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On Monday 19 October 2026, our Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, was attacked outside her Wangaratta office.
Our communities have been deeply shocked and saddened, and we know many people are holding Helen and her family in their thoughts.
Helen’s husband, Phil, has asked people to keep sending their messages of love, support and best wishes. This page provided a place for our community to do just that.
Community members were invited to share a kind word, a memory of Helen, a thank you for her work in our communities, or simply let her know she was in their thoughts. Every message received was a meaningful gesture of support and will now be collated and shared with Helen and her family through her office.
The Haines family has asked that, instead of sending flowers, people consider a donation to Save the Children.
If news of this event has been hard for you, please reach out to family, friends or a neighbour, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time.
On Monday 19 October 2026, our Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, was attacked outside her Wangaratta office.
Our communities have been deeply shocked and saddened, and we know many people are holding Helen and her family in their thoughts.
Helen’s husband, Phil, has asked people to keep sending their messages of love, support and best wishes. This page provided a place for our community to do just that.
Community members were invited to share a kind word, a memory of Helen, a thank you for her work in our communities, or simply let her know she was in their thoughts. Every message received was a meaningful gesture of support and will now be collated and shared with Helen and her family through her office.
The Haines family has asked that, instead of sending flowers, people consider a donation to Save the Children.
If news of this event has been hard for you, please reach out to family, friends or a neighbour, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time.
CLOSED: Thank you for your messages of support for Helen. Every message received will now be thoughtfully collated and shared with Helen's family on behalf of the Indigo Shire community.
Dear Helen
I am at a loss to find appropriate words to express myself here. You have been such an incredible role model for me and I am grateful to have learned from afar about how politics could be done differently. I love how you made politics tangible for our youth too.
May your spirit remain strong during the road ahead. Know that you are loved and admired by so many people across Indi and the nation.
Lynn F
10 days ago
We love you Helen and we are cheering you on every day. Sending you strength, you are loved deeply by those around you, immediate and further away. Your positive attitude, stealy determination and integrity will serve you well. Love to you as a colleague too, we (Midwives) need you in the current climate and I know you would be present in person if you could. May you recover on your terms in your time, your way with your communities unwavering support. The Thornton Family 🧡
Louise Thornton
10 days ago
I am a new resident of your electorate, so I was not on the ground to meet you at the last election. However, I have been struck by the way the community are holding you in their hearts at this time. This tells me more than any election campaign about the sort of person you are. Wishing you all the very best for a speedy recovery Helen, and I look forward to voting for you at the next Federal election!
Newbie
11 days ago
Dearest, dearest Helen Our thoughts are with you today and into the future. We send our love and best wishes to you and your family for the best possible recovery. It is our honour to know and have meet with you on numerous occasions. Your beautiful inner light, kindness, integrity and wisdom continue to shine and lead the way for others even in this most difficult time. You are in our thoughts and hearts every day. Dear Helen you are an inspiration. We will always remember you joining us on our front lawn for Earl Grey tea & scones. Sending you much love and healing Melanie Coid & Robert Whyte Gooramadda Olives
Gooramadda Olives
11 days ago
Thinking of you so often and sending our love to you and family -you have been an inspiration for our Voices of Wannon campaign for an independent representative and for integrity and transparency in politics. Julie Eagles and Bruce Campbell Warrnambool
Julie Eagles Bruce Campbell
11 days ago
Hello Helen, it is unfathomable what has happened and I am shocked beyond belief. It's as if it has happened to myself or my family. I pray for you everyday and light a nightime candle for you every night. Please continue your greatest race. God bless you and keep you tight. Lorraine
Lorraine
11 days ago
Dear Helen and family, I wish you all the best for the period of recovery ahead. If community love is the medicine, you are off to a great start.
Jennie Della
11 days ago
Hey there Helen!
You don’t know me personally but you know my parents as they have met you in a meeting for the ndis!
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time out of your busy schedule to assist us !
Your such a fighter
Keep fighting
Much love
The Johnson family xx
To the rest of your family we are thinking of you all
Amanda J
11 days ago
Dear Helen, what happened to you is so unAustralian but the love which has poured out to you and your family, is the true Australia. I hope and pray you will recover more strongly than you were before and continue to show the love and leadership you are known for.
Devastated
11 days ago
Sending you love, strength and hope Helen. Your dedication to community and the wider Australian public is truly inspirational. Big hug 🤗
Culture Queen
11 days ago
I’m so proud to have had an MP like Helen. She is a genuine, generous and inspiring leader and politician. Every single person is so shocked by what has happened. Above all, we just want Helen to recover and know how much she is loved.
BeckPalmer
11 days ago
Hi Helen, I don’t know you (I live in Adelaide) but since the news broke of this tragic incident you have been constantly in my thoughts. I know there will be many challenges ahead but know that many people around Australia are thinking of you, sending you hope, strength and love in the days ahead. May you feel the love that surrounds you and may it help you through your recovery. Best Wishes ❤️ Narelle
Narelle
11 days ago
I'd like to have us light a candle every Friday night at 8pm Melbourne time until Helen is discharged home. As a fellow RN, I feel the continued support for Helen & her family is so important for the weeks ahead. Phil, through his support, informing his community, has managed to unite Australia on Helen's behalf, to raise global recognition of the tsunamic need for humanity to care for one another. It starts in each & every home. Thank you Phil for presenting the depth of your authentic integrity.
Pamela
11 days ago
Hi Helen , I met you a few years ago in Benalla, I had a bright Orange 🍊 flower necklace on and I was walking down the main street, and was brought in by your colleagues re sharing the same fondness for the colour orange, you had a campaign going on at that time. You certainly have great taste for the colour orange . I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a tower of love, compassion and enormous strength to get thru this very difficult and challenging time in your life , that no one should ever face. What I have read about you Helen is your such a truly beautiful person inside and out with such kindness and you have the ability in strength and resilience to outshine , even in the most difficult and darkest of times. May you see the shinning light at the end of the tunnel that gets you thru. Bless you Helen Sending lots of love and kindness with a tower of strength coming your way . Regards Dannielle .
Dannielle
11 days ago
Dear Helen, you don’t know me but I am sending you warm hugs to help you while you recover from your ordeal. From what I read about you and your family you have the strength to get through this painful time and I wish you all the very best wishes.
Julia Bailey
11 days ago
Helen Please know you are in my prayers .. sincerely! I send you love and support and encouragement to battle on through this enormous challenge.
Pam Brumley
11 days ago
Hi Helen you are a Eurack girl and will fight as we do. I hope your strength and love of family we grew up with will give you support in your fight to come. Remember riding the bikes all that way to school? I never knew it was the first avenue of honour in Victoria? I hope all those diggers of past give you strength and maybe we can wrap them with your orange scarfs oneday. Loretta Kavenagh❤️
Loretta Kavenagh
11 days ago
Dear Helen wishing you lots of healing wishes at this very tragic time. Love to you & your family 💖
Cassie
11 days ago
Helen all our thoughts and hearts are with you, Phillip, family , all your team and friends . We wish you all the very best in your recovery and know that you are in good care. We are all here for you on your recovery road and won’t leave your side , Phillip”s or families. Kindness matters more than anything, yourself and team have always lived this every single day. I want to thank you for all your amazing support with aged care and genuine interest in supporting our ageing population. Your work and support is so valued by OPAN and many other peak bodies across Australia. Particularly to me .
Maria Berry
11 days ago
To my amazing friend and amazing representative Helen, you are the very best of us. This attack on you has made us all reflect about how we live and behave towards each other , and we can only aspire to reach the highest level of decency and humanity you have always demonstrated. You are our shining light, and we will be with you on the difficult journey ahead. Much love Jenny
Dear Helen
I am at a loss to find appropriate words to express myself here. You have been such an incredible role model for me and I am grateful to have learned from afar about how politics could be done differently. I love how you made politics tangible for our youth too.
May your spirit remain strong during the road ahead. Know that you are loved and admired by so many people across Indi and the nation.
We love you Helen and we are cheering you on every day. Sending you strength, you are loved deeply by those around you, immediate and further away. Your positive attitude, stealy determination and integrity will serve you well. Love to you as a colleague too, we (Midwives) need you in the current climate and I know you would be present in person if you could. May you recover on your terms in your time, your way with your communities unwavering support.
The Thornton Family 🧡
I am a new resident of your electorate, so I was not on the ground to meet you at the last election. However, I have been struck by the way the community are holding you in their hearts at this time. This tells me more than any election campaign about the sort of person you are. Wishing you all the very best for a speedy recovery Helen, and I look forward to voting for you at the next Federal election!
Dearest, dearest Helen
Our thoughts are with you today and into the future.
We send our love and best wishes to you and your family for the best possible recovery. It is our honour to know and have meet with you on numerous occasions. Your beautiful inner light, kindness, integrity and wisdom continue to shine and lead the way for others even in this most difficult time. You are in our thoughts and hearts every day. Dear Helen you are an inspiration. We will always remember you joining us on our front lawn for Earl Grey tea & scones. Sending you much love and healing
Melanie Coid & Robert Whyte
Gooramadda Olives
Thinking of you so often and sending our love to you and family -you have been an inspiration for our Voices of Wannon campaign for an independent representative and for integrity and transparency in politics. Julie Eagles and Bruce Campbell Warrnambool
Hello Helen, it is unfathomable what has happened and I am shocked beyond belief. It's as if it has happened to myself or my family.
I pray for you everyday and light a nightime candle for you every night. Please continue your greatest race.
God bless you and keep you tight.
Lorraine
Dear Helen and family, I wish you all the best for the period of recovery ahead. If community love is the medicine, you are off to a great start.
Hey there Helen!
You don’t know me personally but you know my parents as they have met you in a meeting for the ndis!
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time out of your busy schedule to assist us !
Your such a fighter
Keep fighting
Much love
The Johnson family xx
To the rest of your family we are thinking of you all
Dear Helen, what happened to you is so unAustralian but the love which has poured out to you and your family, is the true Australia. I hope and pray you will recover more strongly than you were before and continue to show the love and leadership you are known for.
Sending you love, strength and hope Helen. Your dedication to community and the wider Australian public is truly inspirational.
Big hug 🤗
I’m so proud to have had an MP like Helen. She is a genuine, generous and inspiring leader and politician. Every single person is so shocked by what has happened. Above all, we just want Helen to recover and know how much she is loved.
Hi Helen, I don’t know you (I live in Adelaide) but since the news broke of this tragic incident you have been constantly in my thoughts. I know there will be many challenges ahead but know that many people around Australia are thinking of you, sending you hope, strength and love in the days ahead. May you feel the love that surrounds you and may it help you through your recovery.
Best Wishes ❤️ Narelle
I'd like to have us light a candle every Friday night at 8pm Melbourne time until Helen is discharged home. As a fellow RN, I feel the continued support for Helen & her family is so important for the weeks ahead. Phil, through his support, informing his community, has managed to unite Australia on Helen's behalf, to raise global recognition of the tsunamic need for humanity to care for one another. It starts in each & every home. Thank you Phil for presenting the depth of your authentic integrity.
Hi Helen , I met you a few years ago in Benalla, I had a bright Orange 🍊 flower necklace on and I was walking down the main street, and was brought in by your colleagues re sharing the same fondness for the colour orange, you had a campaign going on at that time. You certainly have great taste for the colour orange . I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a tower of love, compassion and enormous strength to get thru this very difficult and challenging time in your life , that no one should ever face. What I have read about you Helen is your such a truly beautiful person inside and out with such kindness and you have the ability in strength and resilience to outshine , even in the most difficult and darkest of times. May you see the shinning light at the end of the tunnel that gets you thru. Bless you Helen Sending lots of love and kindness with a tower of strength coming your way .
Regards
Dannielle .
Dear Helen, you don’t know me but I am sending you warm hugs to help you while you recover from your ordeal. From what I read about you and your family you have the strength to get through this painful time and I wish you all the very best wishes.
Helen
Please know you are in my prayers .. sincerely! I send you love and support and encouragement to battle on through this enormous challenge.
Hi Helen you are a Eurack girl and will fight as we do. I hope your strength and love of family we grew up with will give you support in your fight to come. Remember riding the bikes all that way to school? I never knew it was the first avenue of honour in Victoria? I hope all those diggers of past give you strength and maybe we can wrap them with your orange scarfs oneday. Loretta Kavenagh❤️
Dear Helen wishing you lots of healing wishes at this very tragic time.
Love to you & your family 💖
Helen all our thoughts and hearts are with you, Phillip, family , all your team and friends . We wish you all the very best in your recovery and know that you are in good care. We are all here for you on your recovery road and won’t leave your side , Phillip”s or families. Kindness matters more than anything, yourself and team have always lived this every single day. I want to thank you for all your amazing support with aged care and genuine interest in supporting our ageing population. Your work and support is so valued by OPAN and many other peak bodies across Australia. Particularly to me .
To my amazing friend and amazing representative Helen, you are the very best of us. This attack on you has made us all reflect about how we live and behave towards each other , and we can only aspire to reach the highest level
of decency and humanity you have always demonstrated.
You are our shining light, and we will be with you on the difficult journey ahead.
Much love
Jenny