Funding helps school leavers party safely

THE Safer School Leavers Program is back this year to support young people marking the end of their school years across the Surf Coast Shire and two other coastal Victorian municipalities.

On Friday last week, Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman announced the Surf Coast Shire, Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Bass Coast Shire would share $50,000 in funding from the Victorian government to enhance local safety programs during Schoolies.

This includes safety services and information on the use of alcohol and other drugs, access to mental health services, security services and transport for young people.

Funding also supports Red Frogs, a volunteer-based organisation, to host barbecues, provide breakfasts, and supply free drinking water in safe spaces where young people gather.

On the Surf Coast, more than 19,400 interactions were logged in 2023, and close to 6,000 young people were transported safely to their accommodations across the Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast, through buses arranged by the response team.

Red Frogs provide a positive peer presence in environments where young people gather, educate young people on safe partying behaviours, and promote alcohol-free and/or diversionary activities that engage young people in these environments.

The group’s volunteers regularly appear at popular Schoolies destinations each year, including Torquay and Lorne in the Surf Coast, the Gold Coast in Queensland, and as far away as Fiji and Bali.

“The Safer School Leavers Program continues to make a real difference – allowing young people to create life-long memories, in a safer environment,” Ms Suleyman said.

For more information on Red Frogs, head to redfrogs.com.au