Tuesday marks the second birthday since Zac’s November 2016 disappearance when, according to friends, he suddenly jumped from a mate’s car and ran into bushland at Thornton. 

In what is one of the hardest days of the year for the family, Zac’s mother Karen Gudelj is committed to using the occasion for a positive cause.

They’ll be throwing an open invite party for Zac’s birthday at East Maitland’s Hunter River Hotel, with an emphasis on keeping the search for Zac alive as well as encouraging his mates to speak up if they’re battling.  

“We just want to let his friends know that if they’re struggling with Zac’s disappearance, there is help out there,” Mrs Gudelj said.

Mrs Gudelj said she had been motivated by a spate of youth suicides in the Lower Hunter. 

“I thought, ‘s--t, what’s happening?’” she said. 

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“In the last 18 months I’ve learnt from my own personal struggles that it can be hard to speak to those close to you.

“I’m worried kids feel the same way – do they know there are professionals out there who can help?” 

The family has invited mental health service Headspace to attend and offer their help to any guests who might need it. 

“We know we’re not the only ones struggling with Zac’s disappearance,” she said. 

“Most of the kids (coming to the party) are from Zac’s circle and we just want to let them know that help is there if they need it.” 

She said the good cause was a welcome distraction during what has become one of the most difficult times of the year for the family. 

"It’s like November (when Zac went missing) hits and then we just get back on our feet again and then May hits,” she said. 

“We just want to use these dates in a positive way.” 

It’s the second time they’ve commemorated Zac’s birthday since the apprentice bricklayer’s disappearance.  

Last year they held a similar event with more than 300 in attendance. 

“We had a big event last year with the thought being that if Zac was out there he’d see all these people who love him there,” Mrs Gudelj said.  

Planning for this year’s event started small but numbers quickly snowballed again. 

“It’s a very casual, very informal sort of thing,” she said. 

“If you knew Zach or been involved with his search come down. It’s an open invite. It’ll be good to get as many people there as possible.”  

For more information, visit the Official Family Page – Find Zac Barnes page on Facebook.