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In April 1977, Bev Roberts was anxiously awaiting the Easter Long Week end. Her younger

brother Russell Martin had abruptly left town earlier that year, leaving behind his wife

and four young children. It wasn't out of character for Russell to take off from time

to time, but he always kept in touch. This time, no one had heard from him.

Russell was born and raised in the small regional town of Stahl, in Victoria's West.

Stahl meant a lot to the 31-year-old. The heritage Gold Rush era township prospered

during the 1850s mining boom, attracting a population of more than 30,000 people. When

the yields were no longer commercially viable by the mid-1920s, the population began to

dwindle. Those who remained were small town families, farmers and retirees. Those who

preferred a quiet way of life among a close-knit community.

By the 1970s, the population of Stahl was around 6,000 residents, many of whom struggled

to find steady employment. Most of the manufacturing industries had closed, and the railway

...