26 November 2025
Leavers celebrate safely at Meelup BeachFest
Thousands of excited Year 12 graduates travelled to the South West this year for the annual Leavers celebrations coordinated by WA Police.
BeachFest has become one of the most anticipated events of the week, giving young people a safe place to relax and celebrate together after a demanding final year of school.
Leavers made their way to Meelup Beach to enjoy inflatables, beach games, food trucks and music from a live DJ. They also had the chance to win a private beach cabana to share with friends through a Royal Life Saving WA social media competition.
While BeachFest is all about having a good time, it’s also a reminder of why water safety education is so important. National data shows that drowning rates rise sharply between 15 to 24 years, with more than one in ten drowning deaths involving a blood alcohol level (BAC) over 0.05.
Royal Life Saving WA’s “Be A Mermate” campaign encourages young people to look out for one another, make sensible choices in and around the water and step in when a mate needs support. During Leavers week, trained volunteers spend time with students across key locations to share practical tips, answer questions and explain what to do in an emergency.
Youth Water Safety Program Coordinator Tneale Maher highlighted the value of speaking with young people about water safety, noting that that they respond more quickly when the message comes from their peers. This helps build lasting habits that continue to protect them well beyond Leavers week.
“Young people care deeply about their friends, but knowing how to step in can be the hard part,” Tneale said. “The challenge is knowing what to say in the moment. When we run through real scenarios, like a friend wanting to swim after drinking, their confidence grows quickly. They come up with ways to step in and suddenly the whole group sees how easy it can be to prevent something serious.”
Royal Life Saving WA is proud to be part of the WA Police Leavers strategy, helping ensure that events like Meelup BeachFest are enjoyable, well-supported and safe.
For more information about Royal Life Saving WA’s youth safety initiatives, visit the link below.
