“Sheer grit and determination” drove slain frontline worker Steven Tougher to achieve his dream of becoming a clinical paramedic.

Now his grieving family is channeling that same iron will to push for mandatory sentencing for anyone who attacks an emergency service worker.

Steven was repeatedly stabbed in a fast food car park in 2023 while on night shift completing paperwork. He had been a clinical paramedic for just over a year.

“He was so very proud of becoming a paramedic,” says his father Jeff who is spearheading a campaign for mandatory jail terms for anyone who assaults a frontline worker.

“Steven had to overcome so many obstacles along the way to first become a nurse and then a paramedic, but he got over all the hurdles and he was so very happy to achieve his dream.”

Grit and determination are family traits, with Jeff and his wife Jill campaigning tirelessly to introduce “Steven’s Law” into legislation since their beloved son was killed.

Last year alone 562 paramedics were assaulted while simply doing their job.

“They are just the ones who report it, many more don’t,” says Jeff. “Assaults to frontline workers are much more common than people realise.”

The law change proposes a minimum 12-month jail term, suspended if the offender completes a rehabilitation program, and calls for all paramedics to be issued body worn cameras and stab vests.

Jeff and his family have visited ambulance stations across NSW, travelling as far south as Albury, and west to Orange, hearing horror stories of assault while paramedics are carrying out their life saving work.

“We did a five day road trip last year on the anniversary of Steve's death and we went from Wollongong to Albury in the south and up through the centre of NSW, visiting as many stations as possible,” says Jeff.

At each station the family hands out Steven’s Law stickers, which frontline workers place on their vehicles to highlight the need for law reform.

“I choose to make it my purpose to achieve something from what was a very tragic circumstance,” explains Jeff.

“Promoting awareness, pushing for better protection for frontline workers has helped me, helped my family, come to terms with what happened. We have decided to make a difference rather than just be damaged by it.”

Jeff admits law reform is a “big bucket to kick” but he refuses to give up.

“The wheels of politics move slowly,” says Jeff. “But the Attorney-General (Michael Daley) has just announced minimum sentencing for intimate partner homicide after a push by the mum of Mackenzie Anderson who was murdered by her ex. It will now attract a standard non-parole period of 25 years, so let's see what the government can come up with to protect frontline workers.

“Steven never gave up on his dream and we won’t give up on his legacy. He was the most compassionate person I know, he forced his way into becoming a nurse, used to do volunteer work in the ER at Shellharbour hospital, and spent years studying to be a paramedic only to find out he was colour blind. They were going to knock him back but he could still see red and green so he got over that hurdle.

"It was sheer grit and determination, nothing was going to stop him from achieving his dream. That’s what keeps us going, we want Steven’s law to be part of the vernacular.”

As a fresh-faced 17-year-old straight out of high school Steven convinced a private hospital to hire him as a trainee nurse. The health service didn’t have a traineeship program but after initially being knocked back for a job, Steven returned a week later with a business plan.

He got the job and was one of the first students in the Illawarra to complete a traineeship with Ramsay Health.

Then, after a successful career as a theatre nurse he decided to retrain, pursuing his passion to become a clinical paramedic. He overcame his colour blind hurdle, only to stumble during his final hurdle, the cardio test.

“He had almost talked himself out of it, convinced himself he had failed, that he wasn’t fit enough. But he wasn’t going to give up on his dream that easily. He went to his doctor and it turned out Steven misread the numbers.”

One of Jeff’s most treasured possessions is a photo of Steven, in his ambulance, on his first ever shift as a clinical paramedic.

“He showed up out the front with an enormous grin saying ‘come and check out my ambulance’. I’ll never forget that smile, he was a big fella, over six feet, but the biggest thing about him that day was his smile.”

On October 31 Kiama Golf Club will host the inaugural Emergency Services Day, dedicated to honoring Steven’s Law. Spots are still available for the four-person ambrose event, along with hole sponsorship.

Event organiser Stuart Miller, the golf club’s assistant groundskeeper and a life-long friend of Jeff, says the event will be held each year to recognise the work being carried out by emergency services workers, in what is often a thankless job.

“If we can do anything to make sure nothing like this ever happens again to a frontline worker, we will," says Stuart. “What these people do for their communities, day in and day out, is nothing short of amazing. We want to do everything in our power to keep them safe.”

Jeff will speak at the event about the family’s journey through grief, forgiveness and its push for change.

“These assaults are career ending and, in Steven’s case, life-ending,” says Jeff.

For more information about the emergency services golf day visit Kiama Golf Club’s Facebook page.