Most youngsters stay at school for 13 years or more and (in some states) finish with a gruelling final public examination. As new adults of 'barely 18', with new driving licences, only just legally permitted to drink alcohol, they are ready to party.
With summer approaching, these kids are like stones out of a sling-shot as they head for warm weather and good surf, and a week or so of a casual lifestyle in well-advertised places such as the Gold Coast (Surfer's Paradise) in Queensland or, more recently, Bali and other island destination.
While writing this, Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson was listening to an interview with the widow of Australian icon of country music, Slim Dusty. She told of a group of young Australians arriving in a country town for a concert, a few days early. Their boisterousness, saw them put into jail by the local constabulary, and they had to do some swift talking to enable them to be released on the night of the concert. (www.abc.net.au)
This illustrates the Australian 'larrikinism', which acknowledges that young people have liked to let their hair down. However, Mark Tronson notes some differences between now and the past.
Recognised issues
Over the past 20 years or so, discount air fares have become cheaper and cheaper. Along with heavy marketing of package holidays with accommodation included – sometimes directly to the schools – there are stories handed down by older siblings and friends of the good times they had at their own 'schoolies week'.
However, these are still young people, often unsupervised, who are not experienced in controlling their drinking and not at all interested in controlling their social behaviour. In many cases this is a recipe for disaster as they become a public nuisance and a danger to themselves and others.
The more serious accidents are reported nationwide, where normal exuberance has been exacerbated by alcohol and group behaviour. Last year a schoolie fell to his death from the balcony of a multi-storey building during a party; this year a young lad was electrocuted in Bali, negotiating an unsafe building site while walking (with friends back to their hotel).
Then there are the car accidents and swimming accidents that cannot be attributed to 'schoolies', but one cannot help but think that inexperienced driving, alcohol and swimming on unfamiliar beaches may contribute.
Parents, always worried sick when their school-leavers take the car anywhere or go out with their friends, are even more concerned when they read the media around this time of year, when story after story of bad behaviour and worse is reported. They read of young people collapsing because of binge drinking (on top of exhaustion due to final exams) and sometimes of criminal activity, in popular schoolies' destinations.
'Toolies' too have become a huge problem. This is an Aussie-style nickname given to those who are not school leavers, but who take advantage of the entertainment provided at these venues, who are maybe just looking for cheap thrills at the expense of the inexperienced youngsters – whether it be sex, booze, drugs, or general trouble-making. Last week Police raided Western Australia's Rottnest Island's Schoolies function and expelled a bunch of so called 'Toolies'.
Back at the always-popular Gold Coast, because of all the bad publicity and anger by local residents over the past ten years or so, there is now better policing and more restrictions on public alcohol consumption. This, however, puts more onus and responsibility onto the police and local residents.
Gold Coast Police were run ragged at this year's Schoolies, as are police in every popular or well-marketed Schoolies location. With rampant destruction, drinking binges, serious injury and deaths, the nation is fed up.
Parental options
What can parents do to protect their kids? And how many new adults will listen to their parents? The devastated mother and father of the boy recently electrocuted in Bali did not want him to go there – but in the end, he persuaded them that he was sensible and could be trusted. In his case, it was a true accident and seemingly nothing to do with any bad behaviour on his part; but just different standards and fewer regulations about building sites and temporary electricity supplies
Traditionally, parents who could afford it arranged alternatives to group holidays. The 'Grand Tour' of Europe was once popular with wealthy Australians, usually with the youngster (perhaps with a friend in tow) under supervision of a relative or chaperone. Today, with discount fares and tourist visas available in some other countries, the kids go off on their own, maybe with one or two friends, or maybe backpacking for a whole 'gap' year. Is it any 'safer'? Parents can't stop them, but at least these youngsters need to plan their trip carefully, perhaps working during the previous year to save up, and they are not going just to drink and misbehave. The parents hope these kids are furthering their experiences and education.
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson said that there have always been other cheaper options for parents who are unwilling to sponsor their child attending popularised 'schoolies' activities, and who can't afford a full-blown overseas trip. It is fortunate when the parents and children have such good communication and relationships that the kids will listen to the oldies, and he thanks the Lord that his own children and nephew and nieces have done.
In his own case, his eldest went to friends in Melbourne for a week of shopping; his second went to the Whitsundays with a family member; the third and fourth went to the Gold Coast on a different week (not the advertised schoolies week) with a family member. His nephews and nieces took their old family farm vehicle, each in turn, and went camping with a few close friends.
Scripture Union host numerous Schoolies camps and tours for Christian young people, including a Whitsundays sailing cruise (where the youngsters have the double benefit of learning to sail).
Considerations
Every parent has some concerns for their school leavers who want to celebrate finishing high school. Despite what the kids might think, the parents want them to have a great time without putting themselves in danger or over-doing it to the point of spoiling the longed-for release of tension.
Mark Tronson says that he and his wife weighed these issues carefully, and decided upon their own particular kind of activity for each of their four children after much discussion, and in the end they were able to come to a mutually agreeable solution.
But, although there are alternatives, he warns parents that it is too late to leave it until the exams are over. Ideas and family 'rules' about 'Schoolies week' should be discussed right at the beginning of year 12, or even at the end of year 11 when other friends may be off on their own celebrations. It might take some research and internet searching; but there will be something that satisfies everyone.
The Bible has much to say about parenting and honouring one's parents, for example Hebrews 12:11: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it"
Tronson advises parents to show some responsibility and family discipline, although each parent will come to their own decision. He knows from experience that, if there is mutual respect, the children will be relieved that they do not have to 'keep up with the Jones's' and just go wild. It is possible to do something that is (in the end) much more fun, that they can enjoy with their own friends or family.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html