Families of poisoned Melbourne teens issue powerful warning ahead of Schoolies

Two Melbourne best friends died from tainted drinks at a Laos hostel last year — now their mothers are turning unimaginable tragedy into a mission to save young lives.

Almost a year after losing their daughters to methanol poisoning overseas, the families of best friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles are channelling their grief into action, hoping their story will save lives as Schoolies celebrations begin.

The Melbourne teenagers’ parents have partnered with DrinkWise and Smartraveller to launch a national campaign encouraging school-leavers to think twice before accepting drinks and to look out for one another during end-of-school trips.

In November last year, Bianca and Holly were among six people who died after consuming a suspected bad batch of local alcohol containing high levels of methanol during “happy hour” at a Laos hostel.

The colourless, odourless poison can be fatal if as little as 25ml — or a standard shot glass — is consumed.

Bianca and Holly were among six people who died after consuming a suspected bad batch of local alcohol containing high levels of methanol at a Laos hostel. Picture: Supplied

While the Melbourne teenagers couldn’t be saved, their mums, Michelle Jones and Samatha Morton, are using their daughters’ deaths as a catalyst for change.

The pair have lent their voices to a new national campaign and will appear in videos alongside their daughters’ friends to encourage school-leavers to stay alert, make safe choices and look out for one another.

Speaking from the international departure lounge at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday, the mums said it was “very raw” to be in the place where they said goodbye to their girls 12 months ago.

“Nothing will ever bring back Bianca and Holly but if knowing what happened to them can help other kids make safe choices then something can come from our loss,” Ms Jones said.

“I think all this extra information is really amazing, our girls didn’t have it and we didn’t know anything about methanol so to have this go out to schools before (students) leave, they can come home safely and make safer choices.”

The families will go away together to mark the anniversary of their daughters’ loss.

Michelle Jones and Samantha Morton with Education Minister Jason Clare and Foreign Minister Penny Wong as well as their husbands. Picture: Rebecca Borg

Foreign Minister Penny Wong provided an update on the girls’ cases after speaking with the Laos ambassador on Monday.

“I understand the local prosecutors of this case are considering the report of police investigations,” she said.

“I expressed the view that progress so far has not been good enough. I expressed that all Australians want full accountability. That was the message I delivered again to Laos yesterday.

“We will continue to do everything we can to press the progress in these cases and we will also continue to raise awareness among young Australians about methanol poisoning and other alcohol-related (risks).”

Despite school-leavers choosing to drink less alcohol during Schoolies, new DrinkWise research found only 18 per cent of those travelling overseas said they were concerned about methanol poisoning, despite it being a very real and dangerous risk.

The Melbourne teenagers’ parents have partnered with DrinkWise and Smartraveller to launch a campaign encouraging school-leavers to think twice before accepting drinks. Picture: Supplied

It’s hoped the videos will encourage parents to talk with their teenagers before they depart and prompt school-leavers to stay alert, make safe choices and look out for one another.

Medical executive and media personality Dr Andrew Rochford will also feature in the clips, which will be rolled out in schools and available online.

The campaign will also see the videos on Jetstar international flights in December.

DrinkWise chief executive Simon Strahan said timely reminders were critical to saving lives.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Jones and Bowles families for bravely sharing their story,” he said.

“Their courage continues to help raise awareness of the very real risks young Australians can face overseas and their voice makes this campaign very real for all Australian parents.”

A second campaign will be rolled out across social media from Tuesday, reminding school-leavers to make smart choices when drinking. Picture: DrinkWise

A second campaign titled “Drinking? Drink mindfully”, will also be rolled out across social media and international airport terminals in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from Tuesday, reminding school-leavers to make smart choices so everyone can return home safely.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare urged all students to look out for themselves and their mates ahead of end-of-school celebrations.

“We know the sense of freedom at the end of school can sometimes lead to risky choices, especially when alcohol is involved,” he said.

“We want the end of school to be remembered for the right reasons.”

Mr Clare said the Department of Education has shared the DrinkWise resources with all state and territory counterparts, and encouraged schools, students and parents to review them.

Originally published as Families of poisoned Melbourne teens issue powerful warning ahead of Schoolies