Charges over grandfather’s death at country sport club
A man has been charged with manslaughter after the golf course death of a beloved grandfather and community leader. John Durie’s death shocked the tight-knit town of Wycheproof in northwestern Victoria last year.
Police & Courts
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Homicide squad detectives have charged a man over the death of a beloved grandfather at a sports club in the state’s northwest last August.
Dane McLennan, 26, from Wycheproof, today faced Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court charged with manslaughter over the alleged assault that claimed the life of John Durie, 56, at Wycheproof Golf Club about 9.30pm on August 30.
Mr McLennan was bailed to appear in court again in May 20.
The men were well known to each other through local sporting groups.
The nature of the alleged assault, or what sparked it, is at this stage unclear.
Detectives are not looking for anyone else over the death.
Sources close to Mr Durie’s family say the past five months have been incredibly tough for them.
Last August, the Herald Sun reported how the small town was reeling after the shock death of a “champion fella” following a day of golf.
The grandfather had been at the club with friends following a golf tournament.
He was well known in the small Mallee town, including for his involvement in cricket.
His son Ashley remembered his father as a hardworking farmer and a selfless man.
Some in the town suggested a medical episode or playful scuffle occurred, rather than a violent assault as first suspected.
“He starts shaking like he’s having a heart attack,” said a man who wished to remain anonymous.
Paramedics worked on Mr Durie at the scene but he could not be saved.
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Mr Durie’s family gathered at his property following his death, and friends also took to social media to expressed their sadness.
Raeleen Collins described Mr Durie as a “lovely man”.
Mr Durie was heavily involved in the Wycheproof community, with the Wycheproof Narraport Cricket Club listing him as president on its website.