Hamill to speak on his brother's torture, death

Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill will visit Masterton next month to speak ahead of the film, Brother Number One.

Mr Hamill will give a personal account of his travels to Cambodia to discover the story behind the torture and death of his brother, Kerry Hamill, by the Khmer Rouge.

Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council manager Sandy Ryan said Mr Hamill was visiting at the council's invitation.

"We decided to run a New Zealand film as part of our Volunteer Recognition evening," she said.

After choosing Brother Number One, she called the director who suggested Mr Hamill might come down and give a presentation.

The acclaimed documentary explores the genocide, examining how and why nearly two million Cambodians could be killed by a fanatical regime.

Mrs Ryan said the value of having Mr Hamill tell his personal story adds background to the movie, but also gives us the framework for the current situation in Cambodia.

The documentary will screen on December 7, after Mr Hamill's talk at 6pm. Tickets are on sale at Wairarapa Reap House for $7 per person.