Leavers Volunteer Mel Hankin with Leeanne from Hope Community Services, Carley from the WA Aids Council and the Red Frogs Mascot!
Preparations underway for Leavers 2017
Royal Life Saving Society WA joined the WA police and other youth support groups yesterday, to launch the 2017 Leavers campaign at the B Shed in Fremantle. These groups are preparing to assist young people to safely mark the end of their high school journey through the traditional Leavers celebrations at Rottnest Island and Dunsborough.
Leavers week runs from the 20th to 24th November this year, and Royal Life Saving will be working in partnership with the police and other community groups, including Red Frogs, WA Aids Council and Hope Community Services to provide support services for teenagers attending Leavers activities. Royal Life Saving’s Don’t Drink and Drown team is focused on ensuring those taking part are aware of the dangers associated with mixing alcohol with a range of risky behaviours and activities.
The Don’t Drink and Drown program was launched in 2004 to address the high number of alcohol related drowning deaths and injuries in the high-risk 15-24 year old age group. On average 4 young people drown each year in WA and 10 are hospitalized following a non-fatal drowning. Alcohol contributes to almost half of these incidents.
Don’t Drink and Drown aims to reduce these statistics by sharing the message that drinking alcohol while recreating in, on or around water leaves you at a much higher risk of drowning. The campaign urges teenagers to know their limits, only swim during the day and in well-lit areas, never swim alone and look after their mates.
Our Don’t Drink and Drown volunteers will head to Dunsborough and Rottnest to run diversionary activities and promote the Don’t Drink and Drown message to Leavers. The major event for the team during Leavers Week is the annual Meelup Beach Day which will this year be held on Wednesday 22nd of November. This is the biggest day event during Leavers Week at Dunsborough, and usually attracts around 5,000 leavers, with DJs, inflatable aqua playgrounds, underwater photographers and beach sports providing alcohol free fun!
Royal Life Saving WA is grateful to the WA Police who provide funding for Don’t Drink and Drown Leavers activities, and looks forward to working alongside the police and other youth organisations during this year’s Leavers celebrations.
For more details about our Leavers Week activities click the link below to visit our Don’t Drink and Drown pages.
