By Mitchell Clarke
A team of 30 will continue to search for Pakenham CWA president Carol Clay, missing for 11 days in Gippsland.
Police believe the 73-year-old Pakenham woman left her house on 19 March to go on a “touring trip” with her camping companion, 74-year-old Drouin man Russell Hill.
Ms Clay told friends she was expected to return home on either Saturday 28 or Sunday 29 March but the pair have failed to make contact with their loved ones since 20 March.
Mr Hill planned to visit various campsites along the river and intended to exit the region at Dargo on 26 March.
Inspector Craig Gaffee from the Sale police station said Mr Hill’s white Toyota Land Cruiser was located with “minor fire damage” next to a campsite at the Dry River Creek Track at Billabong on 27 March.
“The car’s not burnt out, there’s been a minor fire in relation to some of their equipment. The car is still serviceable and drivable,” Insp Gaffee said.
Meanwhile, Ms Clay’s car was found parked in the garage of her Pakenham home, but it’s believed she’s in the company of Mr Hill, as some of her possessions were located in his vehicle.
“They’re well-equipped and well-resourced, however because of the time that we haven’t had any contact with them, we do have some concerns,“ Insp Gaffee added.
The search for the pair began on 26 March but has since intensified to about 30 personnel, made up of air wing, dog squad, search and rescue and local police working alongside SES, Parks Victoria and the Mounted Cattleman’s Association.
A staging post has also been set up at Surveyor’s Hut along the Wonnangatta Track.
Inspector Gaffee said Ms Clay and Mr Hill were in “good health“ however police held concerns over their age and the amount of time they’ve been out of contact with family and friends.
“Mr Hill is an experienced camper and knows the area really well however when he does go camping, and he does camp quite often, he maintains daily contact which hasn’t occurred on this occasion,” Insp Gaffee said.
He was last heard from via HF radio on 20 March where he advised he was having radio transmission issues. Prior to that, he was making regular check-ins to friends via radio daily between 6-6.30pm.
“Our intention is to continue the search until we locate them,” Insp Gaffee added.
“We’re certainly working towards that we’re going to locate them alive.”
Ms Clay is a much loved member of the Pakenham community and has served as the president of the local Country Women’s Association (CWA) branch for the last four years.
“We’re a great social issues lobby group with lots of resolutions, we’ve always been political and think at the forefront, we’re not just old women,” Ms Clay told the Gazette in October last year.
“We all love it, we hope we make a difference to the community, we enjoy what we do and we have fun doing it.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sale Police Station on 03 5142 2200.
