By Bronwyn Hastings

Secondary school students gathered at Horsham for The Alfred’s ‘PARTY’ last week, in a bid to Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth.

Horsham’s St Brigid’s College teacher Tamika Burdett organised the event, attended by 450 year nine, 10 and 11 students from St Brigid’s, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Nhill and Warracknabeal secondary colleges.

“I went to it a couple of years ago when they were here and knew it was something that should come back, so I organised it with our welfare staff member Bridie Hutchinson,” she said.

PARTY is an initiative of the National Trauma Research Institute and has been running at The Alfred since 2009. 

The dynamic and interactive injury awareness and prevention program was established in 1986 by an emergency nurse in Canada and now PARTY operates worldwide, using true stories and experiences to show the impact of injury.

Program presenters come from a broad range of clinical qualifications and specialties including pre-hospital services, medical, nursing, allied health, researchers and guest speakers. 

They contribute to the program as a way of reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with trauma in youth, while paramedics present information about how to recognise and respond to health emergencies and look after their friends if they cannot look after themselves.

“We had Victoria Police’s highway patrol, paramedics and Casey Kosch from Horsham, with a team from The Alfred – trauma nurses Sue and Paul, trauma physiotherapist Ben, and burns nurse Emma,” Ms Burdett said.

“It was a great opportunity to get highly qualified people to talk to students to show them what can happen if you make the wrong choices.

“Road accident survivor Jacob Fry also spoke – he was filmed at The Alfred for an emergency medical television show, and that clip was shown to the students. 

“They were asked how they thought he was now, and they didn’t think he would be doing too well.

“Then he walked out on stage. It was so powerful.”

Ms Burdett said Mr Fry gave strong messages about making the right choice.

“He said split-second decisions can be life-changing,” Ms Burdett said.

“He spoke about the decisions that can impact not only you, but the people around you – the students were captivated.

“Really, the take-home message was to think before you act.”

Westwind Energy sponsored the event, along with Horsham Rural City Council and Horsham Town Hall.

“We have had some great feedback from parents, and that’s what we want.  If it creates conversations at home, we’re on a win,” Ms Burdett said.

She said PARTY would return to Horsham in two years to again deliver to secondary students. 

For more information about PARTY and resources from emergency services, people can visit www.partyalfred.org. 

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