General News
15 July, 2026
Donald town meeting set to show support
The meeting will take place on Monday at 7pm.
BULOKE Shire Council and Victoria Police have called a Donald town meeting on Monday night as tensions in the small town begin to rise.
Mayor Graeme Milne, who was in Donald on Monday, said residents were beginning to feel “the full impacts and severity” of the loss of young Layla Jeffery.
“People are feeling fairly ordinary and they’re starting to build up a bit of anger,” he said.
“Victoria Police requested this meeting in hopes that it may help reign in some of the speculation that is going around at the moment.
“It’s not helping the situation and it really doesn’t solve anything.
“It’s understandible that everything is feeling fairly sombre in Donald, but we need to remember that there is a family that has lost a loved one in amongst all this.
“The town needs to feel the grief and let the anger come later if that’s what needs to happen.”
Cr Milne said it was council’s job to gather information and release it to the public as it comes to light.
“We want to try and steer away from the talk that’s happening and make sure out communities have the support they need,” he said.
Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan, who will be at the meeting on Monday, told last Friday’s media conference police had been active in the community.
“We’ve spoken with Layla’s family and our thoughts are with them,” he said.
Donald-based councillor Charmaine Delaney said her heart was broken for the community as it lived through this tragedy over the last few weeks.
“We know it’s difficult for the community and we will do everything we can to help,” she said.
“The community will have our support wherever it is necessary.”
As of yesterday, a GoFundMe had raised more than $43,000 for Layla’s family. It has been reported that the 16-year-old charged with murder faced the children’s court on Saturday.
The case has been adjourned to November.
Council met with police yesterday to confirm the details of next week’s meeting. It will take place on Monday at Donald Memorial Hall from 7pm.
For more information and support, visit: www.buloke.vic.gov.au/community-support-following-the-tragic-death-of-layla-jeffery
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