VIDEO: Bruce and Denise Morcombe: from the heart

Bruce and Denise Morcombe hope we will see less of them after 2015. But if you think they, and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, plan to fade away, think again.

BRUCE and Denise Morcombe hope Australians will see less of them after 2015.

But if you think they - and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation - plan to just fade away, think again.

They're both on a health kick and hope 2015 will produce a slimmer version of themselves.

They also hope to learn to say no a little more so they can focus on their key goals for foundation.

"If there is a space in our diary we tend to fill it,'' Denise says, admitting it creates too much pressure.

"We do run around Australia like the proverbial blowie,'' Bruce says.

But their passion and determination to push child safety remains just as strong in 2015 as it was in the horrible years after Daniel first disappeared in December, 2003.

2015 will again be a year of relentless visits to Australian schools, a year where they will use their enormous political and social media clout to push for a national child sex offenders' register and child safety curriculum in our schools.
 

Bruce and Denise Morcombe inspire Australians with their drive to ensure that no parents suffer the trauma caused by the disappearance of their young son Daniel.

In a few weeks' time, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation will send out 10,000 Keeping Kids Safe DVDs to schools across Australia. The DVD will be updated later this year with a new section catering for indigenous and special needs children.

The Morcombes last year won a commitment from the federal education minister for a child safety curriculum to be rolled out to schools.

More than 11 years on from the day Daniel disappeared, the couple remains amazed at the power of his story - and the generosity of ordinary Australians who continue to support the foundation's work.

"From the day after Daniel went missing, people were dropping food off to our house, wanting to give assistance, the SES were out searching for Daniel,  the police, the media, they were there (for us),'' Denise says.

"We had young children doing small fundraisers in their front yard, making lemonade or doing a sausage sizzle and sending us $9 or $10.''

"After Daniel was found, the foundation just grew with all these community people wanting to come on board and help.''

Their public recognition, however, is a double-edged sword.

They remain shy people and don't like the limelight at all. They enjoy just chilling out, watching TV, when they are home alone.

Denise admits she finds it hard with people continuing to come up to her at the shops and offer their sympathy for her loss. "People are good but sometimes you just want to have a bit of private time.''

"Privacy is something we have grown to manage,'' Bruce says.

"You are aware that people are always watching you so it does put a little bit of pressure on you. It's an odd thing.

"You just make sure you are adequately dressed,'' Bruce says.

"You got to put your trolley away too,'' Denise jokes.

"You couldn't have Denise Morcombe not putting her trolley away.''

But they know they have to continue to use their profile it to push the child safety message - not for Daniel - but for the children at risk of being targeted by predators.

And with the huge growth of social media, they see the battle only getting bigger in 2015.

Denise admits she is horrified at what young people are posting on Facebook, Snapchats and other apps.

She and Bruce know there are child sex offenders trawling in those same waters, looking to connect with their next target.

"Some of these kids are nine, 10, 11 years old and the parents have no idea what they are doing,'' Denise says, urging parents to visit the DMF site for safety tips.

Bruce said social media had also dramatically changed the way the foundation was able to get out its child safety message to hundreds of thousands of Australians.

But what has been even more surprising to them has been the interest in them as people.
 

A post about them going on holidays or the marriage of Daniel's twin brother Bradley can reach millions of people via Facebook.

"We have to be so careful what we put on (Facebook) because we have to be careful we have the time to go through the comments,'' Denise says.

"99.9% of people make a good comment but you just have to be really careful what you say.''

The Morcombes admit they are annoyed by comments that it is time for them to 'move on' with their lives.
They say the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, set up in 2005, was never about just Daniel.

"It's not about the search for Daniel and it has not been for many, many years,'' Denise says.

"The two main aims of the foundation is about educating children about child safety and we help a lot of child victims of crime.

"A lot of the people that make these comments don't know the background of the foundation or what we actually do.''

"If I do get someone on our Facebook account that I don't particularly like I just delete and ban them anyway,'' she laughs.

"These are faceless people,'' Bruce adds, urging anyone who has questions about where the money goes or what programs are being delivered to come and talk with them.

"The foundation is benefiting all children around the country - not just the wealthy ones, not just the tanned ones, everybody in Australia is equal and we are helping everybody.''

HIS RIGHT: Bruce and Denise Morcombe expected their son’s killer to appeal his murder conviction. Picture: LUKAS COCHAAP

ON DANIEL'S KILLER BRETT PETER COWAN

Bruce and Denise Morcombe both remain hopeful that Cowan will never see outside of a jail again, despite being given a 20 year sentence.

Given time served, Cowan could be released in less than 17 years, but will face continual reviews by the parole board.

"He's three and a half years into his minimum 20 years jail term, so he's got 16 and a half years to go,' Bruce says.

"His case would be reviewed by the relevant authorities that they would say no way hosay, come back and see us in a couple of years' time and that is ongoing.

"He is a person that has offended for 30 years. He's somebody you can't trust.''

"He's a shadow in the community, he's a danger to our children.''

"It's been proven in Daniel's case and other children's very damaging cases.''

"This is a man who has admitted to many dozens of crimes and he should never be let free.''

Bruce and Denise Morcombe with Premier Campbell Newman and his wife Lisa at the record-breaking 2014 Walk for Daniel. Picture: Warren Lynam

LOOKING BACK ON 2014

It started with the trial of Brett Peter Cowan in February, included visits to many schools, the production of a new child safety DVD and the marriage of their son Bradley to long-time girlfriend Anna.

More than 10 years on from Daniel's disappearance, the Morcombes had the biggest Day for Daniel ever with walks across the country. Daniel's Law was enacted in the Northern Territory to provide a public list of child sex offenders.

The Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum has been recommended to be rolled out across all schools in Australia.

Despite the turmoil the Morcombes have been through, the family remains as strong as ever with all six of them - Bruce, Denise, Dean, his partner, Bradley and Anna.

"We all get on remarkably well and life for the Morcombes is in a good, happy space,'' Bruce says.

"Since the verdict it has been a lot easier,'' Denise says.
 

>>RELATED: Bruce Morcombe "would invite son's killer over for dinner".
 

The Morcombes are looking forward to a fresh start in a new home they are building near the beach after selling their hinterland home.

"We are empty nesters. The home was a little too big with too much maintenance.

Being away for six months of the year visiting schools, Bruce and Denise said they found themselves spending too much time mowing and gardening when they were back home.

"We wanted a new beginning, a fresh start.

"We are building a house closer to the beach where we can fish and walk and enjoy the breezes.''

FINAL CHILD SAFETY ADVICE
 

• Recognise, react and report
   
• Trust your gut instinct - the butterflies in the stomach
   
• Remove yourself from danger, run, shut down the computer
   
• Report to police, teachers, parents or someone who you trust.
   
• "Reporting is the number one word,'' says Bruce.
   
• The Morcombes say child safety must be a whole of community response, not just a task for schools.
   

SUPPORT THE DANIEL MORCOMBE FOUNDATION

This piece is the first part of the series, From The Heart: Aussie Icons Speak Out from Australian Regional Media.

Tomorrow's edition will feature Wildlife Warriors Terri and Bindi Irwin, interviewed at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

From The Heart: Australian Icons Speak Out.