Authorities impressed with tame start to Gold Coast Schoolies

Authorities have revealed the number of Schoolies arrested and admitted to hospital during the event’s kick-off weekend in a shocking departure from its trouble-plagued past. Find out what they said

The Schoolies revolution continues to impress authorities with a departure from the trouble-plagued festivals of years gone by.

Up to 20,000 high school leavers from across the state have converged on the Gold Coast for what they say is a celebration of “mateship”.

And Queensland Police have praised revellers’ behaviour after only two Schoolies attendees and seven non-Schoolies were arrested on Saturday night for drugs and other street offences.

It was a far cry from the bad days of the early 90s, including 1994 when police made more than 150 arrests and 67 minors were charged with drinking offences.

Police officers watch over the Schoolies week celebrations in Surfers Paradise on November 23, 2008 on the Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images

However organisations like Red Frog and DrinkWise said there has been a dramatic decline in drinking at Schoolies.

Queensland Ambulance Service Gold Coast supervisor Justin Payne previously said there was a significant reduction in intoxication and emergency treatment centre admissions at Schoolies.

A QPS spokesman said: “QPS is very happy with how school leavers have been behaving so far. It looks like they’ve had a very low key night.”

More than 100 police have been rostered on to patrol the Schoolies hub for the week, while paramedics and other emergency services crews have also created mobile command centres for the duration of the event.

Broadbeach Police Senior Sergeant Bruce Stacey said this year’s Schoolies had kicked off seamlessly.

“There was a streamlined process in place which made it a lot easier for school leavers to get their ID and find their accommodation,” he said.

School leavers celebrate during Australian 'schoolies' celebrations following the end of the year 12 exams. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“So from a policing perspective it was very helpful. Most young people we’ve spoke to have said Schoolies has been good so far.”

Queensland Ambulance Service recorded 41 patients presenting to the Schoolies emergency treatment centre on Saturday night with four patients transported to Gold Coast University Hospital.

On Sunday, the streets of Surfers Paradise were crawling with school leavers dressed in neon-orange Schoolies bucket hats and bright pink lanyards.

Pittswoth State Hight School graduate Ethan Daniel Brose said he was driving around the Gold Coast for schoolies with his friend Ethan Luke Facer when their car broke down.

Mr Brose said they were about to call for help when another group of school leavers spotted them

“This legend here saw us – he’s a mechanic – and they stopped on the side of the road to help us fix our car and now we’ve spent the whole night together,” Mr Brose said.

Mr Facer added: “We’re lifelong mates now. That’s what Schoolies is all about.”

Loreto College graduate Noelle Wright said the highlight of Schoolies so far had been spending time with friends.

“We’re also looking forward to going out a bit and meeting new people,” she said.

Ethan Luke Facer, 17, Charlie Jackson Brown, 18, Lachlan Christopher Thompson, 17, Joel William Markey, 18, and Ethan Daniel Brose, 17, say they’ll be life-long mates after meeting at Schoolies. Photo: Regi Varghese

This year, Gold Coast Schoolies promises the biggest “top tier” entertainment line-up in its history, and more venues to party it up including a first-time partnership with hotspot Cali Beach Club.

According to the Schoolies website, teens have also shunned traditional cheap-and-cheerful accommodation for 5-star hotels.

School leavers said they were also looking forward to the iconic pool party events at The Hitlon Hotel set to feature poolside DJs and giveaways.

Surfers Paradise Beach will also be fenced off nightly for the duration of Schoolies with exclusive access to Schoolies members only.

Queensland’s Schoolies festival runs until Friday night before an estimated 12,000 kids from interstate arrive next weekend.