Police preparing to step up their response to 2022 schoolies

Schoolies are being encouraged to “let their hair down” on Phillip Island but police stress they will not tolerate bad behaviour.

Police have warned they will be out in force as thousands of schoolies prepare to descend on Phillip Island for what is expected to be the biggest post-school celebration since the onset of COVID.

As the island prepares to welcome thousands of young party goers in a few weeks, Wonthaggi Police’s Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Morison warned that police would be out in force to curb any bad behaviour and would monitor “high risk” short stay accommodation providers closely.

“We will be targeting underage drinking and anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“Police will not tolerate behaviour that results in damage to community property.”

He moved to reassure the local community that police would be there to ensure community safety was upheld and that there were minimal disruptions to the wider community.

Wonthaggi Police’s Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Morison warned that police would be out in force to curb any bad behaviour and would monitor high risk short stay accommodation providers closely.

Between 1500 and 2000 schoolies are expected to flock to the region from November 25, a number he said was consistent with previous years.

“We will be monitoring the schoolies while they are here trying to make sure they are able to let their hair down and have a good time and do it in a safe environment,” he said.

“It’s not just about the kids. We have to take into consideration the local community, we just want to have a safe event.”

Acting Senior Sergeant Morison said police would be taking their lead from Red Frogs, a charity organisation which provides safety and support for school leavers.

“We will be targeting a shorter period and then we will have increased resources to make both Cowes and San Remo stations 24 hours for the entirety of the schoolies period,” he said.

“It is something we have never done before.”

More police resources will deployed to the region this year in what was described as a “risk-averse approach”.

The Highway Patrol and Public Order Response Team will join more uniformed officers from the Latrobe Valley to create a very visible police presence, he said.

Local business raring to go

After Covid dampened the party in 2020 and 2021, local venues are excited to have full blown schoolies back in town.

Hotel general manager Dale Larkin said he was excited to have all the kids coming through the venue.

“Schoolies is great for us,” he said.

“Last year we had about 3500 kids come through the venue and this year we are looking forward to even more.”

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Hotel will be running a fully ticketed event, in partnership with Schoolies Do it Better and Lucky Entertainment.

The nightclub will open every night from November 27 until the December 2.

There will be more than 30 DJs playing and Mr Larkin said he wanted to ensure everyone had a good, safe time.

“We look after them. They just want to have some fun and usually once they are inside venues they are pretty well behaved,” he said.

“It is when they are out on the street or bored that they get into trouble.”

Local accommodation is filling up and North Pier, a registered schoolies destination, has limited rooms left available to year 12 students.

Council urges schoolies to “make good decisions”

Bass Coast Council said schoolies were an important source of revenue for lots of local businesses.

“They bring an injection of revenue to local businesses, through accommodation bookings, food purchases and attendance at multiple tourist attractions,” a spokesperson said.

The council will run a “harm minimisation program” with multiple other groups including red frogs, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria to ensure the school leavers “stay safe, to make good choices and enjoy the beauty that is Phillip Island”.

“Council maintains the infrastructure to allow stakeholders to build relationships with the School Leavers and to provide drug, alcohol and sexual health counselling alongside community focused policing and emergency care capabilities,” the spokesperson said.

Previous years have seen schoolies causing some damage to the community.

In 2020 the footy oval in Cowes was damaged after schoolies drove a car onto it.

There has also been a history of fights and large amounts of rubbish left on the foreshore.

“Council ensures there is a security presence to ensure community assets are looked after,” a council spokesperson said.

“We just want them to be respectful of the locals and their spaces, remembering that families use the same areas during the day that school leavers use at night time.”

Council wants schoolies “to stay safe, to make good choices and enjoy the beauty that is Phillip Island”.

Phillip Island is a popular schoolies destination because of its picturesque white sand beaches and glistening clear water, according to schoolies.com.

Its proximity to Melbourne also makes it a popular spot.

“With plenty of activities and space to roam, you can do as much or as little as you like,” they said.

“If you fancy a laid back atmosphere then schoolies on Phillip Island is the perfect destination to spend your Schoolies Week.”