General News
29 March, 2026
Livestock industry icon killed in tragic truck accident
TRIBUTES are flowing for respected Campbells Forest community member and livestock carrier Graeme Thomas.
Mr Thomas, 74, died in a road accident at Maroona, near Ararat last Thursday.
The livestock industry veteran had delivered stock to the Bendigo saleyards for decades ahead of weekly sales.
Sundays regularly saw him loading stock for agents at Loddon farms for delivery to Bendigo.
Campbells Forest leaders said Graeme had made significant contributions to the community to through his involvement with the community hub and the fire brigade.
District football clubs also paid tribute to Mr Thomas as a friend, supporter and sponsor.
“Graeme was the kind of person every community is built on — loyal, generous, and always willing to lend a hand,” said Bridgewater Football Netball Club. “Graeme was always there when it mattered most.”
Police are investigating the crash. They said emergency services were called to Mortlake-Ararat Road about 7.50pm after reports a truck had left the road and crashed.
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