General News
25 June, 2025
Linda Domaschenz's legacy continues
For many years, Linda Domaschenz advocated for greater safety measures at Kiata.
Tragically, it was on this stretch of highway that the passionate conservationist lost her life in the early hours of April 4, 2025.
The tiny town of 64 people, situated between Dimboola and Nhill, was effectively closed as detectives searched for answers.
The highway remained closed until late on Saturday, the following day.
Police said at the time they believed Ms Domaschenz was the victim of a hit-and-run incident.
Family friend, Shannon Cleary, also of Kiata, was permitted to speak to The Wimmera Mail-Times on the family's behalf, who asked that the focus of this story be greater safety measures on the highway.
Ms Cleary said people had asked her why her friend was out in the early hours of the morning when the incident is thought to have occurred.
"She was a talented seamstress, but she suffered a lot of pain from fibromyalgia, so she often worked in her workshop in the centre of town near the highway late at night.
"She was a night person."
Ms Cleary said Ms Domaschenz's death had devastated her partner and twin adult daughters, who often referred fondly to their mother as "our wild mother."
"Her death is also a great loss to the community of Kiata, her knowledge, her passion for the community, and her strength to fight for the simple way of life we love here," she said.
Her simple cardboard casket exemplified her commitment to the environment, and family and friends who gathered at the Kiata Cemetery on May 2 were asked to make donations to Gerang Gerang Wildlife Rescue and Restoration instead of flowers.
"She always said it takes a long time for wood to compost, and trees take a long time to grow, "Ms Cleary said.
Ms Cleary said she hoped the community would consider installing a plaque in Ms Domaschenz's memory in the future and would continue to plant the Sweet Bursaria Bush for the butterflies.
Fondly referred to as the 'Mother of Kiata,' Ms Domaschenz had lived in the close-knit community for 30 years and was well known for her extensive work in the community, the Little Desert National Park, and her passion for life and nature.
One of her primary objectives was to make Kiata safer for residents, pedestrians, and visitors.
Leading the community in her aim for greater safety, she appealed to VicRoads to consider extending the 80kph signs at least 100m further out from the existing site, thereby lengthening the reduced speed zone, so that traffic, especially trucks, had slowed by the time they reached the township.
Ms Domaschenz also advocated for signage limiting the use of air brakes within the township to lessen late-night noise for residents, and to create a turning lanes for locals exiting the highway into their driveways or streets amid high-speed traffic.
At the time of Ms Domaschenz's death, these requests had not been addressed, and her family said they hoped that by speaking out, it would highlight the need for action.
She advocated for bus stops in the town so residents who didn't own vehicles would not be isolated, and hoped changes to the road use conditions would also increase the safety of passengers using the bus service.
The bus stops are on opposite sides of the highway, which means passengers must often cross the highway when using the bus service.
Kiata has no pedestrian crossing, and there are no flashing lights to warn drivers of pedestrians.
Ms Domaschenz produced a book detailing conservation work in the Little Desert National Park between 1993 and 2013 and "was devastated by the recent Little Desert National Park fire and the loss of flora and fauna," Ms Cleary said.
She spent many years cultivating and planting the Sweet Bursaria Bush for the Elthan Copper Butterfly, which breeds and feeds from the bush.
She led a protest against having mains water connected to Kiata because she didn't want chlorine in the water supply, nor did she want the cost of the installation passed on to the residents.
Member for Lowan, Deputy Leader of the Nationals, has written to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, The Hon Melissa Horne, for her immediate attention to the community's request for greater safety measures in the Kiata township.
Police believe Ms Domaschenz's death resulted from a hit-and-run incident involving a heavy vehicle.
The Mail-Times has contacted the Minister for Transport, Melissa Horne, for comment.