Funeral of Cameron Duce, 22, as family plea for safety change on Gold Coast

The death of a young alleged assault victim on the Gold Coast has become an election issue, as his shattered family prepares to farewell him.

The family of Cameron Duce delivering a statement at the Gold Coast District police headquarters in Surfers Paradise. Picture: QPS.

The death of a young alleged assault victim on the Gold Coast has become an election issue, as his shattered family prepares to farewell him at a funeral on Wednesday.

Cameron Duce, 22, died in Gold Coast University Hospital last month, a week after he was allegedly brutally assaulted after a night out at Burleigh Heads.

A Gold Coast teenager, 18-year-old Austin Ballard, was charged with unlawful striking causing death over the tragedy. He was granted bail in Southport Magistrates Court and will reappear on November 5.

Cameron’s family has launched a #justice4cam campaign and held talks with outgoing Burleigh MP Michael Hart and his would-be LNP successor Hermann Vorster about improving community safety in Burleigh.

A lack of CCTV in the popular beachside suburb was blamed by police for delays in apprehending Cameron’s alleged attacker.

Cameron Duce, who died after an alleged assault in Burleigh on September 22.

Mr Vorster, a former Gold Coast City councillor, has unveiled a $4.1m “community safety plan” for Burleigh, including a new police station, more CCTV cameras and a local liquor accord to try to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.

Posting on social media, Cameron’s father, Chris, said he had met with Mr Vorster for guidance on a council petition “around preventing this sort of violence” and also to discuss a possible memorial to his son.

Mr Duce said he had also met with Gold Coast detectives working on the case, who had told him it could take up to two years to progress through the courts.

“We all have to be patient,” he said.

“They are still collecting evidence because they want to have as much evidence as possible. It isn’t too late for anyone to make a statement or just tell the police anything they might have seen before, during or after the alleged assault.

The family of Cameron Duce delivering a statement at the Gold Coast District police headquarters in Surfers Paradise. Picture: QPS.

“The detectives have been working very hard, and they are a committed group who want to make sure #justice4cam prevails, so please be helpful and support them in any way with their inquiries.”

Cameron’s funeral is being held at 11am on Wednesday at Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang.

A candlelight vigil is also planned for John Laws Park at Burleigh at 7pm on Sunday.

“Because of Cam’s welcoming, soft hearted fun loving personality we know there are many friends and people in the community that may not know his family personally but are struggling with the loss of such a beautiful soul,” Mr Duce posted.

“We felt a silent, peaceful torch light vigil will bring everyone together, while allowing the community to show their love and support to family and friends and honour Cam at a place he loved.

“Cameron, you were taken from a world that needed more hearts like yours too soon. But you will always be in the hearts and thoughts of all that were privileged to have known you.”

Originally published as Funeral of Cameron Duce, 22, as family plea for safety change on Gold Coast