I realise that the Spring Racing Carnival probably killed off a number of brain cells in young girls the state over, however I had thought (hoped) that some of my words of wisdom when it comes to alcohol, decorum and conducting oneself in public would have sunk in. I was proven wrong last week when I celebrated the New Year at coastal hotspot Phillip Island and was confronted with hundreds of drunk and scantily clad teens, showing too much boob, too much leg and way past the point of being tipsy/happy drunk.

As I ventured to the foreshore with two families (3 small children between them) I was horrified to find our idyllic holiday spot had become schoolies week on steroids. Half dressed teens drank openly in the streets, swearing was prominent and every second girl had a cigarette.

We set up our picnic rug and settled in for the early fireworks, only to be caught in the amazing storms not ten minutes after we sat down. Huddled under the aforementioned picnic rug, under a tree, the 5 adults and 3 children choose to wait out the rain while watching the spectacular sound and light show Mother Nature had decided to put on for the occasion.

Our tree became crowded when a small group of teenagers also wanted to share our shelter, swearing and drinking like the very best sailors would have in their day. We watched as three boys attempted a late night swim (it wasn’t warm and the water was clearly dangerous), while others dragged intoxicated friends across the road in front of oncoming cars.

All of this occurred prior to 9pm. I doubt some of those kids would even have made it to midnight. Watching the parade of cars leaving the island at 4pm on New Years Day, all branded with red and green P plates, is evidence that most of them probably needed the day to be sober enough to drive.

Ordinarily Phillip Island is a family friendly destination for the New Year, but what I saw this year will make me think twice about it next year. Where did you spend the New Year and what did you experience?