Daniel Morcombe’s twin brother in chilling new documentary
Daniel Morcombe’s story is known throughout Australia. But no one has told it like his twin brother Bradley, until now.
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Daniel Morcombe’s story is known throughout Australia, even around the world.
But no one can tell it like his twin brother Bradley, who remembers Daniel, then 13, going to a Sunshine Coast shopping centre for Christmas presents for his family on December 7, 2003.
“He told us he would be back soon. But Daniel didn’t know what else was coming,’’ Bradley says in a new documentary launched today as part of the 20th anniversary of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
“On that hot Sunday afternoon, trouble found Daniel,’’ Bradley says.
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. “We never saw him again.’’
“When the truth finally came it was worse than we ever imagined.’’
“After 8 years, Daniel wasn’t coming home.’’
The documentary, Don’t Waste It: The Daniel Morcombe Story, is not only a tribute to the legacy of the teenager in the red T-shirt whose story has helped millions of children learn about child safety, but a challenge for us all.
As Bruce Morcombe puts it, we can live our lives as victims, or we can turn our tragedies into powerful stories of change.
“We weren’t sitting there in our sorrow,’’ Mr Morcombe says.
“I can’t change what’s happened to Daniel but I can influence and change the future.’’
“I want everyone to stand tall and accept the challenge … Today is the day I tell my story.’’
“You are incredibly important. Don’t waste your pain. Tell somebody else.’’
Mrs Morcombe described the documentary as a powerful tribute to Daniel explaining why his legacy is so profound.
“We know this is unique. It dares to be different with its challenging storyline. That is precisely the point.’’
The documentary is being launched today to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation formed in 2005.
The foundation has become a national leader in promoting personal safety and supporting young victims of crime, carrying out thousands of hours of work in child safety education, prevention, and community engagement across Australia, many by Bruce and Denise Morcombe themselves.
DMF has distributed over 2 million child safety resources, conducted thousands of safety presentations, and engaged with children, parents, educators, and law enforcement agencies nationwide.
These efforts have helped raise awareness about personal safety, prevent child exploitation, and equip kids with the tools to protect themselves.
Mr Morcombe said to date they have raised over $20 million to allow the free rollout of awareness and education programs to schools.
Cake was cut to celebrate 20 years as the trailer of the film was played.
The Morcombes said they knew from the outset there was incredible interest in Daniel’s story and that they could turn that interest into initiatives to keep children safe through the establishment of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
This year, about 2 million Australians are expected to take part in Day for Daniel on October 31.
The Morcombes have plans for more books and resources in coming months.
“Thankfully today it is totally unacceptable to blame victims or smear them with shame,” said Mrs Morcombe.
“No longer can perpetrators of child sexual abuse hide behind the silence because after 20 years, we all get it. It is never a child’s fault.’’
The 30 minute documentary film will be premiered to an exclusive audience of supporters on Tuesday night and available to the public on Wednesday May 7 2025.
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