Wednesday, 10 March, 2021
Pakenham
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Community effort saves their big day
Long-awaited health hub on the way
Shock loss of a sporting character
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SPORT 12483474-SN09-21
Opinion divided on dining out initiative
Not puzzle piece By Gabriella Payne
Missing Pakenham CWA stalwart Carol Clay. torian Alps, but since then there has been no word from the duo. Police have conducted extensive searches over the past year throughout the area and are appealing to the public to assist them in identifying one remaining unknown vehicle. While the exact make and model of the car is unknown, it is described as being a white dual cab ute and although there is nothing to indicate that the mystery vehicle’s occupants had anything to do with the duo’s disappearance, police believe they may have witnessed something that could assist them in their investigation. Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper urged
Russell Hill with his drone. anyone with information, no matter how big or small, to come forward. “It might seem like only a very small possibility that those in the white ute will have information about Russell and Carol’s disappearance, but we can’t afford to leave any stone unturned,” Detective Stamper said. “We cannot leave any ‘what ifs’ when it comes to an investigation like this. I appreciate this is not an especially uncommon vehicle, however if you or someone you know with a white dual cab ute was in the Wonnangatta area around 20 March last year, then we need to hear from you,” he said. Detectives are also keen to speak with any-
12480396-SG05-21
Will &
one who may have been in the area at the time of Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s disappearance, including campers, 4x4 trippers, hunters, fishermen or trail bike riders, even if they believe they didn’t see anything of use. The case remains shrouded in mystery, as police are still yet to identify whether the pair’s disappearance is suspicious or not. Anyone who sights Russell Hill or Carol Clay is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately. Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance or who can provide information about the white dual cab ute is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
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12454762-DL38-20
A drone that was handed in to police as a new piece of evidence over the weekend in relation to the case of missing local campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, raised hopes for investigators, but breaking news has revealed that it is not the missing piece of the puzzle police were hoping for. There were hopes that this new clue would provide vital information to police as they continue their search for the missing pair, but after thorough police review, it was found not to be the case. The two campers from Drouin and Pakenham vanished without a trace in March last year, after last being seen heading on a camping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley, north-east of Melbourne. It was reported that Mr Hill had taken his DJI Mavic drone with him on the camping trip, which we now know has still not been found. A spokesperson from Victoria Police confirmed that investigators from the missing persons unit had received a drone over the long weekend, but by Tuesday 9 March, had determined that it was not the device they were looking for. “Missing person squad detectives have determined that a drone handed in to an East Gippsland police station is not the DJI Mavic drone belonging to Russell Hill,“ the spokesperson said. “Despite this, investigators will continue to analyse the drone to determine its origins.“ It’s now almost a year on since the duo’s mysterious disappearance occurred, and police are still urging potential witnesses to come forward, particularly in their search for an unknown white, utility vehicle which may provide some answers in the unusual case. On Thursday 19 March 2020, Mr Hill left his home in Drouin in his white Toyota Landcruiser and picked up Ms Clay from her home in Pakenham, before the pair headed off to Victoria’s high country. Both Mr Hill and Ms Clay, aged in their 70’s, were last heard from the following day, when Mr Hill communicated via HF radio that they had made it to Wonnangatta Valley in the Vic-