JACK'S LEGACY: We changed the law for our boy

Belinda lost her beautiful son, now she's on a mission to save other kids

- Lisa Brookman

Belinda Beasley, 51, Parkwood, Qld

Infectious laughter echoed around the house. My son Jack, 17, was so excited about schoolies.

He'd just graduated from high school and, when he wasn't working hard as a flooring apprentice, he was out with friends on the Gold Coast where we lived.

My boy, known to everyone as Jacko, was bursting with life. But my husband Brett, then 49, sat him down in November 2019 before schoolies.

'Surfers Paradise isn't like it used to be. People carry knives,' Brett said, having seen horror stories in the news. 'Just walk the other way if there's trouble.' 'Okay Dad,' Jack said.

We were relieved when schoolies passed without any trouble.

As dark clouds gathered on Friday, December 13, I rang Jack while I was on the train home from work. "There's a storm coming, be careful,' I said.

'I won't be late,' he said. 'Love you.' Eating dinner with Brett that night, I imagined Jack travelling by tram to Surfers, then having fun with friends. But as my phone rang at 8.30pm, I heard chilling words.

'Something's happened to Jack,' my friend said.

I was horrified to discover Jack was in hospital. In terror, I grabbed my car keys and flew out the door without saying a word to Brett, and drove in a daze to Gold Coast University Hospital.

'Where's my son Jack?" I cried. 'Can you sit down for me?' a nurse said.

'Just tell me Jack's okay,' I said desperately.

But she didn't. When Brett arrived, we both sat reeling in shock. He'd also received a call with the horrifying news.

'Jack's been stabbed. He's in surgery,' the nurse told us.

Jack's big brother, Mitch, then 21, joined us, distraught.