Northern Territory: The family of Dion Robbins, who tragically drowned, have spoken of their loss
The family of a little boy who drowned over the weekend in Palmerston has spoken of their profound heartbreak following the loss of their 'loving little boy', three-year-old Dion Robbins.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon when Dion, an adventurous and happy child, used a stool to reach the backyard pool latch and let himself in to retrieve some toys.
Around 3:30pm, he was found unresponsive in the water. Despite CPR efforts by family, paramedics and Northern Territory police, Dion was pronounced dead at the scene.
His aunty, Lizzie Robbins, shared her family's grief with the
NT News
.
'Dion was the most caring and loving little boy... any room he walked into, he made people smile and laugh,' she said.
'He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly. They were the two amigos — always getting into mischief together.'
Dion was just weeks away from celebrating his fourth birthday.
Sue Longstaff, another aunty of Dion's, has launched a
GoFundMe
campaign to help support the family during this devastating time.
'There are no words to describe the pain of his loss,' Ms Longstaff wrote.
'The family is understandably devastated and would be forever grateful for any support their local community might be in a position to provide so that little Dion can be laid to rest respectfully.'
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Palmerston, with the community fundraising over $4000 by Monday afternoon.
Ms Robbins extended her heartfelt thanks to those who have donated on behalf of Dion's parents, Chris Robbins and Amber Fennell.
'The family really appreciates the support they're getting at this trying time,' she said.
Dion's death comes amid alarming statistics on drowning in the Northern Territory.
According to Royal Life Saving Australia's 2024 report, the NT recorded the highest drowning rates per capita across both regional and metro areas in the country.
The Top End had the highest rate of any regional area — 6.06 per 100,000 — while Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield topped metro areas at 2.4 per 100,000.
While natural waterways account for the majority of drowning deaths in the NT, backyard pools still pose a significant danger to young children.
Since 2014, 28 per cent of the Territory's 68 drowning deaths have occurred in pools, with 37 per cent taking place in rivers and creeks.
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9 hours ago
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Northern Territory: The family of Dion Robbins, who tragically drowned, have spoken of their loss
The family of a little boy who drowned over the weekend in Palmerston has spoken of their profound heartbreak following the loss of their 'loving little boy', three-year-old Dion Robbins. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon when Dion, an adventurous and happy child, used a stool to reach the backyard pool latch and let himself in to retrieve some toys. Around 3:30pm, he was found unresponsive in the water. Despite CPR efforts by family, paramedics and Northern Territory police, Dion was pronounced dead at the scene. His aunty, Lizzie Robbins, shared her family's grief with the NT News . 'Dion was the most caring and loving little boy... any room he walked into, he made people smile and laugh,' she said. 'He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly. They were the two amigos — always getting into mischief together.' Dion was just weeks away from celebrating his fourth birthday. Sue Longstaff, another aunty of Dion's, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support the family during this devastating time. 'There are no words to describe the pain of his loss,' Ms Longstaff wrote. 'The family is understandably devastated and would be forever grateful for any support their local community might be in a position to provide so that little Dion can be laid to rest respectfully.' The tragedy sent shockwaves through Palmerston, with the community fundraising over $4000 by Monday afternoon. Ms Robbins extended her heartfelt thanks to those who have donated on behalf of Dion's parents, Chris Robbins and Amber Fennell. 'The family really appreciates the support they're getting at this trying time,' she said. Dion's death comes amid alarming statistics on drowning in the Northern Territory. According to Royal Life Saving Australia's 2024 report, the NT recorded the highest drowning rates per capita across both regional and metro areas in the country. The Top End had the highest rate of any regional area — 6.06 per 100,000 — while Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield topped metro areas at 2.4 per 100,000. While natural waterways account for the majority of drowning deaths in the NT, backyard pools still pose a significant danger to young children. Since 2014, 28 per cent of the Territory's 68 drowning deaths have occurred in pools, with 37 per cent taking place in rivers and creeks.
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‘No words for the pain': Family mourns 3yo, after tragedy
The family of a little boy who drowned over the weekend in Palmerston has spoken of their profound heartbreak following the loss of their 'loving little boy', three-year-old Dion Robbins. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon when Dion, an adventurous and happy child, used a stool to reach the backyard pool latch and let himself in to retrieve some toys. Around 3:30pm, he was found unresponsive in the water. Despite CPR efforts by family, paramedics and Northern Territory police, Dion was pronounced dead at the scene. His aunty, Lizzie Robbins, shared her family's grief with the NT News. 'Dion was the most caring and loving little boy... any room he walked into, he made people smile and laugh,' she said. 'He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly. They were the two amigos — always getting into mischief together.' Dion was just weeks away from celebrating his fourth birthday. Sue Longstaff, another aunty of Dion's, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support the family during this devastating time. 'There are no words to describe the pain of his loss,' Ms Longstaff wrote. 'The family is understandably devastated and would be forever grateful for any support their local community might be in a position to provide so that little Dion can be laid to rest respectfully.' The tragedy sent shockwaves through Palmerston, with the community fundraising over $4000 by Monday afternoon. Ms Robbins extended her heartfelt thanks to those who have donated on behalf of Dion's parents, Chris Robbins and Amber Fennell. 'The family really appreciates the support they're getting at this trying time,' she said. Dion's death comes amid alarming statistics on drowning in the Northern Territory. According to Royal Life Saving Australia's 2024 report, the NT recorded the highest drowning rates per capita across both regional and metro areas in the country. The Top End had the highest rate of any regional area — 6.06 per 100,000 — while Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield topped metro areas at 2.4 per 100,000. While natural waterways account for the majority of drowning deaths in the NT, backyard pools still pose a significant danger to young children. Since 2014, 28 per cent of the Territory's 68 drowning deaths have occurred in pools, with 37 per cent taking place in rivers and creeks.
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Macey Rashleigh is so bubbly, the nurses at John Hunter Hospital have been "fighting" over who gets to look after her. Macey, 9, is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove "a very large brain tumour", her dad, Rob Rashleigh, said. "It'll be at least a six-hour surgery to try to remove as much as they can." She is in good spirits and "keeping everyone entertained", as she prepares for the fight of her life. "We have a long road to recovery ahead after surgery," Rob said. Aunt Erin Healey started a GoFundMe, titled "Macey Rashleigh and family", to help ease the family's financial burden. "Watching the pain her parents are going through is a pain I wish upon no one," Erin said. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden, so her parents can be by her side through the healing process instead of going to work." Erin did not want them to have to "worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition". Macey has been in hospital for more than a week, after an MRI revealed the tumour. "It came out of left field. You'd meet her and think there's nothing wrong with her," Rob said. "She's an aspiring gymnast. Her goal is to be in the Olympics." Macey, a pupil at Wiripaang Public School in Gateshead, was diagnosed with one-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy this year. "Basically, the left side of her body is a bit weaker. That doesn't stop her from being in the gym," Rob said. "It's technically a disability, but she trains hard to grow her strength and technical ability." The tumour may have caused cerebral palsy-like symptoms, which she's had for a long time. Removing the tumour may help reverse them. "It's been ongoing since she was very young. When she started to learn to walk, she was walking into walls," Rob said. The family moved from Melbourne to Newcastle at the end of last year. "At first, they thought she had hip problems. The Victorian health system let us down," Rob said. "It wasn't until we got here to Newcastle that she was diagnosed. Straight away, they said she has cerebral palsy." Doctors ordered a brain scan to "see if they could find any scarring or lesions". "That's how this tumour was found. They're pretty confident it's not cancer, but won't know until they go in there to remove it. "A week after they remove it, they'll know what it is." Rob says Macey has "a very memorable personality". "All the nurses have been fighting over who gets to look after her," he said. "She makes friends with everyone she finds, and she's a very compassionate person. "She'll compliment you on your appearance and the way you dress. She's definitely not your typical nine-year-old." He attributed Macey's bubbly personality to her mum, Tiffany. "They are very similar. She's a very positive person who sees the best in everything," he said. Macey Rashleigh is so bubbly, the nurses at John Hunter Hospital have been "fighting" over who gets to look after her. Macey, 9, is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove "a very large brain tumour", her dad, Rob Rashleigh, said. "It'll be at least a six-hour surgery to try to remove as much as they can." She is in good spirits and "keeping everyone entertained", as she prepares for the fight of her life. "We have a long road to recovery ahead after surgery," Rob said. Aunt Erin Healey started a GoFundMe, titled "Macey Rashleigh and family", to help ease the family's financial burden. "Watching the pain her parents are going through is a pain I wish upon no one," Erin said. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden, so her parents can be by her side through the healing process instead of going to work." Erin did not want them to have to "worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition". Macey has been in hospital for more than a week, after an MRI revealed the tumour. "It came out of left field. You'd meet her and think there's nothing wrong with her," Rob said. "She's an aspiring gymnast. Her goal is to be in the Olympics." Macey, a pupil at Wiripaang Public School in Gateshead, was diagnosed with one-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy this year. "Basically, the left side of her body is a bit weaker. That doesn't stop her from being in the gym," Rob said. "It's technically a disability, but she trains hard to grow her strength and technical ability." The tumour may have caused cerebral palsy-like symptoms, which she's had for a long time. Removing the tumour may help reverse them. "It's been ongoing since she was very young. When she started to learn to walk, she was walking into walls," Rob said. The family moved from Melbourne to Newcastle at the end of last year. "At first, they thought she had hip problems. The Victorian health system let us down," Rob said. "It wasn't until we got here to Newcastle that she was diagnosed. Straight away, they said she has cerebral palsy." Doctors ordered a brain scan to "see if they could find any scarring or lesions". "That's how this tumour was found. They're pretty confident it's not cancer, but won't know until they go in there to remove it. "A week after they remove it, they'll know what it is." Rob says Macey has "a very memorable personality". "All the nurses have been fighting over who gets to look after her," he said. "She makes friends with everyone she finds, and she's a very compassionate person. "She'll compliment you on your appearance and the way you dress. She's definitely not your typical nine-year-old." He attributed Macey's bubbly personality to her mum, Tiffany. "They are very similar. She's a very positive person who sees the best in everything," he said. Macey Rashleigh is so bubbly, the nurses at John Hunter Hospital have been "fighting" over who gets to look after her. Macey, 9, is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove "a very large brain tumour", her dad, Rob Rashleigh, said. "It'll be at least a six-hour surgery to try to remove as much as they can." She is in good spirits and "keeping everyone entertained", as she prepares for the fight of her life. "We have a long road to recovery ahead after surgery," Rob said. Aunt Erin Healey started a GoFundMe, titled "Macey Rashleigh and family", to help ease the family's financial burden. "Watching the pain her parents are going through is a pain I wish upon no one," Erin said. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden, so her parents can be by her side through the healing process instead of going to work." Erin did not want them to have to "worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition". Macey has been in hospital for more than a week, after an MRI revealed the tumour. "It came out of left field. You'd meet her and think there's nothing wrong with her," Rob said. "She's an aspiring gymnast. Her goal is to be in the Olympics." Macey, a pupil at Wiripaang Public School in Gateshead, was diagnosed with one-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy this year. "Basically, the left side of her body is a bit weaker. That doesn't stop her from being in the gym," Rob said. "It's technically a disability, but she trains hard to grow her strength and technical ability." The tumour may have caused cerebral palsy-like symptoms, which she's had for a long time. Removing the tumour may help reverse them. "It's been ongoing since she was very young. When she started to learn to walk, she was walking into walls," Rob said. The family moved from Melbourne to Newcastle at the end of last year. "At first, they thought she had hip problems. The Victorian health system let us down," Rob said. "It wasn't until we got here to Newcastle that she was diagnosed. Straight away, they said she has cerebral palsy." Doctors ordered a brain scan to "see if they could find any scarring or lesions". "That's how this tumour was found. They're pretty confident it's not cancer, but won't know until they go in there to remove it. "A week after they remove it, they'll know what it is." Rob says Macey has "a very memorable personality". "All the nurses have been fighting over who gets to look after her," he said. "She makes friends with everyone she finds, and she's a very compassionate person. "She'll compliment you on your appearance and the way you dress. She's definitely not your typical nine-year-old." He attributed Macey's bubbly personality to her mum, Tiffany. "They are very similar. She's a very positive person who sees the best in everything," he said. Macey Rashleigh is so bubbly, the nurses at John Hunter Hospital have been "fighting" over who gets to look after her. Macey, 9, is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove "a very large brain tumour", her dad, Rob Rashleigh, said. "It'll be at least a six-hour surgery to try to remove as much as they can." She is in good spirits and "keeping everyone entertained", as she prepares for the fight of her life. "We have a long road to recovery ahead after surgery," Rob said. Aunt Erin Healey started a GoFundMe, titled "Macey Rashleigh and family", to help ease the family's financial burden. "Watching the pain her parents are going through is a pain I wish upon no one," Erin said. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden, so her parents can be by her side through the healing process instead of going to work." Erin did not want them to have to "worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition". Macey has been in hospital for more than a week, after an MRI revealed the tumour. "It came out of left field. You'd meet her and think there's nothing wrong with her," Rob said. "She's an aspiring gymnast. Her goal is to be in the Olympics." Macey, a pupil at Wiripaang Public School in Gateshead, was diagnosed with one-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy this year. "Basically, the left side of her body is a bit weaker. That doesn't stop her from being in the gym," Rob said. "It's technically a disability, but she trains hard to grow her strength and technical ability." The tumour may have caused cerebral palsy-like symptoms, which she's had for a long time. Removing the tumour may help reverse them. "It's been ongoing since she was very young. When she started to learn to walk, she was walking into walls," Rob said. The family moved from Melbourne to Newcastle at the end of last year. "At first, they thought she had hip problems. The Victorian health system let us down," Rob said. "It wasn't until we got here to Newcastle that she was diagnosed. Straight away, they said she has cerebral palsy." Doctors ordered a brain scan to "see if they could find any scarring or lesions". "That's how this tumour was found. They're pretty confident it's not cancer, but won't know until they go in there to remove it. "A week after they remove it, they'll know what it is." Rob says Macey has "a very memorable personality". "All the nurses have been fighting over who gets to look after her," he said. "She makes friends with everyone she finds, and she's a very compassionate person. "She'll compliment you on your appearance and the way you dress. She's definitely not your typical nine-year-old." He attributed Macey's bubbly personality to her mum, Tiffany. "They are very similar. She's a very positive person who sees the best in everything," he said.
