Moira Shire Council’s May 24 meeting saw the announcement of a permanent memorial to all those who have died on the shire’s roads.
The catalyst for the memorial was the April 20 Strathmerton crash in which Cobram woman Debbie Markey and four foreign workers, Pin-Yu Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Wai Yan Lam and Zih-Yao Chen, lost their lives.
The collision also killed Ms Markey’s dog, Miss Sofie.
The memorial will be located at Federation Park and council independent administrator John Tanner said the memorial was also a fitting recognition of the strength of the Moira community, who banded together to support bereaved loved ones.
The memorial will feature a symbolic tree and a plaque.
“It (the Strathmerton crash) was the worst accident the shire has experienced in its history, but it brought to the fore our unique community spirit,” Mr Tanner said.
More than 300 people gathered at an emotional candlelight vigil on Wednesday, April 26 following the Strathmerton crash, including council workers, emergency service personnel and those who knew the victims.
Mr Tanner has appealed again to road users to show caution when using local roads.
“One death on our roads is one too many. I encourage everyone to be vigilant when driving and keep everyone safe,” he said.
His request has been echoed by emergency service personnel, who are frustrated with road users breaking the road rules and ignoring warning signs.
There have been 70 deaths on rural Victorian roads this year.