Hope in the search for missing 11 yo Luke Shambrook as his beanie is found.

As police enter day five of the search for 11-year old Luke Shambrook in central Victoria a dropped beanie provides the first clue into the whereabouts of the missing boy.

It is now day five of the search for a missing 11-year old.

A day his family – and the nation – pray brings the young boy back.

A day when our minds can’t help but turn to the fact that 11-year old Luke has been alone for four nights without food and shelter.

A day when the nation holds its collective breath and we turn to whatever brings us strength and ask for this boy to be found safe.

11-year old Luke Shambrook and his family were camping at Candlebark Campground, near Lake Eildon in Victoria’s north-east for the Easter weekend.

At 9.30 on Good Friday Luke, who has autism, wandered away from his family. He was wearing a scarf, dark grey tracksuit pants and grey boots and a black windcheater and a beanie for warmth.

The family had camped in the area several times before and were there celebrating the holiday with grandparents, cousins and other relatives.

After the alarm was raised police, SES and volunteers began the search for Luke.

Sergeant Greg Paul said that the best searchers in the state were looking for the boy.

“We are concerned for his welfare. We are not knocking any possibility out at this stage.

“There are a lot of resources being thrown at this.”

On Sunday there was talk of a sighting but after a wide-scale search using aircraft and infrared technology, police found no trace of him.

Luke’s preoccupation with water has made dams and waterways a focus within the search area, as well as mine shafts.

But there is a complicated factor – Luke has limited speech and loves to hide which may mean he will not respond to volunteers calling out his name.

Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Ralph Willingham told media that there was no evidence to suggest an abduction – that Luke simply wandering away from the Candlebark Campground.

“We are turning our mind to other circumstances that may have resulted in his disappearance, but there is nothing at all to indicate that we need to go down that line,” he said.

Then last night, finally hope – with a beanie belonging to the boy found between Devil Cove and Candlebark campsites.

As the search resumes this morning hundreds of volunteers reflect the thoughts of the nation, desperate for news of Luke.

Many volunteers have been there since Friday – some know the family – others just felt they needed to help.

One man, Andrew Turnbull told the ABC that he too was a high functioning autistic.

He went to the area from Melbourne to see if he could lend a hand.

“I used to go missing myself … when I was his age. I did the same thing, so I’m going to join in and see if I can find him,” Mr Turnbull said.

“I thought if it was me I’d just keep going, maybe stay near the water, possibly go down hill.”

Yesterday Luke’s family released a statement thanking police, the SES and all the volunteers.

“We continue to express our thanks to all involved in searching for Luke. Everyone’s ongoing involvement and support is overwhelming and still greatly needed.”

As the search enters its fifth day there are growing concerns over the weather with cold temperatures and rain forecast.

Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Walker  yesterday said they held out hope they would find Luke safe.

“He does suffer from autism but … he’s resilient”

Messages of support for Luke’s family can be left on the Facebook page of his family’s church.