POLICE will be out in force patrolling known party hot spots as young people are expected to converge on the Mornington Peninsula for schoolies celebrations.
Most activity is expected around Rosebud and Rye, which have been the focus in previous years of out-of-control schoolies parties that have turned violent.
In a shocking incident last year at Rosebud a policeman was king hit by a reveller after a party involving up to 300 schoolies on Rosebud pier.
Fifteen people were arrested, and a 15-year-old Rosebud teen was later charged with assaulting an emergency worker, reckless conduct likely to cause serious injury, resisting police and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The increased pressure on services prompted Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt to call for staffing of frontline police stations across the state to be made a priority.
Acting Inspector Ian Pregnell said this year had the potential to be busier following two years of lockdown, but police would be supported by the mounted branch, highway patrol, public order response team and drug and alcohol units.
Some media reports have put the expected number of schoolies on the peninsula at 9000.
Pregnell said the main message to get into the community was that police will be visible to ensure young people can celebrate responsibly and they and the community can feel safe.
“Police are very familiar with schoolies, this has become business as usual for police,” he said.
“We welcome party-going schoolies to the peninsula but are encouraging responsible behaviour so everyone can enjoy it.”
Pregnell said police would have a presence across the peninsula, but particularly at hot spots.
Rye is now marketed heavily by travel companies and “schoolies” accommodation sites, which tout the peninsula as a “safe atmosphere”, beach setting with cafes, bars and clubs.
But accommodation providers are also bracing themselves for a hectic few weeks, after last year saw rowdy schoolies damage several short-stay venues, including one Rye Airbnb property that suffered $40,000 damage.
Large bonds are now required upfront by most venue providers following holes being punched in walls, doors being ripped off hinges, and windows smashed on previous schoolies bookings.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, which on its website described last year’s Rye schoolies as a “success”, has also tried to take a proactive approach to the problem of drunken, partying youths on the peninsula, again organising its own schoolies event over the weekend of 26 and 27 November – Peninsula Schoolies 2022.
The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said this year’s event would have a “another bumper line up of music, we hope all attendees have a safe and enjoyable event”.
Last year around 7000 school leavers and partygoers flocked to Rye for week of entertainment, with the council also organising activities and wellbeing support for school leavers.
For the full line up and to buy tickets visit:
@peninsulaschoolies on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or visit the website: peninsulaschoolies.com.au
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 November 2022
