60 Minutes Australia: The unthinkable (2017)

This Sunday marks a desperately sad anniversary for Ralph and Kathy Kelly. It will be five years since their beautiful 18-year-old son Thomas died after being punched in a coward attack. For the Kellys, it’s been five years of turmoil and trauma. After the horror of their son’s death, Ralph and Kathy wanted some good to happen so they campaigned to change drinking laws in Sydney. There was an immediate and dramatic reduction in alcohol-fuelled violence. But not everyone agreed with the new regulations and the family found themselves a target for sustained and cruel abuse. Then last year, their other son, Stuart, Thomas’s little brother, committed suicide. Once again they were forced to make sense of the unthinkable. On 60 MINUTES, Ralph and Kathy Kelly speak publicly about their loss for the first time and tell Allison Langdon how they firmly believe that had Thomas not been killed, Stuart would still be alive. For the Kelly family the ripple effect of “one punch” goes on but their courage is as remarkable as their resolve to continue helping others. And with the help of the National Rugby League, they are doing just that. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Nick Greenaway