General News
22 July, 2026
Emotional town meeting provides support for Donald community
For the organising bodies, this meeting was to provide factual information and support to a town that needed it.
DONALD’S Memorial Hall was full on Monday night as residents, support services, and police gathered for an emotional but necessary public meeting.
Following the loss of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery just a few weeks ago, the town and surrounds have had a lot of questions that were submitted to police and council prior to the meeting.
For the organising bodies, this meeting was to provide factual information and support to a town that needed it.
“We all experience grief differently... in these events and with a tight knit community, it’s important to lean on each other,” Lifeline Loddon Mallee’s Kath Metcalf said.
Remains believed to be Layla’s were found in bushland near the Richardson River close to the Donald Police Station on July 9, and a 16-year-old boy has since been charged with murder.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan made it very clear questions around the accused and the investigation were not able to be answered at this time.
He said court proceedings could take years to finalise and told the community not to expect a quick resolution.
“This will take time,” Detective Inspector Dunstan said.
“We don’t want to give anyone false hope that this will be resolved quickly.”
Detective Inspector Dunstan said they could not give specific answers about the case because doing so could risk the integrity of the court proceedings and coroner’s inquiry.
He said authorities were being particularly cautious because the alleged murderer was a child in custody who is set to face the Children’s Court.
Police also assured residents the increase in officers, some former Donald police, was not a sign of risk, but one of support.
Buloke Shire mayor Graeme Milne addressed the online speculation, delivering a stark warning to the crowd.
“There’s been a number of text messages and emails, and other social media stuff where people are building a platform for themselves,” he said.
“We’ve seen suspicion and innuendo that probably has no basis. It doesn’t help the inquiry, and it doesn’t help Layla’s family.”
He said unsubstantiated claims were fuelling anger in the town that was already reeling.
“A lot of this finds its way back to family and friends,” Cr Milne said.
“They don’t need that sort of stuff circulating around. Neither do councillors or support agencies. We’re not going to put up with it. If we have to, police will call on people making untruths, and I will not defend them.”
Headspace’s Kate Waterworth said it was important to support the area’s youth - whether they knew Layla or not. “Children respond very differently... Be with them, be there to listen,” she said,
For more, visit: www.buloke.vic.gov.au/community-support-following-the-tragic-death-of-layla-jeffery
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