Mt St Michael's mourns Isabelle

Published: 2 December 2012
By: Robin Williams

THE Mt St Michael's College, Ashgrove community is in mourning after the tragic death of one of their 2012 graduating students.

Isabelle Colman, 17, died after falling from a high-rise balcony in Surfers Paradise about 9.30pm on November 22.

She was attending the 2012 Schoolies celebrations.

College principal Alison Terrey travelled to the Gold Coast on Friday, November 23, to support other 2012 graduates.

The Mt St Michael's community also gathered in prayer for Isabelle later that same day.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family and friends at this difficult time," Ms Terrey said.

Ms Terrey said Isabelle was an enthusiastic and much-loved member of the college community.

"She was a well-respected student and was particularly interested in drama and the creative arts," she said.

"She had been looking forward to furthering her studies in this area."

Counselling was offered to all Mt St Michael's College students and staff after the tragedy, with an opportunity for recent graduates to gather at the college planned for this week.

Schoolies Week co-ordinator for Rosies Youth Mission Cat Milton was one of several key personnel from Rosies, Drug Arm, Christian Youth Council, and Chill Out Zone offering counselling support to young people after the tragedy.

"Red Frogs (support program for young people) mobilised a significant number of volunteers to support schoolies," she said.

She said all groups worked quickly and seamlessly in establishing support.

"We got a counselling-type drop-in centre set up where any young person could drop in and receive support, and that ran throughout Friday (November 23)," she said.

Ms Milton said Rosies general manager Bob Boardman drove to the Gold Coast on November 23 to speak with the 40 Rosies volunteers working within the schoolies "Hub" and to offer them support.

"We had a counsellor on call for volunteers if they needed him," she said.