In Tom Holloway's "Foreword" to "Beyond the Neck," he recounts where he was and what he was doing at the time of the Port Arthur Massacre, and the long-lasting effect on him is evident, "That first day will stay with me forever." Holloway's deep emotional attachment to the events of that day inspired him to write a play on it, especially because it was something that affected the entirety of Australia, "It was an event so tragic that people struggled even to talk about it. It was too big and too painful. For many, it still is. For me though it brought up things that I needed to share..." What made it even more difficult for Australia to cope and move on from the event was the media blackout on survivor's statements and testimonies during the trial of Martin Bryant. Due to this blackout, the Australian public was deprived of important information regarding the event and survivors were unable to tell their story, preventing healing. Therefore, the shock of Holloway's play was increased, as it broke the silence and began a remedial process for the survivors and the Australian public as a whole.