Police have urged the Wangaratta community to seek help if they, or anyone they know, are experiencing family violence.
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About 50 people gathered on Thursday seeking support in the aftermath of Tuesday’s horrific murder-suicide.
Acting Inspector Pauline Williams offered her condolences to the friends and family of the victim. “Family violence impacts all areas, it doesn’t discriminate and it’s something, if anyone here is experiencing or knows of anyone who is experiencing, we would like you to seek support,” she said.
The local area commander said there would be a full investigation of the incident for the coroner’s report.
“I do apologise if you were displaced (from nearby homes), however it was deemed a necessity and as soon as we were able to determine the risk had been removed, we were then allowing people back in,” she said.
“I would just like you to know that, when required, we have access to the full range of resources that are available in Melbourne.
“Just because we’re rural doesn’t mean we don’t get that level of service.
“Moving forward, I know it’s not easy and it’s going to impact you in your own ways in your association with this and what I do suggest is you look after yourself, you look after each other, you look after your neighbours.”
The gathering at the Salvation Army building in Garnet Avenue was organised by Wangaratta Council and Mayor Ken Clarke encouraged anyone who needed help to speak to Red Cross volunteers or Gateway Health professionals available in the city.
“The focus of this evening is to focus on bringing people together to talk and support one another,” he said.
“This is a very difficult time for the community of Wangaratta.
“We’ve seen people come together in many ways to support the victims of this incident and support one another.
“It’s important this support continues in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
Wangaratta Council municipal recovery manager Jamie McCaffrey said police and support agencies had done a tremendous job “in one of the most difficult circumstances imaginable”.
“I would encourage you (as a community) to continue to talk to one another about what’s happened … supporting yourselves and your neighbours is extremely important in times like this,” he said.