There are now 274 baubles on the tree with the names and ages of those who won’t be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones this year.
It marks the highest number of lives lost in 15 years, since 2008.
There were 35 lives lost recorded in November, marking the worst month on our roads to date this year.
Victoria Police is appealing to motorists to take extra care on the roads over the festive period.
Police will conduct a number of road policing operations throughout December, in an effort to reduce further road trauma.
“Unlike most Christmas trees, this is one we don’t want to see decorated,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“Each bauble on this Christmas tree represents a life lost on our roads this year, with the name and age of the person that’s lost their life.
“It’s a stark reminder of the importance of taking care on the roads.
“Our message is to please, drive safely this festive period.
“I’m really appealing to everyone between now and the end of the year to take care, have conversations with your loved ones as they’re going out on the roads. If you’re in a car, you’ve got a responsibility to make sure you get to you destination safely.
“We want every Victorian to remember Christmas this year for a good reason, not for one of tragedy”.
Major Drug Squad bust at Kamarooka
Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have arrested eight people and seized more than 1.4 tonnes of cannabis as part of an investigation into an Asian organised crime syndicate allegedly cultivating large commercial quantities of cannabis in regional Victoria.
With assistance from the Special Operations Group, Air Wing, Western Region Crime Squad and Brimbank Divisional Response Unit, warrants were executed last week at two large rural properties in Dunluce and Kamarooka, as well as residential addresses in Deer Park and Maryborough.
On Wednesday, November 29, with the assistance of the Air Wing, the Special Operations Group roped into a 40-hectare property on Bendigo-Tennyson Rd in Kamarooka, 21km west of Elmore.
A number of greenhouses containing more than 1800 cannabis plants (weighing about 600kg) in various stages of maturity were found.
Three Vietnamese nationals at the address, a 29-year-old man, a 31-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were all charged with cultivating large commercial quantity of cannabis.
The trio was remanded to appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on March 6.
Organised Crime Division’s Detective Superintendent Dave Cowan said it was a significant result for police.
“The arrest of eight people and the seizure of over $11 million worth of illicit drugs is an enormous win for these regional communities,” Supt Cowan said.
“Drugs are a significant driver of crime and community harm across the state and remain a strong focus for Victoria Police.
“These properties are incredibly remote and there were a number of sophisticated measures in place in an attempt to remain undetected by authorities.
“Organised crime entities living in rural parts of the state who think their distance from the city affords them anonymity or impunity — you are sadly mistaken. You will be held to account no matter where you are. It is as simple as that.”
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