As the sun dips low over Western Australia’s south-west coast and the sand dunes of Dunsborough beckon, thousands of Year 12 students are gearing up for the rite of passage known locally as “Leavers”. It’s a week of celebration, freedom and farewells — but along with the promise of fun comes a clear and urgent message: safe sex matters. The state’s health authorities are using the annual event to launch a bold “pack, use, test” campaign aimed squarely at the class of 2025 and beyond.
The campaign — spearheaded by WA Health and its Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program — is rooted in hard data and real concerns. Recent figures show that young people aged 15-24 carry the highest notification rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the state, with gonorrhoea notifications reaching a ten-year peak of more than 5,000 last year. It’s a wake-up call: beneath the sun, surf and selfie sticks lies the very real risk of STIs — and not all cases come with obvious symptoms.
The message is simple but powerful: pack condoms, use them properly and consistently, and get tested early. The campaign timeline is carefully calibrated: from 16–22 November, the “be prepared” phase urges students to pack appropriate protection; from 23–29 November, during Leavers week, the focus is on safe-sex behaviours; and after the event (30 November–14 December), attention shifts to testing and treatment. In a bit of local flair, the Department held a condom-wallet design competition whose winning entry will be distributed at Leavers, making the message both accessible and Aussie-relatable.
Culturally, the campaign leans into the “mateship” and “look out for your own” ethos that Australians, especially younger ones, appreciate. It speaks not just to individual responsibility but to looking out for friends when the party’s on, the drinks are flowing, and judgement might be a bit hazy. The region’s Leavers events have evolved beyond just wild parties into managed festival-style zones with harm-minimisation frameworks in place — a combined effort by the WA AIDS Council (WAAC), the WA Police Force and various youth-health services.
That’s not to say the “good time” won’t come. But the tone shifts slightly: this is your end-of-school blow-out, but you still walk away with everything intact. As program manager Lisa Bastian put it: “Condoms are the most effective protection against STIs… if you have unprotected sex, it’s vital you see a doctor or clinic for testing.” She also flagged the role of alcohol and drugs in impairing decision-making — a very real feature of many Leavers events — and urged open conversations around consent.
There’s also a broader context: in many Aboriginal and regional communities, STIs have long been a disproportionate health burden, and younger leavers travelling to the coast bring with them layers of social and cultural complexity. The campaign, while universal, is mindful of inclusivity and of reaching audiences beyond the city fringes. WAAC peer-based outreach during Leavers events emphasises this: having volunteer teams who recently finished school themselves means the messages hit home harder.
For parents and caregivers — often left wondering how to broach such awkward topics — the advice is crystal clear: “Have that chat.” The campaign encourages open dialogues about sex, consent, drugs, and just plain being smarter than the moment you’re in. It’s not about preaching; it’s about equipping. As one official noted: “As a parent it can be awkward … but it’s a really good opportunity to have that conversation.”
In sum: Leavers is a big deal — the sun, the surf, the mates, the post-school buzz. But this year in WA, it comes with added layers: a campaign that says, “Have a blast — just don’t wreck your future.” Pack the condoms, know your rights, respect your mates and your body, and when you’re back home, get tested. Because picking up a trophy selfie isn’t the only thing to walk away with.
Here comes Spicy Auntie — sunscreen on, sandals off, and absolutely ready to talk about Australia’s legendary Leavers season. Darlings, every November like clockwork, thousands of bright-eyed Year 12 grads pack their bags, hit the coast, and prepare to finally blow off steam after years of homework, exams, and surviving group projects with people who cannot reply to messages. And honestly? Auntie approves. You earned this week. You deserve joy. But before the party kicks off, gather round — Auntie has a few spicy truths to sprinkle on your celebrations.
First: a big round of applause to Western Australia’s health authorities. Yes, Auntie is praising the government — write it down as a historic moment. Their safe-sex campaign this year is practical, no-nonsense, and exactly what young people need. Free condoms? Tick. Clear reminders about STI testing? Tick. Honest talk about booze, drugs, and decision-making? Tick, tick, tick. It’s refreshing to see officials treating youth not as walking disasters waiting to happen but as capable humans who simply need the right tools to navigate a high-energy week full of temptation, hormones, and very questionable playlists.
Now, let’s get to condoms. Sweeties, they are not optional. They are your best mates for the week — more loyal than the friend who gets lost after two drinks and more reliable than that crush who says, “Come to my room, we’ll just chat.” Condoms prevent STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and post-Leavers regret spirals. They come in pretty wrappers, they fit in every pocket and handbag, and the WA government even commissioned cute Leavers-themed holders. So no excuses, my loves. Pack them. Use them. Replace them. Repeat.
But the hottest topic — and the most important — is CONSENT. That magical word. That sacred line. Consent means everyone involved is fully into it, fully awake, fully aware, and fully able to say yes without pressure. It means you check in, you listen, you watch for discomfort, you stop when something shifts. Consent doesn’t care how “nice” someone is, how late it is, or whether you’ve been flirting all night. Consent is active. Continuous. Sexy. Respectful. And anyone who cannot follow that rule? Not worth your time, energy, or lip balm.
Auntie also wants every young woman and man to know: you have the right to say no. You have the right to change your mind. You have the right to walk away. And you have the right to be treated like a whole person, not a trophy, not a dare, not a story for someone’s group chat. Let’s make this the generation that sets the gold standard for respectful, joyful intimacy.
Now — after all that homework, after all the reminders, after you’ve packed your condoms and your common sense — it’s time.
Go. Have fun. Dance barefoot. Laugh till your ribs hurt. Enjoy your independence, your friendships, your youth. Leavers only happens once, and Auntie wants you to have the time of your lives — safely, smartly, beautifully.