Schoolies security in Varsity

By Jasmina Hamzic and Georgie Talbutt, Bond University journalism students

Bottle shops at Varsity Lakes have increased security measures this week to stop minors buying alcohol for Schoolies.
 
While the week of partying takes place at Surfers Paradise, bottle shops from suburbs as far as Varsity Lakes are being cautious.
 
Varsity Lakes Dan Murphy’s have doubled security for the annual event.
 
Dan Murphy’s employee Sherridan Lee said there would be a security guard on the door this week.
 
“The IDs will be checked at the door as well as by the register staff, so they could be checked up to three or four times,” Ms Lee said.
 
“Basically, we are mainly concerned about parents buying alcohol for their kids, so we follow them around to make sure the kids aren’t pointing out what they want.”
 
The increased security measures have had the desired effect in stopping underage schoolie-goers from trying to buy alcohol.
 
Recently graduated school student Natalie Davis, who is attending schoolies, said she doesn’t know anyone underage who has bought alcohol this week.
 
“I know some 17 year olds were going to try to buy alcohol last night,” Natalie said.
 
“They didn’t end up doing it because they were scared off by how tight the security was.”
 
Caption: Schoolie-goers Natalie Davis (left) and Eva Druery enjoy an alcohol-free day at Schoolies.