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Bushfire Assistance

January 2012 Update

The Coroners Court of Victoria can advise that Victoria Police have now provided a number of the coronial briefs of evidence relating to the Black Saturday fires.

Some matters remain the subject of ongoing police criminal investigations and/or prosecutions. In those cases, the coronial investigations remain suspended until the police investigations and court proceedings are complete. This ensures the coronial investigations do not interfere with the administration of justice.

 

Churchill fires – A current criminal prosecution remains underway. Police charged a 41-year-old man with a number of arson related offences and the trial is set to commence on 9 February 2012. As a result, the coronial investigation into these fires is suspended. Eleven people died in the Churchill fires.

 

Beechworth/Mudgegonga fires – Victoria Police have provided the briefs of evidence in relation to these fires and the State Coroner is currently reviewing the information in order to determine the direction of the coronial investigation. Two people died in the Beechworth/Mudgegonga fires.

 

Bendigo/Maiden Gully fires – The criminal charges against two juvenile boys in relation to these fires were discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2011. Victoria Police have now provided the briefs of evidence in relation to these fires and the State Coroner is currently reviewing the information in order to determine the direction of the coronial investigation. One man died in the Bendigo/Maiden Gulley fires.

 

Kilmore East fires – Victoria Police have provided the briefs of evidence in relation to these fires and the State Coroner is currently reviewing the information in order to determine the direction of the coronial investigation. There were 119 people who died in the Kilmore East fires.

 

Murrindindi fires – Victoria Police advised the court in June 2011 that they were no longer pursuing a criminal investigation into the cause of the Murrindindi fires. The court is still awaiting the briefs of evidence. Once the court receives the briefs of evidence, the State Coroner will review the information in order to determine the direction of the coronial investigation. There were 40 people who died in the Murrindindi fires.

 

Bushfire Support

In 2011, Lana Kolyunski joined the court as the Bushfire Community Engagement Manager to provide assistance and support to bushfire affected families and friends. Lana has recently taken up another position within the Department of Justice. Lana’s support services will now be provided by the court’s Family and Community Support counsellor Jana Firestone.

Jana had extensive contact with many bushfire affected families and friends in the immediate wake of the bushfires in 2009 and throughout 2010 during the Bushfire Royal Commission.

Jana can be contacted by calling the court on 1300 309 519.

Enquires relating to the coronial investigations into the Black Saturday fires can be sent to bushfires@coronerscourt.vic.gov.au