By Esther Lauaki
The family of an 88-year-old man missing for more than 160 days say they “miss him every day” and want him found.
Police said that Albie Smith hitched a ride with someone in Ballan before disappearing last October.
His distraught family continue to plead for information, conducting flyer drops around the area and a widespread Facebook campaign.
Albie’s granddaughter Joanne thanked the Moorabool community for their support and encouraged residents to keep a lookout.
“Not a day goes by without thinking of my grandfather, likewise for the entire family,” she posted earlier this month.
“It’s been so hard on the family, completely baffled how he has simply disappeared … We miss him dearly.”
Mr Smith was last seen at the Ballan District Health and Care about 5.10am on October 8.
It’s believed he left the facility before 6.30am and was picked up in Old Melbourne Road a short time afterwards.
Officers previously confirmed a witness came forward and said they had picked up Mr Smith on Old Melbourne Road in Ballan on the day of his disappearance and drove him to his friend’s address in Mount Egerton just after 7.30am.
The friend was not home.
The only other reported sighting of Mr Smith placed him at Morrisons Cemetery, where the Mount Doran resident was an unofficial caretaker for several years, on October 9.
Senior Constable Alistair Parsons said officers were still appealing for any information.
He also encouraged all residents of the area to double-check their properties, including sheds and outbuildings.
Anyone with information should phone Ballan police station on 5368 1303.
