Dion Robbins remembered by family following tragic drowning in Palmerston

The family of a boy who tragically drowned in Palmerston at the weekend have spoken of their grief for the loss of their ‘loving little boy’. Read the details.

The family of a boy who tragically drowned in Palmerston at the weekend have spoken of their heartbreak and profound grief for the loss of their “loving little boy”.

Three-year-old Dion Robbins drowned at his home on Saturday afternoon. 

Dion was pulled from the water about 3.30pm and given CPR.

NT Police and ambulance arrived shortly after and continued the CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dion’s aunty Lizzie Robbins spoke to the NT News to share her family’s grief.

Dion Robbins (L) and his little brother Seth (R). Picture: Supplied

“Dion was the most caring and loving little boy... any room he walked into he made people smile and laugh” Ms Robbins said.

“He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly.

“They were the two amigos — always getting into mischief together.”

Another aunty, Sue Longstaff, has started a GoFundMe page to support Dion’s family. 

“There are no words to describe the pain of his loss, he was weeks away from celebrating his fourth birthday,” Ms Longstaff wrote.

Dion Robbins last Christmas. Picture: Supplied

“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.”

Dion’s death has sent shockwaves through the local Palmerston community, with the fundraiser raising over $4000 by 1pm on Monday.

Ms Robbins thanked donors for their generosity on behalf of Dion’s parents, Chris Robbins and Amber Fennell.

“The family really appreciates the support that they’re getting at this trying time,” she said.

Dion Robbins with his father Chris Robbins, mother Amber Fennell and little brother Seth Robbins. Picture: Supplied

This latest drowning highlights a disturbing reality: the Northern Territory has the nation’s highest rates of drowning in two categories.

According to a 2024 Royal Life Saving Australia report, five Territorians drowned in 2023/24, with the Top End having the highest drowning rate of all regional areas in Australia — 6.06 per 100,000

Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield had the highest drowning rates of all metro areas in Australia — 2.4 per 100,000.

The Northern Territory therefore leads the nation for drownings per capita in both regional and metro areas.

Floss Roberts from Royal Life Saving NT said the high figures could be due to a number of factors.

“The NT has a very high number of home swimming pools and spas,” Ms Roberts said.

“Our extremes of living in a tropical climate also puts Territorians more at risk of drowning than other states.”

But Royal Life Saving statistics show the vast majority of drownings in the Northern Territory occur in natural bodies of water — not swimming pools.

Since 2014, 28 per cent of the total 68 drowning deaths occurred in pools.

The majority of deaths (37 per cent) were in rivers or creeks.

Donations to the GoFundMe can be made at https://gofund.me/870183af