Last seen: Late 2005
Year of Birth: 1936
Sex: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Height: 175cm
Build: Slim
Complexion: Tanned
Circumstances: Paule Laba was last seen at his mining lease campsite in Woodstock near Winton QLD on November 4th 2005. Paule’s vehicle was located in poor condition in remote country near Woodstock, on Boolbie Station. No further contact has been made with family or friends.
January 27, 2006 - ISSUED AT 4:45AM
Search for missing man, Winton QLD
Police are searching for a 76-year-old opal miner, Paul Laba who was last seen
on November 4, 2005 in the Winton area.
Police have concerns for Mr Laba’s welfare after they located his abandoned
vehicle on Boolbie station on November 4, 2005.
Fears for the man’s safety have grown after Winton police and SES personnel
failed to locate him despite conducting a search on motorbike of the Woodstock
property.
Mr Laba is believed to frequently move around camp sites in the Winton area
which have made it difficult for police to confirm his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 178cm tall, olive complexion,
of slim build with short brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations
should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police fear for missing miner
Monday, 30 January 2006. ABC
Winton police are appealing to the public for assistance over the disappearance
of a well-known local opal miner.
Paul Laba, 76, has not been seen since his abandoned car was found on Boolbie
Station in early November last year.
A search of the area failed to located him.
Senior Constable Jeremy Lambert says anyone with information should contact
police.
"This property owner has found some of his tracks walking to his fence line and
then that's where the tracks have been lost," he said.
"We went out and had a look at his vehicle, it looks like he's damaged the
radiator of his car and he's removed that radiator and taken it with him.
"We actually located the radiator - we believe he was carrying about 10
kilometres from the roadway ... [we are] unable to find any sign of him from
that area."
Missing Winton man
Last updated 13/06/2006
QLD Police continue to search for a 76-year-old Winton man who has not been seen
since December last year.
Paul Laba was reported missing by concerned family and friends to the Winton
Police Station in late January.
Mr Laba is an opal miner who has been in the area for over 20 years and was
living on a cattle property 120 kilometres west on Winton.
He was last seen in Winton in early December. Police enquiries have yet to
locate him.
Police believe he may have traveled interstate, possibly to the Northern
Territory, to visit friends in the Opal industry.
Mr Laba is asked to contact either his family or friends in Winton.
He is 180cm tall, of Caucasian appearance, has a tanned complexion, a thin build
and grey hair.
Anyone with information which could assist police locate Paul Laba should
contact the Winton Police Station on 4657 1200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333
000.