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BRISBANE - Thousands of teenagers streamed into Surfers Paradise today as celebrations marking the end of their school days got into full swing.
The traditional student celebrations officially started today, with up to 50,000 school leavers expected to descend on the Gold Coast over the next fortnight, spearheaded by students from Queensland.
Students from NSW, Victoria and other states are expected to follow in the second week after their respective school terms end.
Police recorded a busy opening to the festival, with three school-leavers arrested during the first 24 hours of celebrations.
The three male schoolies, all from the local area, were charged with public nuisance offences.
Gold Coast District Officer Superintendent Jim Keogh said 49 other people were arrested on 57 charges overnight - mostly public nuisance and drug offences - but they were not schoolies related.
"In light of the overnight arrests, I would urge young people to stay together during schoolies celebrations, look out for your friends, be aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself in a vulnerable position by drinking too much or wandering off by yourself," Mr Keogh said in a statement.
He warned parents not to supply alcohol for children attending schoolies celebrations and urged schoolies to register and pick up a special ID wristband that provides exclusive access to the beach area.
A 1.8-metre fence has been erected on the beach this year to keep older people from gatecrashing the celebrations.
Mr Keogh said police will target drinking in public places, drink driving, excessive liquor consumption and anti-social behaviour.
"One of the key messages is don't jeopardise your future career by behaving irresponsibly or committing an offence," he said.
"It would be dreadful for young people to be charged with liquor, assault, driving or property damage offences during schoolies which could result in a criminal record."
Schoolies.com general manager Andrew Growcott said his organisation had taken bookings for 28,500 schoolies this year - up about five per cent on last year.
"Today is probably the busiest day of the year and it is all going according to plan so far," Mr Growcott told AAP.
"The weather has been good on the Gold Coast today, so that always helps keep the schoolies out and active.
"We haven't heard of any dramas. All the buildings seem pretty happy."
Mr Growcott said up to A$60 million ($71.20 million) was expected to be injected into the Gold Coast economy as a direct result of the festival.
He said 18,000 bookings had already been taken for the 2008 event.
- AAP
