Byron schoolies get A grades | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

30th November 2009

Police have praised Byron schoolies for the way they have conducted themselves, while still enjoying fun and games (above and below) over the weekend.

Jay Cronan

BYRON Bay has put the Gold Coast to shame as police praised the behaviour of thousands of schoolies at the weekend.

Saturday night was expected to be the biggest of Schoolies Week, which actually spans across three weekends, as New South Wales and Victorian Year 12 graduates joined those from Queensland.

Byron Bay duty officer Insp Owen King said it was a busy night, but there were no major problems.

“People celebrating Schoolies have been well behaved,” he said.

“The problems we’ve been seeing have been with what they call the toolies (those over 18) and foolies (under 18).”

He said there had been several people charged with assault, but none was schoolies.

Byron Bay Schoolies Hub co-ordinator Nicqui Yazdi also said the majority should be proud of their behaviour.

“It’s been pretty good and most are really polite,” she said.

“They’ve been coming to us looking for a bit of mum love.

“They’ve been wanting Band-aids and things like that.

“You’ve got to remember that they’re still kids, but they’ve been great.”

The schoolies in Byron Bay are a far cry from those who have visited the Gold Coast over the past week.

Higharrest figures and debaucheries on the Gold Coast have resulted incalls from the community for Schoolies Week to be cancelled and forState and council funding for the event to be cut.

Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke called this year’s Schoolies Week the ‘worst ever.’

Ms Yazdi said schoolies came to Byron Bay knowing it would be different.

“The kids who come here know that it’s laid-back and there are no big organised parties for them,” she said.

“Byron Bay is the place to be.

“The Gold Coast has had its day.”

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