As Manager of Road Trauma Support WA and a registered psychologist, I recently had the privilege of attending the Australasian Road Safety Conference—an inspiring gathering of professionals, advocates, and researchers united by a shared mission: to reduce road trauma and save lives.
This year, I was honoured to be nominated to the Scientific Advisory Committee and selected as a judge for the award recognising the Best Submission with Implications for Improving Road Safety for Children. I shared this responsibility with Michelle McLaughlin, CEO and co-founder of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation; a woman whose personal story and tireless advocacy have profoundly shaped child pedestrian safety across Australia.
Michelle’s journey began with unimaginable tragedy. In 2014, her beloved son Thomas (Tom) McLaughlin was just four years old when he was struck and killed by a vehicle while on a family holiday. From this heartbreak, Michelle and her family created the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing child pedestrian fatalities. Their vision is bold and unwavering: zero child pedestrian deaths on Australian roads.
The Foundation’s work is both practical and powerful. Since its inception, it has partnered with 76 Local Government Areas to install child-focused road safety signage and deliver education campaigns that empower parents, caregivers, and communities to protect our youngest road users. Their “Holiday Time” campaign is especially impactful, reminding families to remain vigilant during travel periods when children are at greater risk.
Michelle’s presence at the conference was a poignant reminder of why we do this work. Her courage in transforming grief into advocacy is nothing short of extraordinary. Judging alongside her was a deeply moving experience, one that reinforced the importance of evidence-based strategies and community engagement in protecting children on our roads.
At Road Trauma Support WA, we stand in solidarity with organisations like the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation. We know that behind every statistic is a story, a family, a future lost. And we believe that through collaboration, education, and compassion, we can honour those stories and build a safer world for all.
To learn more about the Foundation and support their mission, visit www.littlebluedinosaur.org.
