Anti Violence Motto Spreads

Helping Hand … Katey Comino, Paul Stanley & Sharna McLean General Manager Easts Leagues Club

Anti-violence motto spreads

The Easts Leagues Foundation Community Benefit Fund last month handed a $21,175 grant to the Matthew Stanley Foundation to provide a professional media presentation that will be shown at foundation information sessions at public and private schools, community groups and community events.
Matthew Stanley, 15, was punched and killed outside a teenage party at Alexandra Hills in late 2006. Since that tragic incident, Mr Stanley, of Thornlands, has campaigned tirelessly in a bid to keep his son’s memory alive and to teach people that one punch can kill.
Matthew Stanley Foundation representative Katey Comino said the community was impressed with the Matthew Stanley Foundation’s youth safety initiatives.

 “The foundation lives its message with its volunteer youth members organising awareness events, delivering many sessions and contributing to youth forums,” she said.

 “The foundation has participated in the Queensland Government’s Youth Violence Taskforce and has given significant energy to the Queensland Police Party Safe program.

 “Funds from the Easts Leagues Foundation Community Benefit Fund will be devoted to establishing a professionally created media presentation and DVD program that will extend the foundation’s reach and potential to impact throughout Queensland and interstate.”

 Matthew Stanley’s father Paul said the significant contribution was “absolutely fantastic”.

“It’s great support from the club and it will allow us to promote the foundation’s message,” he said.

 “I want to acknowledge the Easts Leagues Club and every member of the club as a contributor, not only in community safety right now but in the young people that will guide our future.”

 Information on the foundation and the work of it volunteers can be found at www.matthewstanleyfound ation.com.au

Testimonial

QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE
Crime Prevention Unit
Mackay Police Station
57 -59 Sydney St, Mackay Q 4740
P.O. Box 261, Mackay Q 4740
TELEPHONE (07) 4968 3572    FACSIMILE (07) 4968 3592
Email: Waters-Marsh.RonaldCa@police.qld.gov.au

Date: 18/08/09

Paul Stanley
c/o – www.matthewstanleyfoundation.com.au
Paul Stanley Testimonial.

Dear Paul
I am proud to provide a testimonial regarding the effectiveness of the presentations provided by yourself in relation to youth violence.

Prior to our campaign in the Mackay district in August 2009 I had seen your presentation twice. The first time was for the ‘Youth Violence Symposium’ in July 2008 in Brisbane. At this time the auditorium was full of International and Australian academics as well as human services industry workers. Not a word was spoken during the presentation and some of the most hardened industry workers were moved to tears. Early in 2009 I saw a presentation by you to a group of Grade 9 – 10 Bowen High School students, similarly silent and completely engaged.

It was as a result of the content of your presentation and the overwhelming impact it has on its audience that we, (Mackay Youth Support Services) and Mackay Police District, decided to invite you to talk to our district high school students in August 2009.

In conjunction with Qld Police officers and Qld Ambulance officers across the Mackay District we addressed over 3200 students in 9 high schools. The impact on students, teachers, police and ambulance officers was overpowering. In my extensive involvement in working with youth, (20 years+) I have never seen youth so engaged in a presentation. Comments from Police, Ambulance officers and teachers that attended request involvement in any further campaigns in the future and wholeheartedly support the message and your delivery of it.
Paul, I am proud to have worked along side you in the delivery of this message and support your work with youth violence prevention and reduction. Please contact me if I am able to assist with any further campaigns and I look forward to working with you protecting our youth, in the future.

Yours sincerely
Ron Waters-Marsh. Bsc App’ Psych.
Senior Community Crime Prevention Officer
Mackay District Office
57 – 59 Sydney St
Mackay Q 4740