Damian Peter McKenzie

Status:

Open

Missing From:

Marysville, Victoria

Summary:

Damian Peter McKenzie was a 10-year-old schoolboy who disappeared on September 4, 1974, whilst on a youth camp near Marysville in the Australian State of Victoria. A Victorian coroner ruled in May 2026 that he died from exposure to the elements after becoming lost or injured during a hike.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Damian from the Cobden area in Western Victoria, was one of at least 40 children taking part in a five day youth camp being run at the time by the 'Young Australia League' (YAL). The YAL base camp was located beside the Acheron River in Taggerty and it was from here camp participants; including Damian, would be bussed to varying locations to participate in activities. One such activity was a visit to Steavenson Falls at Marysville, where participants would traverse a 700 metre long winding track to the top of the falls to take in the surrounding vistas. On Wednesday the 4th September, 1974, Damian was amongst a group of boys and girls from the camp who visited Steavenson Falls. Reports indicate that whilst traversing the track leading to the top of the falls, Damian is said to have moved ahead of the group some distance, never to be seen again. Newspaper reports of the day would state that Damian disappeared around 11.30 am in the morning, after running off into the bush near Steavenson Falls on the Steavenson River. Young Australia League adult chaperones present were notified of Damian's disappearance and undertook an initial search of the area before contacting police.

Additional Details:

The search undertaken for Damian was one of the largest of its kind in the state's history and involved up to 300 searches drawn from and including Victoria Police personnel, including members' of the Search and Rescue Squad, Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs Search and Rescue Section, St.Johns Ambulance, Civil Defence (now known as the SES), Forestry Commission of Victoria (DWELP), Red Cross and Local Volunteers. Searches were faced with difficult terrain, almost impenetrable scrub and undergrowth and difficult weather conditions, including snow at times. The official search for Damien concluded on 8 September, 1974, with those in charge of the search holding out little hope for Damian's survival. Family, friends' and local volunteers' have continued to search for Damian over the years and sadly no trace of Damian has ever been discovered. Coroner Simon McGregor said in his report, released on May 22, 2026, he was satisfied at some stage during the group's hike, Damian left the long track leading to the top of the waterfall, becoming lost or injured and dying from exposure to the elements. Given the weather conditions, it was likely Damian would have died by September 14, 1974, 10 days after his disappearance. The coroner said there was no evidence to support a finding that any third party was involved in Damian's death. Anthony McKenzie, who was just nine years old when his brother disappeared, said Damian was a "lovely kid" and a wonderful brother to him and Stephen. Damian's father is deceased but his mother Marcia is still alive. While no funeral was ever held for Damian, his memory is preserved on a small plaque affixed to the headstone of his father Peter, who died in 2001.

Case Last Updated:

Nov 02, 2026