This is the story that should be used in TAC campaigns

Going by the amount of #masterchef hashtags I saw on Twitter last night I don't think too many people caught Australian Story. The episode, titled 'In My Little Town' centred around the small Central Highlands town of Harcourt, a car accident that killed Leigh Charter Jr. and a subsequent murder and suicide.

You can catch-up on the episode on iView here.

The story was told mostly from the perspective of the family whose son, Brenton Chaplin was the driver of the car in which Leigh Charter Jr. was killed. They were best mates.

Brenton's blood alcohol limit was recorded as 0.8. As a P-plater it should have been zero. He was also driving way over the speed limit.

Subsequently, the father of Leigh Charter Jr, Leigh Charter attacked the Chaplin family. Four family members were stabbed. Wendy Chaplin, Brenton's mother was fatally wounded. Leigh Charter hung himself a few hours after the frenzied attack. Brenton was unhurt.

Leigh Charter's wife, Vicki declined to have her interview filmed but provided a letter from her perspective. It can also be found on the ABC website.

It is clear from the letter that Vicki blames Brenton as well as Trevor and Wendy Chaplin for the death of her son. Her grief and despair are evident. I'm not sure that she believes her husband's actions were entirely wrong.

It was a gut-wrenching and incredibly emotional half an hour of television. I would encourage anyone who has a chance to watch it.

This episode should be compulsory viewing for anyone who drives a car and even those who choose to be a passenger. The grief and horror that came from one bad decision is difficult to comprehend.

I hope that the surviving members of each family can one day find some peace.