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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.
Helen l hope our love helps you in some way in your road to recovery xx
Another Helen
11 days ago
Thinking of you, precious lady. 🌻
June K
11 days ago
Dear Helen you are an inspiration . A woman of integrity , compassion , and soo much more . Be assured of my prayers and thoughts daily as you endure this challenge and road to recovery . Warmest Regards and Blessings Jane Marshall , Adelaide
Jane Marshall
11 days ago
Sending love and healing to you Helen. 🧡🧡🧡
Cath Warnock
11 days ago
Dear Helen, We hope the kindness, compassion and caring you have shared will always be returned to you by the community you loved and served so well. Our sincere and heartfelt wishes for your recovery. Noel and Kathy Woods.
Kathy Woods
11 days ago
Sending you strength to overcome the challenges ahead. You are the reason I decided to join our local Independents quest to represent our community. Your work for your community and that of Cathy McGowan is inspirational and proof that Independents can bring change. Take one day at a time and know how much you are loved and admired.
Pol
11 days ago
To our dear, loving, strong, caring Helen. Our thoughts & prayers have been with you & all your family & friends this last long week & will continue each day to come. God bless. Margaret & Ross Rapsey. Tallangatta. 🧡🧡
Marg
12 days ago
Dear Helen, the entire community is in shock. We hold you, Phil and your family in our hearts and pray for you all. Your beautiful smile, your grace, your compassion and your presence at your regular 'meet and greets' will be missed.
Penny Bingham
12 days ago
Wishing you a speedy recovery Helen. My best wishes to you and your family through this terrible tragedy. Your goodness has shone through like a beacon of hope for so many in our divisive culture and the fact donations were asked for save the children over flowers speaks volumes of your compassion, kindness and decency. It is time for the hate and the vitriol to be turned down and may the silver lining of this terrible event be the catalyst that brings people together.
GrantH
12 days ago
Whenever I’ve become involved in conversations with people bemoaning the state of politics in this country, I’ve said, “We’re lucky. We’re from Indi. We’ve got Helen Haines!” and people always nod and say, “yes! She’s great!” Helen, it is evident now that you aren’t just respected. You are loved.
Helene Bradshaw
12 days ago
Dear Helen, Benalla girl here currently living in Prahran with a view of The Alfred - so I think of you there right now. I wish this hadn’t happened. I wish you right back to where you were. Before. But there’s no point in useless wishes, and so I wish you strength on the down days. I wish you two steps forward for every one step back. I wish there were no irony in those words. And so I wish you all the strength and courage and heart that the people you’ve touched have faith you possess. But that’s a lot, and so I also wish that you give yourself permission to be sad or angry, and I wish you the knowledge to know you may give in to that but that you will move forward.
MelbourneMandy
12 days ago
Helen your strength and determination will see you through this . I’m sorry that this has happened to you . As an ex Wangaratta girl I know that local community will be behind you 100 %
❤️
Jodie McConnell
12 days ago
Dear Helen, there is so much love and goodwill towards you from your community and beyond. Take heart and draw strength from that and the wonderful donations to Save the Children. There is light. And there is love.
Amber McSwiney
12 days ago
Sending love and prayers from Tallangatta Uniting Church congregation. We hope you find strength from all the love that’s coming your way.
Tallangatta UCA
12 days ago
Dear Helen We were so shocked and devastated to hear of this horrendous act upon your life . Our prayers and with you to pull through this and for your family to have strength and courage to help you . Sending love Ross and Gayle Morrison 🙏🏻❤️
Gayle Morrison
12 days ago
I haven't met you Helen but I wish you all the very best for your recovery, plus strength and happiness. God bless.
Kate Rickards
12 days ago
Helen you are one of the reasons I moved out regionally and chose to support end of life care in rural and regional areas over metropolitan areas. Your passion for the people of Indi shines brighter than anyone I've ever seen in parliament. I hope that you and your family get all the support you need to recover from this. Sending so much love.
Merry
12 days ago
Lots of love to a very special human… We are with you all the way as you embark on the courageous rehabilitation journey as you have been with and for us:-)
Mark & Julia…
12 days ago
Best wishes Helen and family. You are inspiring!
John
12 days ago
You are a beautiful and strong person. Now is time for your personal journey, do what is best for you. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. You are in our thoughts and heart, sending best wishes. Cheers
Helen l hope our love helps you in some way in your road to recovery xx
Thinking of you, precious lady. 🌻
Dear Helen you are an inspiration . A woman of integrity , compassion , and soo much more . Be assured of my prayers and thoughts daily as you endure this challenge and road to recovery . Warmest Regards and Blessings Jane Marshall , Adelaide
Sending love and healing to you Helen. 🧡🧡🧡
Dear Helen,
We hope the kindness, compassion and caring you have shared will always be returned to you by the community you loved and served so well.
Our sincere and heartfelt wishes for your recovery.
Noel and Kathy Woods.
Sending you strength to overcome the challenges ahead. You are the reason I decided to join our local Independents quest to represent our community. Your work for your community and that of Cathy McGowan is inspirational and proof that Independents can bring change. Take one day at a time and know how much you are loved and admired.
To our dear, loving, strong, caring Helen. Our thoughts & prayers have been with you & all your family & friends this last long week & will continue each day to come. God bless. Margaret & Ross Rapsey. Tallangatta. 🧡🧡
Dear Helen, the entire community is in shock. We hold you, Phil and your family in our hearts and pray for you all. Your beautiful smile, your grace, your compassion and your presence at your regular 'meet and greets' will be missed.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Helen. My best wishes to you and your family through this terrible tragedy. Your goodness has shone through like a beacon of hope for so many in our divisive culture and the fact donations were asked for save the children over flowers speaks volumes of your compassion, kindness and decency. It is time for the hate and the vitriol to be turned down and may the silver lining of this terrible event be the catalyst that brings people together.
Whenever I’ve become involved in conversations with people bemoaning the state of politics in this country, I’ve said, “We’re lucky. We’re from Indi. We’ve got Helen Haines!” and people always nod and say, “yes! She’s great!” Helen, it is evident now that you aren’t just respected. You are loved.
Dear Helen, Benalla girl here currently living in Prahran with a view of The Alfred - so I think of you there right now.
I wish this hadn’t happened. I wish you right back to where you were. Before. But there’s no point in useless wishes, and so I wish you strength on the down days. I wish you two steps forward for every one step back. I wish there were no irony in those words. And so I wish you all the strength and courage and heart that the people you’ve touched have faith you possess. But that’s a lot, and so I also wish that you give yourself permission to be sad or angry, and I wish you the knowledge to know you may give in to that but that you will move forward.
Helen your strength and determination will see you through this .
I’m sorry that this has happened to you .
As an ex Wangaratta girl I know that local community will be behind you 100 %
❤️
Dear Helen, there is so much love and goodwill towards you from your community and beyond.
Take heart and draw strength from that and the wonderful donations to Save the Children. There is light. And there is love.
Sending love and prayers from Tallangatta Uniting Church congregation. We hope you find strength from all the love that’s coming your way.
Dear Helen
We were so shocked and devastated to hear of this horrendous act upon your life .
Our prayers and with you to pull through this and for your family to have strength and courage to help you .
Sending love
Ross and Gayle Morrison
🙏🏻❤️
I haven't met you Helen but I wish you all the very best for your recovery, plus strength and happiness. God bless.
Helen you are one of the reasons I moved out regionally and chose to support end of life care in rural and regional areas over metropolitan areas. Your passion for the people of Indi shines brighter than anyone I've ever seen in parliament. I hope that you and your family get all the support you need to recover from this. Sending so much love.
Lots of love to a very special human… We are with you all the way as you embark on the courageous rehabilitation journey as you have been with and for us:-)
Best wishes Helen and family. You are inspiring!
You are a beautiful and strong person.
Now is time for your personal journey, do what is best for you.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
You are in our thoughts and heart, sending best wishes.
Cheers