ONE Punch Campaign founder Kerry “Kez” Kistemaker visited the Bega Valley last week, dropping off one of the campaign’s beer mats at the Tathra Hotel.
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The beer mat that now sits beside the taps of the bottom bar at the Tathra pub is emblazoned with the message “Be Smart, Don’t Start, One Punch Kills” - a fact she and many others around Australia know far too well.
Cameron, a close friend of Ms Kistemaker’s son was king hit and died in Pakhenham, Melbourne, just over four years ago.
“They were just walking home after getting a burger,” she said.
The perpetrator had committed the same offence only a week earlier and after Cameron’s death spent less than six months in prison, she said.
“I started this campaign around the third anniversary of his death.”
Since then her Facebook page has picked up over 31,000 likes and she has handed out countless beer mats and shirts across Victoria and NSW.
“I want to create conversation,” Ms Kistemaker said.
“I’ve overheard people talk about it after seeing one by the bar.
“They are alcohol-fuelled incidents, which is why I visit the pubs,” she said.
From Drouin in Victoria, Ms Kistemaker has worked in hotels her whole life and witnessed many a violent altercation before the one punch that shattered her friends and family.
“Most cases you can’t speak about because it’s going through the courts,” she said.
“People don’t realise how many cases there are.
“New Year’s Eve has the highest rate of unprovoked hits.”
Her hard work has also attracted the attention of football clubs, boxing clubs, cricket clubs, kickboxing clubs and an umpires association so far.
For more information visit the One Punch Campaign Facebook page and visit onepunchcampaignaustralia.com for more detailed information.