The last time Jonathon Manley heard from his 21-year-old son Pip they planned to meet the following day to eat steak and watch the cricket.
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But Pip Manley has been missing since his mother left him at Telarah train station to meet a friend on November 21 last year.
Jonathon Manley appealed to the public yesterday for information about his son’s whereabouts as the search approached the seven-week mark.
Mr Manley said the disappearance was out of character for Pip and there were no warning signs, even on the night he was last seen.
“He was in a good mood. He apologised to his mum for being a bit grumpy and he said ‘I’ll catch up with you later tonight’,” he said.
“I was going to meet up with him the next day at the Belmore Hotel.
“We were going to watch the Gabba Test and have a steak together.
“I just want to know he’s alive and safe, that’s all I want to know.”
Mr Manley said Pip was studying to become an English teacher at the University of Newcastle and lived with his mother and younger brother in Bolwarra Heights.
He said his son was interested in music and was an avid social media user, but his Facebook page had not been touched since the day he disappeared.
“He’s one of those 21-year-olds who is not sure about himself but is a good kid, with lots of friends.
“He likes socialising and that’s the strange thing. None of his friends have seen him since or heard from him.
“We’ve contacted so many people. He’s just disappeared, just vanished.”
Central Hunter local area command crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic said police had spoken to Pip’s friends and looked for possible places he could have gone.
Inspector Zdrilic said there had been no activity on the 21-year-old’s mobile phone or bank accounts since November 21.
“These are all things that are a concern to us. We have grave concerns for his safety,” he said.
“All we want to know is that he is safe and well.”
Last year, 146 people were reported missing in Central Hunter LAC and all but three were found.
Anyone with information about Pip Manley’s whereabouts or what might have happened to him should call Maitland police station on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
