Leavers' challenge

Dunsborough leavers’ week organisers are planning for almost half of the students being able to drink alcohol by 2014 and a potential increase in celebrating students this year.

Planning is already under way for changes to the school starting age which will mean up to 40 per cent of revellers will be 18 years old during leavers’ week celebrations in the next three years.

Busselton shire representatives including police, Busselton Shire Councillors and council staff, took part in a two-day symposium in Perth last month to plan for potential issues and make changes to upcoming leavers celebrations.

Office of Crime Prevention leavers project manager Lisa Clack said the group received advice from Eastern States leavers’ week organisers, who were also dealing with 18-year-old school-leavers, about the changes needed to prevent alcohol being given to children.

Ms Clack said the visitors said changes were expected to be “minor” and early plans were leaning towards the continuation of a leavers-only “zone” where alcohol would be banned in an effort to try and curb drinking by those who were 18 and over.

Organisers were also preparing for leavers’ week to fall on a weekend, from November 26 to 28, instead of the usual mid-week date to avoid clashes with Year 12 exam timetables.

Ms Clack said the move to a weekend could result in an increase in numbers visiting Dunsborough to celebrate.

“Because it’s on a weekend, potentially more people will be able to come,” she said.

“We’re still expecting the same people as last year but we have got some contingency planning just in case.”

Ms Clack said she was unable to say whether the planning would include extra resources such as police.

Councillor David Binks, who also attended the forum, said the impact of a weekend leavers’ week was unknown as it was a first for Dunsborough.

He said organisers hoped to draw on experiences of Eastern States leavers’ week organisers to help deal with potential issues, although he has expressed his disappointment about council rejecting his attendance at an upcoming leavers conference in Queensland to address a national conference.

The Busselton Shire Cuncil voted 5-4 against the trip in a confidential item recently.