The 19-year-old left his Cessnock home on a motorbike on the evening of June 23, 2016, and has not been seen nor heard from since.

His family has now experienced their first Christmas without the man they describe as a “homebody” and a “wacky, funny character”.

“People have sent loving supportive messages over Christmas, but to be honest, it's been no harder than any other day,” Dylan’s mother Nicole said.

Ms Dickie and Dylan’s sisters Bree and Katelyn went out of town to spend Christmas with family.

“It was the best place to be, by the water, where Dylan was most at peace,” Ms Dickie said.

“We concentrated on the happy good times with him and wacky stories were told, instead of talking about the pain left behind.

“Dylan would not want it any other way.”

Ms Dickie said the hardest part of her son’s disappearance is not having any answers.

A search of Corrabare State Forest found the motorbike, helmet and gloves but forensic analysis of these items failed to find any further clues.

After a renewed plea from his family in September, another two-day search was held in October but no sign of Dylan was found.

“I think the fact it was all so sudden and out-of-character – and that he has never returned or made any contact – has been such a shock to all the family,” Ms Dickie said.

“We can't begin to mourn or move forward until he’s found, in whatever condition he’s in.

“We just want to know, regardless.

“A lot of family members are now suffering depression and sleeping issues, left worrying and wondering where our boy is.

“I constantly feel like part of me is missing, and life will certainly never be the same.

“It’s like a part of my heart left with Dylan that day.

“The pain remains and probably always will ... until we have answers.”  

Dylan's story has been shared as part of the Australian Federal Police’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre ‘Summer of Hope’ campaign.

The AFP will profile long-term missing persons through its social media channels each week this summer to reach as many people as possible.

AFP acting national manager of crime operations, Chris Sheehan appealed for everyone to support the Summer of Hope campaign and use their social networks to help spread the word.

“This holiday season we can all make a difference to the lives of those missing and the families and friends left behind,” Commander Sheehan said.

“I encourage everyone to look at the profiles featured on the AFP Facebook page throughout this period and consider sharing them with your own social media network.

“You or someone you know may have information which could help families reconnect, or solve a long-term missing person’s case.”

Commander Sheehan also encouraged anyone who may be estranged from their loved ones to make contact.

“Going missing is not a crime and making contact does not mean you will need to return home,” he said.

Anyone with information about a missing person case can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.