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.

Gala sports auction night raises $34,000 for Stanley Foundation

A FOUNDATION dedicated to the battle gainst youth violence raised about $34,000 at  gala auction night at irromet Winery, Mt Cotton last week.

The Matthew Stanley Foundation was set up after the bashing death of 15-year-old sporting enthusiast Matthew Stanley outside a party at Alexandra Hills nearly two years ago.Dozens of donated items were put up for auction including a signed 2008 Queensland State of Origin jersey, a soccer ball signed by David Beckham and the
Manchester United team, a Broncos jersey signed by the 2008 premiership-winning team, and a Socceroos jersey. These four items sold for $4000 or more at auction. Many of the 141 guests also donated money.

Founder Paul Stanley said the new funds would allow the foundation to develop a
safety education plan and DVDs for distribution to schools. “I was so surprised at
the support we got – the amounts that were paid for some of the items were incredible,” he said.

The Foundation would like to acknowledge the Brisbane Times for allowing the reproduction of this article published in the Brisbane Times on May 5, 2008.
What would drag hundreds of young people inside a large sports complex to tackle the world’s largest Twister mat?

The chance to make their way into the Guinness Book of Records, that’s what.

This morning, more than 200 people did just that.

Twisted Events ’08 set out a twister mat 28.56 metres long and 9.48 metres wide inside the Hibiscus Sports Complex at Mt Gravatt.

That smashed the previous world record set in 2005, for the world’s largest-ever twister mat.

In 2005, the record was 27.1 metre by 8.43 metres, so Twisted Events ’08 smashed the 2005 record by more than a metre on all sides.

The event also raised money for the Matthew Stanley Foundation, set up to raise awareness of the stupidity of teen violence.

Redlands youngster Matthew Stanley was killed in September 2006 when he was punched outside a party.

Matthew’s father, Paul Stanley, was on hand today to talk to youngsters about the stupidity of teen violence.

The Twisted Events ’08 twister mat challenge is another in a long, line of community events where Mr Stanley gives young people an idea of what might happen after a senseless act of violence.

“The thing is we are generating an awful lot awareness,” he said.

“The thing about youth violence is that it can impact on anyone, whether they are a young person, or a grandmother. Everyone has a young person who could be affected.”

The Matthew Stanley Foundation has not courted contributions from the State Government, so it can keep a measure of control over how the money they raise is used.

Today there are t-shirts, wrist bands and information packs, produced using money donated from private businesses.

It has allowed Mr Stanley to work on this project full-time, with a work colleague helping run his business.

He has a realistic, long-term vision for the Matthew Stanley Foundation and spends a lot of time talking at Queensland schools.

“You can never stop the violence. All you can do is make a difference,” he said.

“All you can do is try to show young people the implications of what a single punch might be.

“It could end up like my son, with someone in the grave.”

Information from matthewstanleyfoundation.com.au or telephone 3821 6700.