Man faces court accused of murder of Quambatook woman Merril Kelly

ABC NEWS (Australia)

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.

Transcript

00:00A simple floral tribute sits outside the Quambatook home of Meryl Callie.

00:07She was the backbone of the community.

00:10Meryl was the gem of the society. She was involved with everything.

00:13The long-time Quambatook resident worked at the local swimming pool

00:16and was secretary of Quambatook's development organisation

00:19and was involved in several community groups.

00:23If she saw someone struggling and could, she would help

00:26and she dedicated almost all of her time to the community in Quambatook.

00:31The small town of just over 200 people awoke on Tuesday

00:35to the news police had found her body burnt near the local cemetery.

00:3967-year-old Quambatook man, Brian Barnes,

00:42appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court this morning charged with murder.

00:46Barnes posted videos on social media this week

00:49where he talked about a dispute over some plumbing work

00:52he'd done at the swimming pool where Meryl Callie worked.

00:55The feeling among residents I've spoken to in Quambatook

00:58is one of sadness and shock

01:01with the Lions Club cancelling Australia Day events

01:04saying it's no time for celebrations.

01:07The Gunawarra Shire Council issued a statement

01:10saying any loss of life in small rural communities such as Quambatook

01:14has a wider impact on the area

01:17while Northern District Community Health

01:19said the loss of their life member has shaken the community.

01:23Just a lovely person and she's always nice

01:26and she was always involved and, you know, yeah.

01:30Barnes will be held in custody and returned to court in April.

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