Bribie 4WD crash victim’s family campaign to save young lives

The grieving family of a teenager killed in a 4WD crash on Bribie Island last year have raised $20,000 for an awareness campaign. Their dream of a nationwide foundation comes as the driver of the 4WD was committed to the Brisbane District Court.

The teenage driver of a 4WD that allegedly rolled on Bribie Island’s Woorim Beach on May 30 last year, leading to the death of Harrison “Harry’’ Payne has had his case committed to Brisbane District Court.

In July, Beachmere’s Lynden Joshua Roby, 18, was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.

The matter was today (February 8) sent to the Brisbane District Court on a date to be fixed.

It comes as Harry’s grieving family have raised $20,000 for The Harry Payne Initiative (THPI), aiming to educate young people and raise awareness about driving on beaches.

Harry Payne in his Bunnings uniform.

They hope to go back to Woorim Beach as part of regular education campaigns for young people who flock to the area to test their driving skills.

Harry’s father Kent said the family hoped the initiative could become a national movement, much like the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Mr Payne said it was a lot of hard work by the family, including his wife Kylie and children Emily and Noah, but it had helped them cope with the loss of Harry, who died just 22 days after his 18th birthday.

While it had been a constant reminder seeing THPI bumper stickers around their Burpengary East home, it was also a comfort to know some good would come from the tragedy.

Emily said the family chose Strength For Change as the initiative’s motto because the aim was to give young people the strength to speak up.

Lynden Joshua Roby leaves Caboolture Magistrates last year.

“We wanted to design the logo around what he lived to do — weightlifting,’’ she said.

“But it’s also about the strength to speak up when young people go to the beach to speak up.

“There’s a massive emphasis on speeding and texting while driving, but nothing about driving on beaches.’’

More than 1000 bumper stickers with the number plate details of Harry’s car — HKP03, standing for Harry Kent Payne, born 2003 — have been sold.

The tuckshop at Harry’s old school, St Eugene’s, is also adorned with stickers.

World Gym Burpengary has the THPI logo emblazoned on its level three lift floor, as well as photos of him on its walls.

THPI bumper sticker.

“The stickers are a real conversation starter. We were over at Moreton Island and someone asked me about them, so I told him the story,’’ Mr Payne said.

“We want them to be a reminder.’’

He said the not-for-profit initiative — it is not allowed to be called a foundation — would also hopefully host education campaigns at Woorim Beach, with a gazebo and potentially a police presence.

The logo of The Harrison Payne Foundation.

Such was the esteem in which their son was held, his service attracted almost 1000 people and was the biggest ever non-religious funeral held at Burpengary Traditional Funerals.

The Paynes said they were very grateful to World Gym Burpengary owner Justin, who will be hosting a dead lift day fundraiser on May 7, the day before Harry’s birthday.

Mr Payne hoped it would raise another $5000.

The family has also set up a Facebook page, The Harrison Payne Initiative and Instagram page @The Harrison Payne Initiative.

Harrison Payne just before heading off for his high school formal.