As appears in the Bayside Bulletin, December 5 2011
THREE bus stops in Redlands are playing their part in keeping kids in the area safe and “chilled out” over the Christmas party season.
The large black-and-red posters, showing a clenched fist with the slogan Walk Away, Chill Out, were the brainchild of Paul Stanley.
Mr Stanley is the father of teenager Matthew, who died after being punched at a birthday party in Alexandra Hills in September 2006.
After his son’s death, Mr Stanley set up the Matthew Stanley Foundation in an effort to teach teenagers how to deal with conflict.
Mr Stanley said he wanted the posters to go at bus stops, where children and tourists would congregate, to get the message out to kids about the dangers of fighting.
He chose one of Matthew’s friends Jordan Rankin, who plays halfback for the Gold Coast Titans, to become a WACO ambassador.
“Jordan is 20 years old and was the second youngest person to play first-grade rugby league at the age of 16,” Mr Stanley said.
“He played touch against Matty and became a good friend.
“Jordy and I have worked closely over the past five years and he is a great role model for our youth,” Mr Stanley said.
Redland City Council had liked Mr Stanley’s idea so much, it bought the signs and got them made up at a Cleveland printers.
The signs were put up at the bus stop opposite Victoria Point State High School on Cleveland Redland Bay Road on Monday.
Another sign was erected in Middle Street, Cleveland, and the third sign is opposite the BP service station on Birkdale Road at Wellington Point.
“I reall wanted kids over the Christmas period to take notice of our WACO slogan, which stands for Walk Away Chill Out,” Mr Stanley said.
“Councillors loved the idea and some even said they would wear a t-shirt with our slogan on it to the last full council meeting of the year.
“Some of the councillors are also going to put our stickers on their cars, so the message is spread as far as possible,” Mr Stanley said.
The signs have been so popular, even Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has expressed interest in visiting Redlands to check them out.
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