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“Tame” Leavers praised

Sophie ElliottBusselton Dunsborough Times

It has been an uneventful start to Leavers 2019 celebrations in the State’s South West with zero arrests or ambulance call outs.

Event organisers have praised this year’s cohort of Year 12 graduates, describing them as “well-behaved” and “respectful.”

The South West town of Dunsborough has steadily become the WA’s schoolies hot spot and this year is in the spotlight even more so due to the cancellation of official festivities in Rottnest.

Last year’s Rottnest event attracted just 100 leavers, which pales in comparison to the more than 8000 schoolies expected to hit the Capes region this week.

So far, 7,600 wristbands have been sold for the alcohol-free designated entertainment precinct known as The Zone.

WA Police Leavers project manager Clint Browning said he was thrilled with the smooth start to Leavers 2019 and the opening night of The Zone.

“It has been really tame with no incidents of significance,” he said.

“Leavers enjoyed their first night and getting to know the police and volunteers.

“We are expecting even more to travel down after finishing their exams today.”

Volunteer organisation Red Frogs WA have sent their biggest support crew ever to the Dunsborough event.

Red Frogs WA general manager Hayden Glass praised the behaviour and response of leavers so far.

“It has been such a great start to Leavers,” he said.

“There has been healthy responses to what we are doing and leavers have been healthy in their decision making.

“The Zone was pumping, which is great because it is the safest place for them to be.

“They had a great time, partied and then they went home to bed – it was so chilled.”

Leavers exiting The Zone last night at 10pm told The West Australian they had enjoyed their night and were going home at a reasonable hour to “pace themselves” for the week ahead.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman confirmed there had been no ambulances called to The Zone, no issues and no Leavers related incidents throughout town.

The relaxed vibes of the Dunsborough event vastly contrasts the chaos of Schoolies on the Gold Coast, which has already been marred by ‘toolies’, drug possession, public nuisance and arrests.

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