THE message might not have been as strong as all had wished but the coroner's findings into the deaths of Chase and Tyler Robinson finally provides some closure on a distressing tale.
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Chase and Tyler, aged eight and six, died three years ago after a faulty gas heater sent carbon monoxide levels skyrocketing inside a Mooroopna home their family was renting.
The findings yesterday will not force action on landlords to ensure heaters are serviced and nor did it suggest mandatory carbon monoxide detectors be installed.
However, the case, amid a background of devastating loss, has created greater understanding of the issues surrounding servicing of gas heaters.
The boys' mother, Vanessa Robinson, spent weeks in hospital recovering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and has ongoing health problems from the incident and she has since become the face of a statewide campaign to install carbon monoxide alarms and have gas heaters regularly checked.
Coroner Jacinta Heffey yesterday praised her for her efforts and called for more public awareness campaigning about the dangers of gas heaters and the need to have them regularly serviced.
"Most people in the community prior to this tragic event would not have had any idea of the danger represented by the combination of an unclean gas furnace and extractions fans," she said in her report.
Undoubtedly, in this sense, something positive has been achieved.
It emphasises that there is a sense of responsibility which must be applied, if not in a legal sense, at least as part of tenancy agreements for landlords to treat tenants with the same level of care as they would their own families.
Business awards on again
PREPARATIONS are being finalised for the 2013 Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence awards and the competition this year looks fierce.
Given there's been considerable debate and change in our business community during the past 12 months, the awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on those who are achieving in this difficult environment. This year's awards will be no exception.
