James's story

What is this thing called 'schoolies week'?

The schoolies experience is like a riddle wrapped in an enigma. I say this because, despite what the media tells us, it is very hard to gain an accurate version of what schoolies week is all about. The week itself is what you make it.

When people talk about schoolies, the typical image is one of rowdy youth partying, often in a less than sensible manner. Now while this is undeniably true for some, it is certainly not what every schoolies holiday is about.

The week doesn't have to be a dangerous experience and it should certainly be an event that celebrates the end of 13 hectic years of school. Above all, it should be a week that you can enjoy in your own comfort zone.

Schoolies at Lorne

My personal experience of schoolies at Lorne was quite wide-ranging and it took me and my friends a few days to find "our scene".

We spent our first night at the local pub. During schoolies week the pub turns into more of a night club-styled event. This was not really a scene we were into.

The second night I spent at a friend's house playing in a poker night and while this was very enjoyable it wasn't really in line with what we wanted our celebration to be.

But the foreshore to the local beach turned out to suit us very well.

Lorne foreshore

Whether it is day or night, the foreshore was, in my opinion, the place to be.

During the day a multitude of schoolies groups would converge to socialise, play cricket or just to have a swim and catch some sun. At night the place would again become very active - now prominently a place to socialise and meet new people in what was every night a peaceful, violence-free area.

We also had the privilege to enjoy fire shows performed by some other school leavers who used fire toys to put on a dazzling display of precision and flare.

The most important thing to remember when organising your schoolies holiday is to pick a place that suits you. Wherever you go, the week is what you make it.

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