20/12/2025
💔Our Communities United in Grief, Hope and Standing Together After the Muckatah Tragedy.💔
À la mémoire de notre chère et bien-aimée Maman, Nyota Nsimire💔💐💔😭
This week, our Goulburn Valley Congolese and Papua New Guinea communities in the Greater Shepparton have been confronted with an immense and heartbreaking tragedy. On Monday evening in Muckatah, a serious minivan accident profoundly impacted nine members of our communities, leaving families and loved ones facing unimaginable loss, trauma, and uncertainty.
Tragically, four lives were lost at the scene. One of those who passed was a valued participant in our Women and Young Girls’ Empowerment & Economic Development and CALD Pathways into Dairy Industry Education Projects. In addition, one adult and four young people sustained critical injuries and remain under intensive medical care. Four are currently being treated in Melbourne hospitals, while one continues to recover at Goulburn Valley Health. Our hearts are heavy as we stand with them during this difficult and painful time.
On behalf of the Masomo Mbele Foundation (MMF) and Echo Hope Project Board, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and our heartfelt support to those whose loved ones are still fighting to recover. This tragedy has deeply affected not only the families involved, but also the broader multicultural and Australian community in Victoria and around Australia. We grieve together, we stand together, and we remain united in compassion, heading and solidarity.
We also wish to express our sincere and profound gratitude to the Victoria Police, paramedics, ambulance services, firefighters, medical teams, both Melbourne and Shepparton hospitals staff, and all emergency responders who acted swiftly and courageously at the scene and continue to provide lifesaving care. We acknowledge the witnesses, first helpers, community members, reporters, and all those who offered immediate assistance, comfort, and prayers during and after this tragic event. Your compassion, professionalism, and humanity have not gone unnoticed and are deeply appreciated.
MMF and the Echo Hope Project stand firmly alongside the families and the Goulburn Congolese Association and Papua New Guinea during this time of profound grief. Families and survivors shall never walk alone. We will continue to pray and walk with you, support you, and hold hope together as one community.🤝💡❤️💔💐😭
With deepest respect, love, compassion, solidarity and gratitude,
Declo
Founder & Director
Masomo Mbele Foundation Inc. (MMF) & Echo Hope Project.
