A TICKETED event for school leavers who graduated in 2021 and 2020 is part of a new approach to this year’s Schoolies’ celebrations on the Mornington Peninsula.
A festival-style event next weekend will feature live music, activities and food trucks in a fenced-off area on Rye foreshore. Music will play 3-11pm Saturday 27 November and 2-10pm Sunday 28 November.
Every year thousands of school leavers descend on the peninsula to celebrate an end to 12 years of schooling. The long-standing tradition of flocking to the Rye foreshore has become a rite of passage for students from all over Melbourne.
The festival aims to improve on previous celebrations at which schoolies had no focal point for engagement or entertainment, resulting in masses gathering on the foreshore and private house parties. This has limited the ability for support services to supervise schoolies, occasionally leading to behavioural issues with minors and “toolies” joining in.
Partners in the festival are peninsula-based event producer Hardware Group and media agency Bolster.
The ticketed event is only for students who graduated in 2021 or 2020. They will be required to show proof of vaccination status.
The fenced and gated area will have unlicensed and licensed zones, and patrons will need to provide ID to enter the licensed area.
“Council supports an organised, safe and fun event for schoolies on the peninsula,” the former mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said.
“Schoolies choose to come to the peninsula every year, and this year we want to ensure they can celebrate and make life-long memories in a safe environment.”
Cr Susan Bissinger said this year’s school leavers have “had it particularly tough”.
“We are looking forward to welcoming them in big numbers to Rye this November, with a well organised, professionally run two-day music festival that prioritises their safety,” she said.
The shire is working with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Red Frogs and Dance Wize to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. Dance Wize and Red Frogs will have marquees inside the festival hub to provide harm minimisation and support services. Security staff will patrol inside and outside the fenced area.
Shuttle buses will run to and from the festival site.
Tickets at $40 for one day and $70 for both days are available at @peninsulaschoolies on Instagram. Proof of age, vaccination status and school ID is required.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 23 November 2021
