National Missing Persons Week, now in its 30^th year, highlights the plight of missing persons and their families and friends in the hopes of reducing the incidence and impact of missing persons.

Minister for Police and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has called for anyone with information that could help police locate a missing person to come forward. 

Approximately 38,000 people are reported missing nationally, 98 per cent of which are located often within a week. However, there are more than 2,600 people listed as long-term missing persons in Australia. 

Across the region, five people are on the National Missing Person register. Jessica Small, Andrew Russell and Janine Vaughn from Bathurst, Peak Hill man Max William Day and Robert Dickie from Elong Elong are all on the register. 

Mr Dickie, 73, was last seen on June 14, 2016 in Elong Elong, around 44 kilometres east of Dubbo.

Mr Dickie’s is described as being Caucasian in appearance with a medium complexion, 174cm tall with a thin build, grey hair and brown eyes.

He was described as having a tattoo of skull and crossbones on his upper left arm, a tattoo of a snake and dagger, devil and eagle, tiger and panther on his right arm and a tattoo of the Australian flag on his chest. 

He was last seen two years ago when he left his home on Wattle road, Elong Elong wearing a . Mr Dickie did not return as planned and was reported missing. 

As Minister for Police Mr Grant said there is a common misconception in the community that you need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. 

“If you have fears for the welfare of someone you know and are unable to locate them, don’t hesitate in contacting the police, do it straight away,” Mr Grant said.

“For most people the thought of a loved one going missing is too much to bear, but this is the awful reality for many families.

“Hopefully by bringing attention to the many Australians who have mysteriously disappeared either recently or in years gone by, some of these cases can be solved.”

If you have any information that may assist police to locate a missing person please call Dubbo police station on 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you, or anyone you know are dealing with a missing loved one, specialist counselling and support from trained professionals is available from the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit. Contact them on 1800 227 772.

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