Editor’s note: As the boys have not been found guilty of a crime, comments assuming guilt cannot, and will not, be posted.
Black Saturday anniversary: When time stands still Black Saturday: No justice...and community seeks answers Boys' Black Saturday charges dropped Bushfire victim's family outraged Editorial: Bendigo deserves bushfire answersTHE chairman of the Bendigo Bushfire Action Group said yesterday’s news that charges against the boys accused of lighting the inferno were dropped was the biggest “kick in the butt’’ since Black Saturday.Paul Epworth, who lost his family home in the inferno that swept through Bendigo’s western suburbs on February 7, 2009, wants someone held accountable for the loss of life and widespread devastation.“If not the two boys, then a government department has to be,’’ he said.“I would like to see a government department take responsibility, or the carer of the kids has to be made accountable.“Someone has to be held responsible and if our justice system doesn’t do that – at least a government department has to.’’Mr Epworth said those who lost their homes would be forever asking questions about that fateful day.“There’s a lot of anger towards the fact they haven’t got closure – but how do we close it?’’“It’s a kick in the butt for Bendigo.’’“As a community we should be fighting this, not just the individuals affected.“This is our town that was destroyed.’’Maree Stockdale and George Sterling also lost their home on Black Saturday and yesterday, they released a statement raising concerns about the OPP decision to drop the charges. “Regardless of a disadvantaged background and a low intelligence quotient, all children and teenagers need to learn to be responsible for their own actions,’’ it read.“Many survivors and other residents are dreading the coming fire season, particularly the hot, windy days they bring and now cannot feel secure wondering if the alleged offenders are still ‘out there’, free to repeat offend. “If these boys were capable of allegedly making numerous hoax phone calls to the emergency services for days before and on the day they lit the fire, how is it they were deemed unfit to be tried and were discharged and could this decision give the wrong message to other recalcitrant or bored teenagers? “The decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions to discontinue the case shows publicly no respect for the massive immediate and long term trauma and loss that this fire caused, in particular, the death of a much-loved family man, Mick Kane. “The loss of human life, the total demolition of 58 houses and significant damage to many other homes in Bendigo must be seen to count for something.“Added to this is the loss of the security of feeling safe in one’s own home, not only for the survivors, but for many Bendigo residents. ‘‘The decision also shows a considerable disregard and lack of respect by the DPP for the local police and the arson squad, who put many hours into interviewing, investigating and possibly solving this case only to have the two accused teenagers discharged of all responsibility for what could be judged as very spurious reasons.”
