Gold Coast Flashback: How Schoolies let their hair down back in 2003

It was a rowdy start to schoolies for this class, with a TV hurling out the window of a high-rise and grubs using their camera phones to take photos of girls.

FOR the class of 2018, today is the beginning of the rest of their lives.

With 12 years of schooling behind them, it’s time for the kids to let their hair down and celebrate at the annual Schoolies festival.

The right-of-passage event kicked off this weekend, with tens of thousands of 17 and 18-year-olds flooding the city to party.

The class of 2003 really let their hair down.

But how did the Schoolies of 15 years ago party?

The class of 2003 let their hair down amid a backdrop of momentous events – Australia’s heartbreaking loss to England in the Rugby World Cup, Mark Latham’s election as Labor leader and Ron Clarke running for Gold Coast mayor.

The party was just getting started on the first night of Schoolies.

Police were not taking any chances after 2002 celebrations were marred by stabbings, enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to public drinking, checking bags and bottles as Schoolies entered the precinct.

Some school-leavers were not entirely happy with the heavily controlled environment claiming there were too many rules and regulations.

“They have been cracking down on alcohol big time,” said Daniel Wells, 17.

“More police is good because it is safer but they tend to hassle you a lot more.”

NOVEMBER 23, 2003 : A teenage couple kissing on the beach at Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week

Police Inspector Jim Keogh hit back, saying the teenagers were given ‘a fair degree of latitude’.

There were claims that Schoolies celebrations got out of control on the first night, with a television allegedly thrown out the widow of a high rise following the World Cup loss.

The teen-friendly celebrations got one welcome adult visitor – Premier Peter Beattie.

The self-confessed media tart lapped up the attention as thousands of revellers greeted him with a pop star-style welcome.

Cavill Mall was packed every night of Schoolies.

The Premier and Police Minister Tony McGrady toured the beach, received backslapping greetings in the mosh pit and carried in through to the Paradise Centre as enthusiast teenagers offering good-natured comments and posing for pictures.

“I was overwhelmed by all the attention,” Mr Beattie said.

And the voters of tomorrow were happy to see him.

A Schoolies foam party

“He’s a legend, I love him, he’s a good bloke,” said Nambour’s Raymond Bon.

“I like his way of thinking and it’s great to see him supporting Schoolies.

Mr Beattie was also at Schoolies to check in on his twin sons Denis and Matthew who were partying.

But 2003’s Schoolies also proved to be a sign of things to come as teenagers had access to mobile phones with cameras.

A packed balcony celebrating in November 2003.

Several incidents were reported including groups of men attempting to take inappropriate photos of women with their phones.

Griffith University lecturer Hennessey Hayes said the rapid advancement of digital technology would make it harder for police to monitor random acts.

“The amount of technology available to this type of offender along with the burgeoning internet market for pictures are two possible motivators,” he said.