Schoolies at Airlie Beach | Whitsundays News | Local News in Whitsundays

MORE than 2500 school leavers from as far away as NSW are in Airlie Beach to celebrate Schoolies Week.

With only one day to go, the partying and action-packed program is now in full swing.

Schoolies event manager Nicole Graham said schoolies were still engaging in the organised activities and dance parties.

She said the Red Frog stage was as popular as ever.

The Red Frog program is a volunteer support organisation that looks after schoolies.

For the seventh year, Red Frog volunteers are onboard for Schoolies Week in Airlie Beach.

Founder and national co-ordinator of the Red Frogs Australia and Chaplaincy Network, Andy Gourley, flew in from Brisbane this week to join the 70 volunteers already based in the Whitsundays.

Teams of volunteers, who are aged between 18 and 25, have been recruited through church organisations and placed at accommodation houses throughout the week.

This is where the majority of drinking takes place, according to Mr Gourley.

"It's good to have designated sober people in those areas because a lot can go wrong behind closed doors," he said.

As well as providing a free dance party each night, Red Frog teams walk schoolies back to their accommodation houses, dispose of cans and bottles on verandas so they don't become projectiles and generally ensure that schoolies are safe.

Each year, six tonnes of red frog lollies are given out during Schoolies Week across the country, acting as an ice-breaker and "entry pass to any party in Australia".

"Airlie Beach is one of the best run schoolies weeks from our perspective... (And) I think one of the most supported schoolies locations in Australia," Mr Gourley said.

Whitsunday Regional Council's manager of community development and projects Bruce Green said the vast majority of schoolies had been well behaved.

The local community has also embraced Schoolies Week by providing discounts or lending a helping hand.

The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach manned the barbecue at Schoolies Central, next to the lagoon, on the weekend and served up more than 2500 free sausages during the two days.

About 30 members shared the load and also lent their facilities to the Red Frog Crew.

Ms Graham said support services such as the police, ambulance officers, Queensland Health and Queensland Fire and Rescue as well as the Whitsunday Regional Council and Christian group Youth with a Mission had also been very involved in Schoolies Week.

"Providing a great experience can only lead to a positive memorable event for all schoolies, which will ultimately lead them back to Airlie Beach for a holiday in years to come," she said.

Schoolies Week ends tomorrow.