Since September 2010 Mrs Robertson has told how her son Nathan Pascoe, then 23, a mate were killed in a crash on the Coleraine-Edenhope road near Harrow in 2004.

Mrs Robertson, from Warrong, tells her story as part of the Warrnambool Road Trauma Awareness seminars.

The seminars are run by Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV), which teams with volunteers and emergency service personnel to help drink-drivers, unlicensed drivers and hoons address their behaviour and attitude.

She said she was still nervous before she spoke but the reason she continued to do it was because she never wanted anyone to go through her family’s experience.

“My stomach churns,” she said. 

“I’m more familiar with what I say but it’s still exposing your soul. It takes a lot of courage to do it.”

Mrs Robertson said the people who sat in the seminars were often young men who thought they were invincible.

“The people we speak to are drivers at risk,” she said.

“They’ve got a record already and convictions for driving offences.

“I see my son in their faces. They’re so young and so vulnerable. 

“They think they’re such good drivers.

“They think that they’re impressing their mates and having a good time. They can’t see the consequences.

“I usually say the best thing to come out of my talk is if I see you walking down the street in 10 or 20 years’ time.

“I’m brutally honest of what grief does to you.”

Mrs Robertson said sharing her story was a way to honour Nathan and his memory.

“Time goes on and you don’t always get a chance to talk about the person you’ve lost,” she said.

“It’s a way to help me feel like his death wasn’t in vain.

“It’s a way to make a difference to our road toll.

“It also helps you personally process what has happened. You’re allowed to be honest and allowed to vent. It’s an avenue you can do that.

“After a death, in Australian society in a very short time you’re expected to get over it and get on with your life.”

Mrs Robertson said she had no public speaking skills before volunteering and said (RTSSV) offered ongoing support and the seminars were held in small group settings.

Mrs Robertson is the main speaker for Warrnambool, with another volunteer available when she can’t attend.

She said it would be good to have a small pool of volunteers to draw from and lighten the load.

Last week RTSSV community educator and regional co-ordinator for Barwon South West, Andrina Mitchell, said those who shared their experiences were sometimes a driver who had been seriously injured or caused the death of another person. 

It could also be a family member or friend of someone injured or killed, or a cyclist, pedestrian or passenger injured in a road incident, she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering should email barwonsw@rtssv.org.au or phone 1300 367 797.