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Graduates discouraged from visiting Phillip Island for Schoolies

Victorian Year 12 students have missed out on many milestones this year due to COVID-19 and now their end of year Schoolies celebrations in Phillip Island is looking like another casualty.

Graduates are being discouraged from visiting Phillip Island this year for Schoolies. Picture: Hamish Blair
Graduates are being discouraged from visiting Phillip Island this year for Schoolies. Picture: Hamish Blair

Graduates planning to head to Phillip Island for Schoolies are being discouraged from visiting despite travel restrictions to regional Victoria being eased on November 9.

Bass Coast Shire Council said they “aren’t planning on promoting Schoolies” on the island.

“Council has no authority in accepting school leavers to the area regardless of their location,” a council spokesman said.

“If relevant COVID restrictions were still applicable, the movement of youths to the Phillip Island for schoolies would be discouraged”.

Despite this, a Facebook group ‘Schoolies 2020 Phillip Island’ has been created to post about potential parties and gatherings.

The private group has more than 300 members with this expected to increase over the next couple of weeks.

Phillip Island has always been a popular destination of choice for Schoolies.
Phillip Island has always been a popular destination of choice for Schoolies.

Council said if school leavers visit Phillip Island during schoolies, the relevant COVID restrictions will apply.

“It may include limits of individuals in indoor and outdoor spaces,” a council spokesman said.

“We recommend that they register their attendance at the Good Times Great Breaks which includes helpful tips on staying safe with links to available youth support networks”.

Victoria Police said they are “currently assessing resourcing options in relation to Schoolies 2020”.

“Victoria Police will be responsible for enforcing the Chief Health Officer directives in place at the time,” Victoria Police Media Adviser Zoe Walsh said.

“We will have more information around police resourcing for Schoolies on the Bass Coast in the coming weeks”.

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brooke.grebert-craig@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bass-coast/graduates-discouraged-from-visiting-phillip-island-for-schoolies/news-story/4f6bf0eddea79fdbce99abab191080b1