1 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

Foreword – President
Debbie Lawler
2013-2014 – another year of achievements and
unfortunately, we welcomed 316 new family
members to our group. There were 47 precious
lives stolen and once again, the Queensland
Police Service has worked tirelessly alongside of
us in charging 89 perpetrators. We have
supported and cared for over 1395 family
members.
Thompson who once again, has worked far and
above what is required of him so he can
continue to spread the word of “Once Punch
Can Kill ” (OPCK). Aside from being General
Manager of our organisation and the usual tasks
and responsibilities that come with that
position, Ross has spoken to over 82,000
students and young people in 87 schools and
2013-2014 was my ninth year on the Board and
the seventh as President and each year, as I
meet new people who have lost a loved one to
homicide, I am encouraged to keep going. Next
year will be our 20 th anniversary year and we
have quite a few events planned and I am really
looking forward to being a part of that.
The Board of Management, through most of
2014, consisted of five other members who
worked alongside me - Geoff Sheldon
(Secretary), Marie Newell (Treasurer) and
general members, Helen Wallace, Scott Furlong
and Tracy Johnston. With such a small number
on the Board, it was a very full on year with each
of us having to take on quite a bit more work
and meet more often. I want to thank each one
of you for being so willing to put your hands up
and be so involved with this organisation as you
have been. We’re looking forward to having
double the number next year, which will lighten
the load considerably, especially with more
regional representation.
youth groups throughout the State and has
been to meetings interstate with very
interested parties. There have been many
government meetings, reading material, writing
submissions with his right hand man, Simon
Turner, which has led to our education program
now being written into the Year 11 and 12
curriculums and hopefully, funding for the
program can go full time with dedicated staff to
the campaign itself.
The one punch death of Bruce Steensen, who
was President of Queensland Masters
Australian Football League (AFL), brought
incredible support, both financially and from an
educational and awareness perspective, from
state and national AFL teams. We now have 8
At this time, I also want to make special clubs who wear the OPCK logo on their jerseys.
mention of our General Manager, Ross
7 Annual Report 2013 - 2014