School leavers across Australia are being urged to take extra precautions as they prepare to celebrate overseas, following a tragic incident last year that claimed the lives of six young tourists—including two Melbourne teenagers—due to methanol poisoning in Laos. The campaign, led by DrinkWise and Smart Traveller, is a direct response to the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both just 19, who were among those who fatally consumed tainted alcohol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in November 2024.
For the families of Bianca and Holly, the pain remains raw and the search for justice is ongoing. "It's very raw, very upsetting, but we've got to do this for the greater good," Michelle Jones, Bianca's mother, said, as reported by 9News. The mothers of the two Melbourne teens, Michelle Jones and Samantha Morton, have become vocal advocates for increased awareness and safety among young travelers, hoping that their tragedy can serve as a warning to others.
The campaign, timed to coincide with the key schoolies travel date of November 29, 2025, will see representatives at international airport terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, distributing safety advice directly to departing school leavers. According to DrinkWise, the initiative doesn’t stop at the airport gates. Targeted advertisements and safety messages will be sent to teenagers’ phones as soon as they arrive at Australian airports, and in-flight video messages will be played on international Jetstar flights. "DrinkWise research shows school-leavers are making safer choices at schoolies, but timely reminders remain critical. This is real, issues like methanol poisoning are real," said DrinkWise chief executive Simon Strahan, as quoted by 9News.
The deaths of Bianca and Holly have brought the dangers of methanol-laced alcohol into sharp focus. Methanol, a colorless industrial chemical commonly found in products like antifreeze and paint thinners, can be lethal even in small quantities. The two teens were traveling through Southeast Asia when they were served methanol-tainted alcohol as "free drinks" at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. Bianca died on November 21, 2024, and Holly passed away a day later in a Thai hospital, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.
But the tragedy extends beyond the personal loss experienced by the families. As the anniversary of the incident passes, frustration and anger have mounted over the lack of accountability. "No family should ever have to go through this. To date, no individual or organisation has been held accountable," Mark and Michelle Jones told The Daily Telegraph. "[Bianca’s] killers remain free, facing no consequences. With little to no information coming from the Laotian authorities to the families or their governments, it appears these deaths of innocent young women may be forgotten, brushed aside, and left unresolved. We must have justice. At the very least, they deserve that."
The sense of injustice is compounded by reports that Laotian authorities have refused assistance from the Australian Federal Police, who have officers based in the region and have repeatedly offered their support. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been vocal in demanding answers, stating that she has reached out to Laotian representatives 50 times without receiving a response. "We continue to offer AFP assistance, we've reiterated that offering including yesterday," Wong said, as cited by 9News. She has made it clear to the Laotian Government that there must be full accountability, yet as of November 18, 2025, no one has been charged in connection with the deaths.
The families' calls for justice have grown louder amid claims of a police cover-up and corruption. There have been unconfirmed allegations that local police in Laos accepted bribes and instructed hostel workers to leave after the incident, further fueling suspicions of a lack of genuine investigation. Holly’s parents, Shaun Bowles and Samantha Morton, have gone so far as to warn other Australians against traveling to Laos, citing their experience with what they describe as a corrupt and unhelpful government. "Your life is worth nothing over there, and we have seen this firsthand, as well as other families that have been involved in this tragedy," they told New Idea. "We recognise how corrupt and unhelpful the Laos Government [is], there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest there is any type of investigation going on."
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the families are also questioning the broader relationship between Australia and Laos. With Australia’s foreign aid to Laos estimated at $55.1 million this year, Holly’s parents are demanding transparency and accountability regarding how this aid is being used, especially in light of the government’s inaction following the deaths of Australian citizens. At the time of reporting, the Laos Ambassador to Australia had not responded to queries from New Idea regarding the investigation or the use of foreign aid.
As the schoolies season approaches, authorities and advocacy groups are urging parents and young travelers to have open conversations about the risks of consuming alcohol abroad. Samantha Morton, Holly’s mother, emphasized the importance of preparation: "Be aware of the dangers, have a plan, talk to your children, make sure they do know what to do when they do get sick, it's only going to help save lives," she said, as quoted by 9News.
The campaign by DrinkWise and Smart Traveller is designed not just to inform, but to empower school leavers to make safer choices. The hope is that by providing information at every stage of the journey—from the airport to the airplane—young Australians will be better equipped to recognize and avoid potentially deadly situations. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that while many school leavers are increasingly cautious, the dangers posed by tainted alcohol in some overseas destinations remain very real.
For the families of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, the pain of their loss is matched only by their determination to prevent similar tragedies. Their advocacy has already prompted a national conversation about travel safety and accountability for crimes committed against Australians abroad. Yet, as the anniversary of the Laos poisonings passes, their search for answers—and for justice—continues.
With new safety campaigns rolling out and mounting pressure on both Australian and Laotian authorities, the hope is that the memory of Bianca and Holly will serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring that no other family has to endure such a heartbreaking loss.
