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Man faces court accused of murder of Quambatook woman Merril Kelly
ABC NEWS (Australia)
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1/23/2025
A man has appeared in court charged with murder over the death of a woman in the small northern Victorian town of Quambatook. Merril Kelly was an active member of the local community, and her death has left the town reeling.
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00:00
A simple floral tribute sits outside the Quambatook home of Meryl Callie.
00:07
She was the backbone of the community.
00:10
Meryl was the gem of the society. She was involved with everything.
00:13
The long-time Quambatook resident worked at the local swimming pool
00:16
and was secretary of Quambatook's development organisation
00:19
and was involved in several community groups.
00:23
If she saw someone struggling and could, she would help
00:26
and she dedicated almost all of her time to the community in Quambatook.
00:31
The small town of just over 200 people awoke on Tuesday
00:35
to the news police had found her body burnt near the local cemetery.
00:39
67-year-old Quambatook man, Brian Barnes,
00:42
appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court this morning charged with murder.
00:46
Barnes posted videos on social media this week
00:49
where he talked about a dispute over some plumbing work
00:52
he'd done at the swimming pool where Meryl Callie worked.
00:55
The feeling among residents I've spoken to in Quambatook
00:58
is one of sadness and shock
01:01
with the Lions Club cancelling Australia Day events
01:04
saying it's no time for celebrations.
01:07
The Gunawarra Shire Council issued a statement
01:10
saying any loss of life in small rural communities such as Quambatook
01:14
has a wider impact on the area
01:17
while Northern District Community Health
01:19
said the loss of their life member has shaken the community.
01:23
Just a lovely person and she's always nice
01:26
and she was always involved and, you know, yeah.
01:30
Barnes will be held in custody and returned to court in April.
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