By ANEEKA SIMONIS and LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Council will invite Luke Shambrook and his family to a mayoral reception after the 11-year-old was found just before noon on Tuesday, following his disappearance from a camp site near Lake Eildon four days earlier.
The Narre Warren boy, who has autism, hadn’t been seen since he disappeared from Candlebark Camping Area in Fraser National Park at 9.30am on Friday 3 April.
He was found off Skyline Road by police helicopters at 11.55am on Tuesday 7 April.
Luke’s parents Tim and Rachel Shambrook, who were involved in the push for opening Officer Specialist School, were joined in the search for their son by an extensive search team made up of emergency crews and volunteers including fellow members of the Berwick Church of Christ.
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon on Tuesday night urged the City of Casey to hold a mayoral reception for Luke and his family as a matter of urgent business.
She said it was every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a child.
“How he survived four nights out there is nothing short of a miracle,” Cr Stapledon said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin, who met Luke and his family at a campaign to build the recently opened specialist school, posted Facebook updates about the search on behalf of the family.
“He’s a lovely young kid,” said Mr Battin, who was relieved to hear of his recovery.
Luke was transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital for medical treatment soon after being discovered.
