A search for missing man Ray Speechley organised by his family took place on Saturday west of the Princes Highway, Dalmeny.
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His daughter Nikii Smith said about 45 volunteers searched bush in the vicinity of the power lines but no traces of Mr Speechley were found. Searchers came from as far as Canberra and Eden, and several had expertise as RFS or SES volunteers.
Saturday’s search was not sanctioned or supported by police, but she said she had a number of safety measures in place including the use of UHF portable radios.
“It was amazing and everyone was fabulous,” she said. “They searched just like it was their own dad and were so into it. The whole thing was wonderful and you could not get a better group of people.”
She thanked local IGA and Woolworths supermarkets that supplied food for Saturday’s search, the Narooma Pharmacy for providing a first aid kit at a discount and also Bermagui Equipment Hire for providing a portable toilet.
While no trace of her father was found, she and the other searchers are determined to do another search, the exact location and date yet to be determined.
She said she would continue to update her ‘Help find Ray Speechley’ Facebook page.
Ray, or Raymond, Speechley, 77, was last seen about 4pm on Thursday, July 7, at the IRT Dalmeny aged care facility on Ruth Place, Dalmeny. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and was at the facility on respite.
There was a confirmed sighting of him in the highway construction zone and also a possible interaction with a red sedan possibly a Honda Accord.
There were two official searches of the bush south of Dalmeny by police and local volunteers, one the week after his disappearances and another larger search involving the SES and Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter in August. Click here for more
Anyone with any information, contact Narooma police on 4476 2044 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.