By Mitchell Clarke
Victoria Police is calling on the public to help locate Pakenham Country Women’s Association (CWA) president Carol Clay.
The much-loved 73-year-old Pakenham woman had told friends she was heading away and was expected to return home on Saturday 28 or Sunday 29 March.
It’s believed she’s travelling with a male companion, 74-year-old Drouin man Russell Hill.
Police say Mr Hill left his Drouin home on a touring trip on 19 March and planned to visit various campsites along the Dargo River with his route exiting the region at Dargo on 26 March.
He was making regular check-ins to friends via radio daily between 6 and 6.30pm but was last heard from on 20 March via HF radio, where he advised he was having radio transmission issues.
When he made the call, he was confirmed to be at Wonnangatta Station in the Victorian Alps.
On Friday 27 March, campers found Mr Hill’s vehicle with signs of minor fire damage near Dry River Creek Trak at Billabong (Wonnangatta Valley).
It is not known what the pair is wearing and it is out of character for Russell not to make contact via the radio.
Police hold concerns for the welfare of Ms Clay and Mr Hill due to the amount of time they have been missing and the fact that Mr Hill suffers from medical conditions.
Anyone with any information on the missing pairs whereabouts is urged to contact Sale Police Station on 03 5142 2200.
