This was published 5 years ago
Rites of Passage Past
As schoolies is canceled and year 12 students attempt to scrape together a covid-safe school formal, we reflect on the rites of passage of school leavers past. Gowns, glamour and celebrations at the end of an era, coming of age.<p> Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/photosSMH">SMH Twitter</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/theage_photo">AGE Twitter</a></p>
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Owen Wicks, foreground and friends at their hotel on the Gold Coast, 2004. Credit:Steve Holland
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Doonside Technology High School students, at their school formal at Le Montage, in Lilyfield, Sydney, 2014.Credit:Janie Barrett
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Schoolies from Engadine and Heathcote High Schools in NSW, Australia live it up at the Bounty Hotel, Kuta, 2012.Credit:Jason Childs
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Teenagers kiss on the streets of the Gold Coast during the Schoolies week, 2003.Credit:Kate Geraghty
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Year 12 students from Killara High School gather at Milsons Point before their formal at Luna Park, 2015.Credit:Wolter Peeters
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Schoolies lying in a line on the floor next to the pool and getting Midori poured in their mouths at the Skypool Hotel in Legian, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker.
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School students trying on outfits for their school formal at Alannah Hill shop at The Strand Arcade, 2000.Credit:Steven Siewert
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Schoolies in Bali are seen walking down an alley, near the main nightclubs in Legian, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker
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SPECIAL 10793 School Formals;151101;Sydney. SMH News story by Julia Baird. Photo by Peter Rae. Photo shows, year 12 students, L John Strada 17, Richie Philip 17,and Elias Bizannes17 Try on their formal wear at Grace Bros City store.Credit:Peter Rae
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What teens are wearing to their formals, 1991 - Tanya Mlcek, Olivia Korner, Layla Morris, Abigail Gresson, Stuart Mead. Credit:Steven Siewert/Fairfax Media
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Australian Schoolies in Bali dancing on the main street in Legian outside the Bounty nightclub, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker
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Madilein Butt of Avalon gets ready for her school formal, 1996.Credit:Rick Stevens
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Blakehurst High School graduation ball at Sydney Tower, 2000.Credit:Steven Siewert
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Schoolies in Bali, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker
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Schoolies Week in Surfers Paradise - sleeping it off on the Gold Coast beach, 1999.Credit:Angela Wylie
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Schoolies Week at Surfers Paradise - a group from SCEGGS Darlinghurst relaxing on the beach during their stay on the Gold Coast, 1992.Credit:Kylie Anee Pickett/Fairfax Media
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Schoolies in Bali getting a taxi through the main st in Legian, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker
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Sydney's school-leavers can get down to some serious partying, dressed for their school formal, 1989. Credit:Brendan Read
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Schoolies Week at Surfers Paradise - The Beergarden is the most popular haunt of the schoolies, 1992.Credit:Kylie Anee Pickett/Fairfax Media
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Schoolies in Bali - boys dancing at the Engine Room in Legian, 2014.Credit:Nic Walker