directed, choreographed and performed entirely by the university's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music students.

"The production reinforces the drug and alcohol education students have already received during their school years, including basic first-aid information and strategies to maintain personal safety and key driving messages,” Sergeant Dalton said.

"The production reminds students of the effects of alcohol and how to drink responsibly and drive safely.”

CQCM director Judith Brown said the university was proud to be part of this powerful, socially responsible, creative and innovative production.

"Twenty of our theatre students have devoted their time voluntarily to the cause this year,” she said.

"Scripting is carefully constructed around more than 30 key health, safety and legal messages which are updated annually in line with current government campaigns.”

CQCM student and production director Tim Holstein has been involved with Choices for three years.

"Aside from being an excellent acting experience that prepares us for touring, it's great to be involved in a meaningful, educational production,” Tim said.

"In my first year I was an assistant to the director, a co-director in my second, and this year I was excited to take on the leadership role of one of only two directors (the other being CQCM's Bruno Scarpelli).

"We've had a lot of fun with our song and dance numbers - adapting the song 'Cheerleader' to 'More Vodka' for one - but underneath it all we like to believe we're making a difference and contributing to behaviour change and road-safety awareness.”

Choices 2016 is also supported by the Queensland Sexual Health Unit, Red Frogs, Schoolies Advisory Committee of the Whitsunday Regional Council and headspace.

Originally published as Showing schoolies they have choices