Reports today that community volunteers seeking to join the search for a missing boy in the Yarra Ranges are being turned away due to COVID-19 restrictions must be immediately addressed by Daniel Andrews.
14-year-old Launching Place boy William Wall has been missing in Victoria’s Yarra Ranges for more than 24 hours, having failed to return from a regular walk on the Warburton Trail at 6:45 am yesterday.
Victorians understand the value of local volunteers in searches such as this, with missing boy William Callaghan found on Mount Disappointment in June by a volunteer local resident with an intimate knowledge of the area.
Daniel Andrews must urgently intervene and allow local community volunteers to assist in the search for William Wall.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police & Community Safety, David Southwick:
“Whilst our police and emergency services perform an excellent job in cases such as these, residents with invaluable local knowledge must be allowed to assist.
“A community effort led to the safe location of Will Callaghan on Mt Disappointment only months ago and must the same successful approach must occur here.”
Comments attributable to Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish:
“It is disappointing that volunteers were discouraged from helping with the search. Common sense needs to prevail and allow the many families and friends who live locally to assist.”
