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Flashback: 55 memories from Byron Bay Schoolies

School leavers have long flocked to Byron to celebrate, and although there have typically not been ticketed Schoolies events outside existing venues - like those that take place on the Gold Coast - it's a popular destination for graduates, whose activities are supported by valuable community-led safety initiatives.

Liana Boss
July 16, 2021 - 12:00AM
Byron Shire News
Schoolies in Byron Bay: Rachel Harris and Josephine Hansen.
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Schoolies in Byron Bay: Rachel Harris and Josephine Hansen.

Schoolies in Byron Bay: Sam Cai and Amelia Whiteman.
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Schoolies in Byron Bay: Sam Cai and Amelia Whiteman.

Meg Aitken from Camberwell is thrown into the air by Lewis Fotheringham from North Balwyn and Nick Pryor from Canterbury. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.
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Meg Aitken from Camberwell is thrown into the air by Lewis Fotheringham from North Balwyn and Nick Pryor from Canterbury. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.

Meryl Plaut (18) and David Schnabl (18) from Moriah College on the beach at Byron Bay, for Schoolies Week.
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Meryl Plaut (18) and David Schnabl (18) from Moriah College on the beach at Byron Bay, for Schoolies Week.

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay: Laura Mooney, Amelia Bleford
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay: Laura Mooney, Amelia Bleford

Madison Eagles, Clint Devereaux and Natasha Nicholas celebrate their Schoolies Week at Cheeky Monkey’s, Byron Bay.
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Madison Eagles, Clint Devereaux and Natasha Nicholas celebrate their Schoolies Week at Cheeky Monkey’s, Byron Bay.

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Kelsey Mannis, Geneva Caldwell, Genevieve Liston, Kat Couttei, Genevieve Hyde of Sacre Couer College at The Beach Hotel
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Kelsey Mannis, Geneva Caldwell, Genevieve Liston, Kat Couttei, Genevieve Hyde of Sacre Couer College at The Beach Hotel

James Nunn and Will Rech enjoying the simple pleasures of a shopping trolley to celebrate their Schoolies Week at Byron Bay on the far north coast of NSW, with many schoolies now opting for quieter party atmosphere, as normal Gold Coast venue is marred by drunkeness and violence.
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James Nunn and Will Rech enjoying the simple pleasures of a shopping trolley to celebrate their Schoolies Week at Byron Bay on the far north coast of NSW, with many schoolies now opting for quieter party atmosphere, as normal Gold Coast venue is marred by drunkeness and violence.

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Micahel, Casabene, Tara Martino, Chris Hastings, Georgina Fitt, from Sienna College and Xavier College at The Beach Hotel
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Micahel, Casabene, Tara Martino, Chris Hastings, Georgina Fitt, from Sienna College and Xavier College at The Beach Hotel

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Natalie Vickers, Ashley Constance at The Beach Hotel
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Natalie Vickers, Ashley Constance at The Beach Hotel

Year 12 school leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start Schoolies Week at Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast, partying at Cheeky Monkeys nightclub.
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Year 12 school leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start Schoolies Week at Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast, partying at Cheeky Monkeys nightclub.

At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit and Jonathan Seidler, Meryl Plaut and David Schnabl.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.
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At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit and Jonathan Seidler, Meryl Plaut and David Schnabl.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.

Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Jade Harland 18 and Parry Tragoustis 18.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Jade Harland 18 and Parry Tragoustis 18.

Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Katie McMahon, Danielle Bargh and Ashlea Collings.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Katie McMahon, Danielle Bargh and Ashlea Collings.

Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Jeska Judd 17, Gabby Brady 17 and Angie Oski 18.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay on friday night.L/R Jeska Judd 17, Gabby Brady 17 and Angie Oski 18.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration.. LtR Tom Williams, Neisha Cheney, Georgia Skade, Hayley Gollan and Shawn Featherston
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration.. LtR Tom Williams, Neisha Cheney, Georgia Skade, Hayley Gollan and Shawn Featherston

School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.
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School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Jack Fenech Francis Keely, Dave Anderson, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Jack Fenech Francis Keely, Dave Anderson, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne

Thomas Penberthy from Essendon takes a mark, Will Garirns from Parkville (grey shorts), Elliot Majid from Glen Iris (yellow top), and Callum McDonald from Northcote (red shorts). Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.
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Thomas Penberthy from Essendon takes a mark, Will Garirns from Parkville (grey shorts), Elliot Majid from Glen Iris (yellow top), and Callum McDonald from Northcote (red shorts). Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.

Meg Aitken from Camberwell is thrown into the air by Lewis Fotheringham from North Balwyn and Nick Pryor from Canterbury. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.
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Meg Aitken from Camberwell is thrown into the air by Lewis Fotheringham from North Balwyn and Nick Pryor from Canterbury. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.

Schoolies at Byron Bay let their hair down after finishing their year 12 exams. The boys from Xavier enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay let their hair down after finishing their year 12 exams. The boys from Xavier enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.

Schoolies Lizi Ross, Alex Sedger, Chantell Delaney, Catherine Ross, Anna Challis, Lucy Scriven, Anna Challis and Jaya Ferreira and Jacqui Cooper enjoy a drink at the Byron Bay Hotel. The girls, all friends, are wary of drink-spiking during Schoolies Week.
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Schoolies Lizi Ross, Alex Sedger, Chantell Delaney, Catherine Ross, Anna Challis, Lucy Scriven, Anna Challis and Jaya Ferreira and Jacqui Cooper enjoy a drink at the Byron Bay Hotel. The girls, all friends, are wary of drink-spiking during Schoolies Week.

At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Domino Pozniak, Meryl Plaut and Terri Wasserman.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.
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At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Domino Pozniak, Meryl Plaut and Terri Wasserman.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.

November 24, 2003: Girls from Melbourne at the all girls accomodation in Byron Bay. Schoolies at Byron Bay let their hair down after finishing their year 12 exams. Digital Image.
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November 24, 2003: Girls from Melbourne at the all girls accomodation in Byron Bay. Schoolies at Byron Bay let their hair down after finishing their year 12 exams. Digital Image.

At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Jonathan Seidler, Meryl Plaut and David Schnabl.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.
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At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Jonathan Seidler, Meryl Plaut and David Schnabl.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.

Schoolies at Byron Bay.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay.

Schoolies at Byron Bay: Jeska Judd 17, Gabby Brady 17 and Angie Oski 18.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay: Jeska Judd 17, Gabby Brady 17 and Angie Oski 18.

Schoolies at Byron Bay.
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Schoolies at Byron Bay.

Schoolies in Byron Bay: Meryl Plaut 18, Lloyd Boolkin 18, Domino Pozniak 18 and Danny Staub 18.All fom Moriah College.
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Schoolies in Byron Bay: Meryl Plaut 18, Lloyd Boolkin 18, Domino Pozniak 18 and Danny Staub 18.All fom Moriah College.

NOVEMBER 22, 2005: Melbourne schoolies enjoying time at Byron Bay instead of coming up to the Gold Coast. Loreto Mandeville Halls Girls Catholic school's Jenna Flack, Molly Gardner, Clare Undwin, Blake Tyrell (St Kevins College), Alex Smith and Brooke O'Connor chill out on the beach. Picture: David/Clark
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005: Melbourne schoolies enjoying time at Byron Bay instead of coming up to the Gold Coast. Loreto Mandeville Halls Girls Catholic school's Jenna Flack, Molly Gardner, Clare Undwin, Blake Tyrell (St Kevins College), Alex Smith and Brooke O'Connor chill out on the beach. Picture: David/Clark

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Sarah Tulloch, Jeni Bowtell, Kristina Palermo, Pip Inge on Main Beach
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Sarah Tulloch, Jeni Bowtell, Kristina Palermo, Pip Inge on Main Beach

Year 12 students from St Columba's College, Essendon let their hair down at Byron Bay after finishing their exams. (L to R) Natalie Tudzarov, 17, Alexandria Darmanin, 17, Janelle Mansour, 18, and Guilia Trotta, 18. Schoolies week in Byron Bay.
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Year 12 students from St Columba's College, Essendon let their hair down at Byron Bay after finishing their exams. (L to R) Natalie Tudzarov, 17, Alexandria Darmanin, 17, Janelle Mansour, 18, and Guilia Trotta, 18. Schoolies week in Byron Bay.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration.. LtR Neisha Cheney, Tom Williams, Georgia Skade, Shawn Featherston and Hayley Gollan.
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration.. LtR Neisha Cheney, Tom Williams, Georgia Skade, Shawn Featherston and Hayley Gollan.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Jack Fenech Francis Keely, Dave Anderson, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Jack Fenech Francis Keely, Dave Anderson, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Declan Maloney, Francis Keely, Jack Fenech, Scott Baletra, Tim Whitty and Dave Anderson from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Declan Maloney, Francis Keely, Jack Fenech, Scott Baletra, Tim Whitty and Dave Anderson from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne

Teenagers Hayley Gollan (L), Tom Williams, Georgia Skade and Neisha Cheney enjoying 2010 Schoolies Week celebrations in Byron Bay on the NSW far North Coast.
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Teenagers Hayley Gollan (L), Tom Williams, Georgia Skade and Neisha Cheney enjoying 2010 Schoolies Week celebrations in Byron Bay on the NSW far North Coast.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Dave Anderson, Jack Fenech, Francis Keely, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Tim Whitty, Dave Anderson, Jack Fenech, Francis Keely, Declan Maloney and Scott Baletra, from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne

School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.
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School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.

School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast. Teenagers from Melbourne Victoria stock up on alcohol.
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School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast. Teenagers from Melbourne Victoria stock up on alcohol.

School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast. Teenagers from Melbourne Victoria stock up on alcohol.
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School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast. Teenagers from Melbourne Victoria stock up on alcohol.

School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.
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School leavers from NSW and Victoria celebrate the start schoolies week in Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast.

Teenagers from Scotch College and Xavier College in Melbourne, celebrate the end of their schooling by attending schoolies at Byron Bay, NSW. Teenagers hang out on the balcony in the Central Coast apartments in Byron Bay. Byron Bay operators have bumped up their prices, in some cases doubling rates to weed out 'troublemakers'.
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Teenagers from Scotch College and Xavier College in Melbourne, celebrate the end of their schooling by attending schoolies at Byron Bay, NSW. Teenagers hang out on the balcony in the Central Coast apartments in Byron Bay. Byron Bay operators have bumped up their prices, in some cases doubling rates to weed out 'troublemakers'.

Girls from Balwyn, Steph Freemantle, Emily Penn-Tonkin, Rochell Sen, Samantha Papa, Clare Taylor, Stephanie Presser, Laura Sernio and Charlotte Lawrence. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.
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Girls from Balwyn, Steph Freemantle, Emily Penn-Tonkin, Rochell Sen, Samantha Papa, Clare Taylor, Stephanie Presser, Laura Sernio and Charlotte Lawrence. Schoolies, enjoying themselves at Byron Bay.

Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Francis Keely, Jack Fenech, Dave Anderson, Tim Whitty, Scott Baletra and Declan Maloney from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne
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Teenagers start to arrive in Byron Bay for the 2011 schoolies week celebration. LtR Francis Keely, Jack Fenech, Dave Anderson, Tim Whitty, Scott Baletra and Declan Maloney from St Kevin's in Toorak Melbourne

Shark sighting yesterday (Wednesday) at Byron Bay near the old wreck on Belongil beach where two girls were left stranded until an IRB could get to them. Sydney schoolies Kristine Rafe and Annelie Zanten were just getting out of the water from a swim when the sighting happened.
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Shark sighting yesterday (Wednesday) at Byron Bay near the old wreck on Belongil beach where two girls were left stranded until an IRB could get to them. Sydney schoolies Kristine Rafe and Annelie Zanten were just getting out of the water from a swim when the sighting happened.

Coolum High Schoolies (L-R) Jake Naiyok, twins Blake Matthews and Ben Matthews, and Alex Fedorniak chose Byron Bay over surfers paradise for their 2009 Schoolies holiday.
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Coolum High Schoolies (L-R) Jake Naiyok, twins Blake Matthews and Ben Matthews, and Alex Fedorniak chose Byron Bay over surfers paradise for their 2009 Schoolies holiday.

Partygoers celebrate their Schoolies Week at The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay on far north coast of NSW, with many schoolies now opting for quieter party atmosphere, as normal Gold Coast venue is marred by drunkeness and violence.
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Partygoers celebrate their Schoolies Week at The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay on far north coast of NSW, with many schoolies now opting for quieter party atmosphere, as normal Gold Coast venue is marred by drunkeness and violence.

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Natalie Vickers, Ashley Constance with local resident Jaimini at The Beach Hotel
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Natalie Vickers, Ashley Constance with local resident Jaimini at The Beach Hotel

Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Sarah Tulloch, Jeni Bowtell, Kristina Palermo, Pip Inge on Main Beach
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Schoolies Week at Byron Bay NSW; Sarah Tulloch, Jeni Bowtell, Kristina Palermo, Pip Inge on Main Beach

Byron Bay. Girls from Melbourne Girls Grammer on the beach in the rain. Cordy McDougall, 17, Sophie Panton, 18, and Catherine Dutton, 18. Schoolies day 1.
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Byron Bay. Girls from Melbourne Girls Grammer on the beach in the rain. Cordy McDougall, 17, Sophie Panton, 18, and Catherine Dutton, 18. Schoolies day 1.

NOVEMBER 22, 2005: Melbourne schoolies enjoying time at Byron Bay instead of coming up to the Gold Coast. Loreto Mandeville Halls Girls Catholic school's Clare Undwin 17 years and Blake Tyrell from St Kevins College chill out on the beach. PicDavid/Clark
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005: Melbourne schoolies enjoying time at Byron Bay instead of coming up to the Gold Coast. Loreto Mandeville Halls Girls Catholic school's Clare Undwin 17 years and Blake Tyrell from St Kevins College chill out on the beach. PicDavid/Clark

Schoolies Lizi Ross, Alex Sedger, Chantell Delaney, Catherine Ross, Anna Challis, Lucy Scriven, Anna Challis and Jaya Ferreira and Jacqui Cooper enjoy a drink at the Byron Bay Hotel. The girls, all friends, are wary of drink-spiking during Schoolies Week.
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Schoolies Lizi Ross, Alex Sedger, Chantell Delaney, Catherine Ross, Anna Challis, Lucy Scriven, Anna Challis and Jaya Ferreira and Jacqui Cooper enjoy a drink at the Byron Bay Hotel. The girls, all friends, are wary of drink-spiking during Schoolies Week.

23/11/2004. Victorian Schoolies from Canterbury girls and Scotch College enjoy the sun and surf at Byron Bay.
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23/11/2004. Victorian Schoolies from Canterbury girls and Scotch College enjoy the sun and surf at Byron Bay.

At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Domino Pozniak, Meryl Plaut and Terri Wasserman.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.
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At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Domino Pozniak, Meryl Plaut and Terri Wasserman.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.

At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Jonathan Seidler, David Schnabl and Merly Plaut.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.
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At Byron Bay for schoolies week.L/R Vanessa Opit, Jonathan Seidler, David Schnabl and Merly Plaut.All 18 years old and from Moriah College.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/regional/flashback-55-memories-from-byron-bay-schoolies/image-gallery/b8ad378c119a66eef3dfbd895e9b5af8