One-punch victim Daniel Christie farewelled at Sydney funeral
ABC
January 17,2014
Family and friends of Kings Cross assault victim Daniel Christie have farewelled him at a funeral service in Sydney.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce was among the mourners who attended the service for the 18-year-old at the Hillsong Church in Sydney's Baulkham Hills.
The teenager's family switched off his life support last week, 11 days after he was knocked unconscious by a single punch in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.
His family paid tribute to him as "caring, exceptional" and "a beacon of morality with a heart of gold".
"I cannot adequately express the joy I've experienced being Daniel's mother," Maureen Christie told the service.
Daniel's father, Michael Christie, said his son was a beautiful young man whose death was "inexplicable".
"I'm very proud of this summary I wrote on his resume: Daniel has an impressive physical presence. He's well spoken and presents well with good language skills. These physical attributes support a mature respect for others and himself, honesty, integrity and a good work ethic," he said.
"He was very embarrassed by me writing so glowingly about him. I told him, 'It was only the truth' and [that], after a minute or so, anyone would understand that every word written there was true."
Mr Christie urged politicians to take action on alcohol-fuelled violence.
"It's up to our elected members to set frameworks and guidelines to stop this insanity," he said.
"If change is to be, it's up to each and every one of us."
Ms Bryce said there was "no place for gratuitous violence" in Australia.
"The whole of our country joins in giving our deepest sympathy to Mr and Mrs Christie in the devastating of the circumstances that led to the death of their very precious son, Daniel," she said.
Members of the Christie Family embrace and console each other
outside the Hillsong Church
A private cremation and wake will be held after the service.
New South Wales premier Barry O'Farrell said it would not be appropriate for him to attend as it could politicise the event.
Mr Christie's family have spoken out about the term "king hit" and say the term "coward punch" is more appropriate.
They have called for changes so that people can go out "without experiencing mindless violence".
The man accused of assaulting Mr Christie, 25-year-old builder Shaun McNeill, has been charged with murder and has been refused bail.
Daniel Christie's death has renewed pressure on the New South Wales Government to take tougher action on alcohol-fuelled violence.
The Bureau of Crime Statistics says that while the number of assaults inside licensed premises in Kings Cross has dropped by 20 per cent since 2008, the number of assaults outside licensed premises has not changed.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has added his voice to the debate, calling attacks such as that on Mr Christie "appalling".
"I am appalled by what seems to be happening in certain trouble spots here in this great city of ours," he said.
He said he is concerned by the binge-drinking culture among young people.
