Floral tributes line the ground outside Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines’ electorate office in Wangaratta on Wednesday, October 21.
Photo by
Billie Davern
As floral tributes flood the path outside Helen Haines’ Wangaratta office in colour, Indi community members begin to resolve how they can move past the dark time of the alleged attack on their long-time representative.
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At about 3.35pm on Monday, October 19, Dr Haines, who has represented the federal electorate of Indi since 2019, was allegedly struck by a white Toyota LandCruiser multiple times outside her electorate office on Murphy St, Wangaratta.
After being taken to Wangaratta Hospital, Dr Haines was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne at about 7pm that evening.
It was reported on Tuesday that Dr Haines had lost one of her legs as a result of the incident, and that hospital staff were fighting to save her other leg.
Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said council was standing with Dr Haines after the alleged attack.
Photo by
Billie Davern
On Wednesday, Wangaratta Rural City Council held a meeting to discuss the events on Monday afternoon.
Mayor Irene Grant, who has known Dr Haines for “many years”, said council abhorred violence within the community.
“We stand to support Helen Haines, and we also, as a council, stand to support our community as we move beyond this terrible incident,” Cr Grant said.
She said, while council had no immediate safety concerns for local representatives or the community, it was discussing how to “do things differently”.
“I think it will cause us to consider everything that we do in terms of security and safety into the future,” Cr Grant said.
On Tuesday, the community came together for a vigil at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Wangaratta to pray for Dr Haines’ recovery.
A day later, the Australian Red Cross set out to continue the conversations that were sparked at that vigil, with volunteers offering free counselling support at Ovens Riverside Square throughout the morning.
Australian Red Cross recovery officer Vanessa Keenan was in Wangaratta with fellow volunteers from the organisation to offer free counselling support for local residents on Wednesday, October 21.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Australian Red Cross recovery officer Vanessa Keenan said the organisation recognised that the incident had “significantly impacted the community”.
“We have local volunteers who are trained specifically to support the community with psychological first aid,” Ms Keenan said.
“We had a number of those here this morning who were able to provide assistance and generally just have conversations — meaningful conversations with local residents who might be feeling the impacts of what’s occurred.”
She said the organisation was planning to continue to deliver these counselling sessions “so long as the community needs us here”.
On Wednesday, accused attacker Brendan Nugent, 43, of Tarrawingee appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, dangerous driving causing serious injury, and intentionally cause serious injury.
Police allege the incident was targeted.
Mr Nugent did not enter any plea deal and did not apply for bail.
He is expected to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on February 4, 2027.
Dr Haines remains in critical condition at the Alfred Hospital.
