DANI VOLKE
Bayside Bulletin
15 Feb, 2010 04:04 PM
THE tragic death of popular Thornlands teenager Matthew Stanley at a party in 2006 has been re-enacted in a film aimed at reinforcing the ”one punch can kill” anti-youth violence message.

Matthew died after being assaulted at a party in Alexandra Hills in September 2006.

This senseless act of violence robbed a family of a son and was the catalyst for the establishment of the Matthew Stanley Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of youth violence and prevent similar tragedies

Matthew’s father and anti-violence campaigner, Paul Stanley, said the film, One Punch Did Kill, would premiere later this month.

Produced by Ian MacAuslane, Neil Doorley and Kate Comino and made with the help of some of Matthew’s friends, it re-enacts the day he died.

Matthew’s friends Michael Fry, Kate Smithson, Joel Maher and Leigh Drennan said they found it “tough and emotionally charging”.

“I have known the Stanleys since I was very young and when Paul asked me to be in the film I wanted to support them,” Kate said.

“The day we were shooting was the anniversary of Matt’s death. We thought it would be hard as we are not actors, but we were re-enacting the same story that happened to us and it just felt very real.”

The film was funded by the East Leagues Club, as part of a $21,175 grant the Matthew Stanley Foundation received last year.

The story of how Matthew died is told by Paul regularly when he visits high schools across South East Queensland to raise awarenes of youth violence.

Paul said the re-enactment of the day Matthew died, was not the first idea for the film.

“The foundation discussed an educational DVD to show in schools to help tell the story.

“Originally the idea was to film one of the presentations and play that, but it wasn’t working ? you couldn’t really get the involvement of the younger people ? so we tried something else and got together with a couple of people and came up with a proposal,” Paul said.

“My wife’s brother, Ian MacAuslane, is a freelance cameraman based in Brisbane and I asked him if he would be interested in pointing the camera at us.

“The kids themselves did what they could possibly do, I wasn’t allowed in the ward when they were filming.

“I feel the film will be able to be used in schools and other places to promote the campaign. Emotionally, it’s hard getting up in front of a room full of young people and all at the age that Matty was, I feel that I am losing a bit of the emotion that needs to go into it,” Paul said.

The film is due to premiere for invited guests only at the East Leagues Club in Coorparoo on Tuesday, February 23.

“What we are trying to get across to people is it can and does happen to real people. Everybody can be affected by youth violence,” Paul said.

The film is expected to be available to schools later in the year.