Until two years ago, amateur prospector Dianna Jacobson had never heard of Daryl Floyd or his missing brother Terry.
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During a prospecting weekend in 2016, Ms Jacobson, better known as Dusty, stumbled across a fenced-off excavation site at the Morning Star Mine at Bung Bong Hill, near Avoca.
Soon after she saw television news coverage of the search of that same mine for the remains of Maryborough boy Terry Floyd, who disappeared – presumed murdered – in 1975. The disused mine is strongly believed to be the final resting place of the then 12-year-old.
So touched by the story, Ms Jacobson tracked town Terry’s brother Daryl via Facebook and offered to volunteer her time and equipment in the search.
Ms Jacobson is one of dozens of volunteers helping Mr Floyd look for his brother’s remains. Terry disappeared from the corner of the Pyrenees and Sunraysia highways on June 28, 1975. In 2001, a coroner determined Terry was abducted and murdered, but his body has never been found.
In recent years, the mine search has yielded clothing fragments, including a piece of a cardigan sleeve and elastic from boy’s underwear, a leather shoe, buttons and a silver necklace, all believed to be worn by Terry the day he disappeared.
And Ms Jacobson, who regularly travels the 90 minutes from Mortlake to Avoca to take part in the search, has been responsible for the discovery of two buttons, a small press stud and a shoe lace eyelet.
The prospector said it was hard to explain the emotions she felt when discovering items significant to the case.
“I have mixed emotions … I’m happy I have found them, but there’s also a heartbreaking element,” she said.
“I became involved (in the search) because I was disgusted there were no other hobby prospectors offering their time.”
Ms Jacobson said she was touched by the determination of Daryl Floyd. “Not only is Daryl a determined man, he is one of the strongest people I know. He’s an inspiration and everyone’s rock.”
Ms Jacobson said she would encourage other prospectors to become involved in the search.
A $1 million reward is being offered for information in the case, which has haunted the Floyd family for four decades.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.