Assignment FAQs
Doing a school assignment on Red Frogs Australia? This will give you a great start.
What do the Red Frogs actually do?
Red Frogs is a support program for young people from the ages of 15 – 25.
Red Frogs recognise that the culture of young people is dominated by alcohol, and the excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviours. Red Frogs therefore makes it their mission to: provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments where young people gather; educate young people on safe partying behaviours; and promote and provide alcohol-free and or/diversionary activities that engage young people in these environments.
How did Red Frogs start?
It all started in 1997 when Red Frogs Australia founder Andy Gourley (then youth pastor at Citipointe Church) hit Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast with his skateboarding mates and realised the need for a designated sober person at the massive drinking parties. Read the full story on our History page.
Who Are the Red Frog Volunteers?
A bunch of legends. Our volunteers are the heroes of Red Frogs Australia and it takes more than 4,500 people nationally to provide programs each year. They devote their time to others and unite together to provide solutions, support and safety for this generation of young people. Collectively our volunteers accumulate 182 000 hours serving 1.49 million Australians each year.
How many Red Frog volunteers are there?
4,500 volunteers are recruited annually across our 6 program areas, and are the heartbeat of the Red Frogs network.
How many Red Frogs volunteers are at location during Schoolies/Leavers?
The number of volunteers per location varies considerably depending on the location. On average, we have 50 volunteers at Philip Island and close to 800 on the Gold Coast. Nationally we have around 1500 volunteers in total across all 16 locations.
What are the Red Frogs' priority areas of work?
The Red Frogs programs include:
- Schoolies/Leavers Week
- Universities
- Education in high schools
- Boardriders skate program
- Sports events and team chaplaincy
- Festivals and band chaplaincy
You can find out more about our programs below.
How many Schoolies locations are there in Australia?
There are 17 Schoolies locations Australia-wide with over 70,000 School leavers attending.
Which location do you see the most medical attention needed as a result of alcohol or drug abuse?
The Gold Coast sees the largest number of Schoolies for the end of year party, so by nature we expect that this location would have the most incidents. However, we have seen a gradual decrease in incidents and a positive change of culture in the last several years.
Why do you think school students go to Schoolies?
It's perceived as a rite of passage for school leavers, and a way to celebrate their milestone achievement. For many, they just want to have a fun time with friends. The Red Frogs are there to ensure the fun doesn't get out of hand and be a sober friend when needed.
Would you describe Schoolies as a dangerous or harmless environment?
It's only dangerous if you don't look after yourself and your mates. There are things Schoolies/Leavers can do to ensure they have a safe and a fun time. Check out the Schoolies/Leavers Survival Tips for more information.
Have you have seen a decrease in alcohol consumption and a rise in the use of illicit drugs?
On the whole, alcohol is still the most popular choice for young people, with a minority of people using drugs. Alcohol-related calls to our call centre outweigh drug related calls 6:1.
Do you think it’s necessary for there to be more stringent drug laws to minimise the use of drugs?
We do agree that the enforcement of drug laws must be stringent, however we think this works hand in hand with the education of young people to the harm and risks associated with drug-use. We see that many graduate students go to School leavers without the intention of using drugs but when they get offered it they often get swept up in the moment and 'experience'. We call this 'experimental drug use', and it can end in a lot of regret and shame. Red Frogs go into hundreds of schools every year and speak to over 60,000 high school students about the risks that they are going to face at Schoolies/Leavers week, and how they can best prepare themselves to avoid making any decisions they will regret.
Together with education in the area of drug use and enforcement of drug laws by police, we can continue to expect an improvement in the party culture at Schoolies/Leavers.
Are there Red Frogs overseas?
You betcha. Red Frogs international locations include South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. You can also find Red Frogs in Vanuatu, Fiji and Bali during Schoolies celebrations.
How do I get Red Frogs at my high school?
We would love to hear from you if you’d like Red Frogs to visit your school. Send us an email us at education@redfrogs.com.au and we’ll see whether we can arrange someone coming to speak to your student cohort, or even a pancake cook-up!
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