Rosemary Gamble, the owner of Taz-Zorb, was handed an important legal victory. In August, the former Tasmanian Department of Education deputy secretary was acquitted of breaches of occupational health and safety obligations over a fatal accident at Hillcrest Primary School, Devonport, Tasmania. The incident, which occurred in December 2021, resulted in the deaths of six children: Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Peter Dodt.
That verdict was handed down by Magistrate Robert Webster at the Devonport Magistrates Court on Friday. He acknowledged that Gamble “in some respects” fell short of her health and safety obligations and indicated that she “could have done more or taken further steps.” In the court’s decision, it dismissed the charge against her, leaving families devastated by the ruling.
Gamble came under fire for employing two out-of-compliance pegs. She claimed she, on the day of the incident, had the jumping castle anchored with 2 “V-shaped” pegs. Her public defense attorney, Chris Dockray, insisted that Gamble was not provided with adequate assistance from the castle’s maker. He implied that she’d been thrown under the bus and left “out to dry.” She had actually used eight pegs to hold the equipment down, he pointed out. This indicates that she was well-equipped to make sure that all of it was compliant.
Following that verdict, Clarence Gamble walked out of court with tears on his face. In her statement, she said her heart goes out to the families affected by this terrible tragedy.
“I never meant for something like this to happen. And I am just so sorry that it did.” – Rosemary Gamble
As a mother, she said, nobody could feel deeper empathy. She spoke to the grief that parents must endure as they bury their children.
“I am a mother. I can only imagine the pain that other parents are living with each and every day because of this terrible thing that happened.” – Rosemary Gamble
The judge’s ruling did nothing to minimize the heartache of families who lost loved ones on the tragic day. Andrew Dodt, father of victim Peter Dodt, articulated his grief after the verdict was announced.
“At the end of the day, all I wanted was an apology for my son not coming home, and I’m never going to get it and that kills me.” – Andrew Dodt
The emotional toll has been immeasurable for each family affected. Georgie Burt, another parent touched by the tragedy from which this project has emerged, recalled how she had never stopped breaking.
“I hope you see them every time I miss a birthday, miss a Christmas.” – Georgie Burt
The court’s decision comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing grief and frustration from the victims’ families. They have launched a class action against Gamble and the state of Tasmania to hold them accountable for their losses.