campaign aims to end violence
Camera Iconcampaign aims to end violence Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Safety message packs a punch

Staff ReporterComment News

Southern River MLA Peter Abetz has sponsored distribution of Be Smart, Don’t Start: One Punch Kills bar mats and coasters to local pubs such as the Last Drop Brewery to support Kerry Kistemaker’s quest to flood Australia with the message.

Four years ago, her son’s friend, 17-year-old Cameron Lowe, died after being punched in an unprovoked street attack.

Ms Kistemaker said her son had Asperger’s Syndrome and had struggled with relationships during his teens.

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‘He has really struggled with the loss of his friend,’ she said.

‘He hasn’t coped very well ” it’s still difficult for him.’

Ms Kistemaker said she had pushed for action on alcohol-fuelled violence soon after Cameron’s death.

‘It was all a bit too much for his family,’ she said.

‘But as the third anniversary passed I couldn’t see anything changing, nothing proactive was happening.’

She set up One Punch Campaign Australia, an education campaign with a patriotic theme.

Many pubs and sporting clubs across Australia now display the bar mats and coasters.

T-shirts, coasters, stubby holders, mugs, keyrings and stickers are also available for sale.

Ms Kistemaker said not one pub owner had refused her requests.

‘It has been well embraced ‘