Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In May 2008, 17-year-old Sam Davis didn't come home after a night out. The beloved son of my dear friends Nat Cook and Neil Davis was killed in a one-punch attack. Sam was a keen sportsman, playing state soccer, cricket and netball before switching over to AFL—and he was good; he was recruited by the South Adelaide Football Club for next season. He had a wide group of friends and a loving family. All of this, the hopes, the dreams, the plans, came to an end with a random act of violence—17 years of age. Nat and Neil channelled their grief into making a difference, into tackling youth violence so other families would not have to feel their grief, and the Sammy D Foundation was born.

Sammy D's evidence based approaches focus on violence prevention through schools and sports clubs across South Australia, and last year they gave 228 presentations and 440 workshops. They reached 41,000 young South Australians through 123 schools and 39 sporting clubs in one year. And the work continues, to ensure that each new cohort of students gets the message that they can help keep themselves and their friends safe. No-one wants that knock on the door to tell you the worst news. I'd encourage listeners to have a look at their program online.

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