Schoolies arrive on the Gold Coast, amid Covid and toolies warnings

2022-11-19

Thousands of teenagers descend on the Gold Coast to kick off Schoolies celebrations for the first time in years – but they’re STILL given a string of bizarre warnings about Covid … and ‘toolies’

An estimated 25,000 schoolies will descend on the Gold Coast alone this year
The Aussie rite of passage to many Year 12 students will kick off this weekend
But the wild festivities are not complete without warnings over Covid and more
Infectious diseases expert Professor Nigel McMillan said stick to outdoor venues
Police Minister Mark Ryan has asked uninvited ‘toolies’ to stay far away
Toolies are young men who sneak into schoolies to have sex with young girls

Thousands of teenagers have started descending on the Gold Coast for the biggest end of school party since 2018, despite fresh fears over the new Covid outbreak.

An estimated 25,000 year 12 students are expected to show up at the popular hot spot this weekend to kick off the annual three-week schoolies shindig.

It comes after two years of Covid disruption to the annual Australian passage of rite, known for its wild out-of-control partying and non-stop celebrations.

An estimated 25,000 year 12 students are expected to show up on the Gold Coast (pictured, girls getting the shopping in) at the weekend to kick off the annual three-week celebrations

Pictured: ex-The Voice star Sophie Fraser, known as Inoxia on TikTok where she has a staggering 3.9million followers, busks in Surfers Paradise on Saturday

The latest Covid-19 upsurge in Omicron cases has one expert calling on party-goers to take precautions (pictured, partygoers on the Gold Coast)

School leavers can visit Recharge Zones within the Schoolies Hub and along the Esplanade if in need of water or assistance (pictured, embraces at the party hub on the Gold Coast)

Most of the official events took place in outdoor venues, which minimised the risk of contracting the disease (pictured, boys getting the essentials)

Although the Gold Coast is the traditional home of schoolies, festivities have now also spread to the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and even overseas to Fiji and Bali.

The Gold Coast is still the original and the biggest – but in 2020 all events were canned due to Covid restrictions, with 2021 bringing only limited numbers to the party hubs.

This year though – with most Covid restrictions now axed – it is expected to see a return to the heyday of schoolies, despite warnings from some.

The new Covid-19 upsurge in Omicron cases has one expert calling on party-goers to take precautions.

Griffith University infectious diseases expert Professor Nigel McMillan told the Brisbane Times most of the official events took place in outdoor venues, which minimised the risk of contracting the disease.

Professor McMillan recommended that festive goers should stick to the outdoor events and encouraged the basics of hand washing and general hygiene.

It comes after a two-year disruption of the annual Australian passage of rite, known for its out-of-control partying (pictured, guys arriving at the Gold Coast)

Authorities have called on revellers to ‘take note of your surroundings and take care while on high-rise balconies’ during the vacation (pictured, boys hang out on at balcony at the Gold Coast)

‘I urge all young people to look out for their mates, stick together, and check in on one another,’ Police Minister Mark Ryan said (pictured, young school leavers at the Gold Coast on Saturday)

In 2020 the event was canned due to Covid restrictions, with 2021 bringing fewer numbers to the party hubs (pictured, a Year 12 student with the bare essentials on the Gold Coast)

He also warned the teenagers of other illnesses transmitted during these events, such as sexually transmitted diseases and potentially fatal meningococcal.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Mark Ryan has asked uninvited party goers to give the festivities a wide birth.

‘No one likes a ‘Toolie”, Mr Ryan said. ‘Leave this week to the young people who have worked hard and deserve to celebrate their accomplishments responsibly.’

Toolies are young men, who have left school, that sneak into schoolie events to have sex with female students.

Police on the Gold Coast will conduct random wanding for concealed weapons within the Safe Night Precinct (pictured, police on the scene)

‘Charge your phones, plan ahead and check in with your loved ones back home,’ Police Minister Ryan added (pictured, Year 12 students posing on the Gold Coast)

‘Leave this week to the young people who have worked hard and deserve to celebrate their accomplishments responsibly,’ Police Minister Mark Ryan said (pictured, girls living it up at the party hot spot on Saturday)

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there would be an increased police presence on the Gold Coast this week (pictured, a festive goer unloads on the Gold Coast)

‘I urge all young people to look out for their mates, stick together, and check in on one another. Take note of your surroundings and take care while on high-rise balconies,’ he added.

‘Charge your phones, plan ahead and check in with your loved ones back home.’

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there would be an increased police presence on the Gold Coast this week.

‘The police are here to keep everyone safe,’ Commissioner Carroll said.

‘I would encourage young people to strike up conversations with the crews at Schoolies this week.’

Police on the Gold Coast will conduct random wanding for concealed weapons within the Safe Night Precinct, while authorities will conduct venue checks for underage and fake IDs.

School leavers can visit Recharge Zones within the Schoolies Hub and along the Esplanade if in need of water or assistance.

Authorities will conduct venue checks for underage and fake IDs on the Gold Coast (pictured, selfies at the party hot spot)

Thousands of schoolies have been descending on a popular party spot, the most since 2018, despite fresh fears over the new Omicron outbreak (pictured, school leavers gearing up on the Gold Coast on Saturday)

The festivities also take place in other popular spots like the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, Fiji and Bali (a school leaver on the Gold Coast on Saturday)

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