New South Wales teaches youth how to stay safe at nightlife venues

New initiative in Aussie state shows them what to expect via mock visit to nightclub

- Jonathan Pearlman

SYDNEY – Grace Alexander, a high school student in Australia, will celebrate her 18th birthday on Oct 16 and will be legally allowed to attend bars, pubs and nightclubs for the first time.

But she already had a taste of clubbing in 2023 after a mock visit to a popular nightclub in her home town of Albury in New South Wales as part of a new programme for students that promotes safety at venues serving alcohol.

Called Pause Play, the programme encourages young people to pause and consider their actions rather than act impulsively. A trial in 2023 involved 450 students, mostly 17-year-olds, in Grace's home town. A second run is scheduled for November.

“Like every other 18-year-old, I will soon be heading out to pubs and clubs and trying it out,” Grace said. “It can be a bit intimidating, so it was really valuable to learn what to expect and what to do if things go wrong.”

Pause Play was developed by Albury’s Liquor Accord - a partnership involving operators of bars, pubs and venues, as well as councils, businesses, the police, government departments and community members, to develop strategies for addressing local alcohol-related issues.