Mirboo North dairy farmer dies in wild storms

Victoria is dealing with the fallout from an extreme weather day on Tuesday with fires in the Grampians and storms across the state.

A 50-year-old Mirboo North dairy farmer has been killed in yesterday’s ferocious storms.

WorkSafe reported the farmer died after being struck by a shed roof that detached in strong winds at his Gippsland property yesterday.

“It is believed the 50-year-old was operating a quad bike while moving cattle when he and several cows were hit about 6pm,” WorkSafe reported.

Emergency services were called to a property on Boolarra-Mirboo North Road, about 6pm last night, but Victoria Police said the farmer died at the scene.

Police are yet to name the farmer, but said they were preparing a report for the coroner.

WorkSafe will investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, however the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The Weekly Times understands the farmer is a well know jersey breeder, who was heavily involved in the dairy industry with a top performing herd.

Victorian Farmers Federal president Emma Germano said: “on behalf of all Victorian farmers, the VFF extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mirboo North farmer sadly killed in yesterday’s wild weather. Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones left to mourn after this tragedy.”

“Farmers and regional Victorians remain stranded, powerless and in some cases burnt out almost a day after terrible fires and thunderstorms. The impact on our industry and regional communities is immense and once again have been left to pick up the pieces.”

There are grave fears for the fate of more than 20 homes following a major blaze at Pomonal near the Grampians on Tuesday.

Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said the fires in the Grampians and Wimmera were started by lightning strikes and assessments were still taking place into the number of properties lost.

“The (Grampians) fire moved at a fast rate of speed and spotted forward, which then resulted in a number of residential homes being burnt,” he said.

Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Weekly Times has been told there could be as many as 20 homes lost in the Pomonal area and other property damage at Dadswells Bridge.

Farmer Meg Blake, who lives at Bellellen near Pomonal, described the fire as the most severe in the area since 2006 and she and her husband evacuated to Stawell before returning home yesterday.

“A lot of homes have been lost in Pomonal,” she said.

The town’s store, post office and hall have survived the fire, but an old wooden church has been lost.

“We’ve just come back to the farm and we’re okay,” she said.

“But a lot of people aren’t.

“The community is very strong in Pomonal and has a organised resilience group that meets on a regular basis.”

All fires in the state have been downgraded to ‘watch and act’ and an emergency relief centre remains open at Stawell to assist people from Pomonal.

The fire danger rating remains high in the Wimmera today, but moderate across the rest of the state.

A fire burns in Pomonal Victoria. Picture: Nine News

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed five firefighters from Ballarat were injured defending homes at Pomonal, located on the eastern side of the Grampians National Park.

“Please note you have the gratitude of all of us for the selfless work you do,” she said.

There have been no confirmed reports of stock losses or fencing damage to date.