SYDNEY: Sevak Simonian, 21, has now been missing for 11 days. The young Armenian-Australian from Belrose, in Sydney’s north, was last seen at his parents' home at about 8pm on Monday the 20^th of October.

Friends stated he was headed for the Kanangra-Boyd National Park near Oberon, where he is believed to be lost. On the 24^th of October his car was found in the Kanangra Walls Road car park and police believe that Mr Simonian entered the park on October 21 but only had a daypack with him when he disappeared.

Sevak’s brother, Sasoon Simonian, spoke to Armenia Online, saying that his younger brother enjoyed bushwalking but would only go for a day at a time, never as long as 10 days or so.

“He went every now and then," Sasoon Simonian said. "If he had a few days off he would go for a day walk but he would never just disappear, he is very reliable.”

The search party for Sevak Simonian began on Monday but Sasoon says that it has been limited because they need skilled SES volunteers, which there is a shortage of.

“It is frustrating and difficult because we have manpower and there are so many people who want to help but you cant just turn up and start searching, because then you will become the liability.”

On Tuesday 28^th of October, Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith joined the search with his helicopter. He was alarmed when he found out that Sevak had still not been found.

Police had confirmed to Mr Smith that 25 skilled bushwalkers were helping with the search effort but he said there needed to be more.

"The best way to find someone who is lost in the bush is to have lots of people walking in the bush. If you're a bushwalker, a canyoner or a rock climber, get in touch with the police and offer the fact that you could go and also for bosses to give them the time off," he said.

Mr Smith also told the Sydney Morning Herald that bosses should give their employees a day off work to search for Sevak if they are part of the SES.

Sevak’s borther, Sasoon Simonian, couldn’t agree more.

Sasoon Simonian added: “Dick Smith donated $30,000 as part of the search and he was involved for a day looking with his chopper but it is on the authorities to get people into the bush because they have the power.”

To raise awareness, Sasoon has been speaking with Channel 7, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Daily Telegraph, 2UE and 2GB.

“My focus isn’t on the search because I can't do anything," Sasoon told Armenia Online. "I want to raise awareness, to get people out there searching for my brother. I went on 2GB a few days ago, and this morning spoke with Stuart Bocking on 2UE. Channel 7 was yesterday.”

Sevak Simonian’s classmate from Galstaun College, Tomik Torosian, and his peers are also experiencing the same frustration when it comes to looking for their friend, Sevak.

“I personally have spoken to members of the [Armenian] community and with the AYF (Armenian Youth Federation of Australia). I have also spoken to our entire [Galstaun College] class. We want to help but and have made calls and reached out but we are a small group – we need to get resourceful.”

Members of the Armenian community have used social media to raise awareness of Sevak’s disappearance and to find skilled volunteers. The #findsevak campaign has picked up fierce momentum but more experienced hikers are needed.

Australian news presenter George Donikian, SBS football host Les Murray, and CommSec Market Analyst Steven Daghlian have all used the hashtag #findsevak to raise awareness of the campaign and ensure Sevak is found.

Sasoon Simonian feels that more media awareness is paramount to collecting more experienced hikers, and that the media should be doing more at this point.

“The Facebook and Twitter campaigns have been good at raising awareness amongst the Armenian and wider Australian communities," Sasoon said. "We have been putting the word out to the community leaders, such as Vache Kahramanian from the ANC (Armenian National Committee of Australia) and the Armenian Church."

The AYF, ANC and Galstaun College are all in regular contact with SES and NSW Police, obtaining as much information as they can in regards to the search effort and offering their manpower in all ways possible. The main aim of the Armenian community, which Sevak is a valued member of, is to get him home safely.

“To find more skilled volunteers I feel like the media needs to do more. There needs to be a more serious sense of urgency,” said Sasoon.

“We are here on standby and we will do whatever it takes,” said Tomik. "I will not settle with 'he can’t be found'. He’s a human being. Someone from our community is out there and until we find out what happened we need to help in as many ways as possible. They can’t just stop searching for Sevak.”

Below are a number of media releases that have been published since Sevak’s disappearance.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=811204502280619&id=714918578575879&fref=nf

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/twitter-push-to-findsevak-gains-followers-but-police-warn-only-experienced-hikers-can-help/story-fngr8hax-1227107002060

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bosses-should-give-workers-time-off-to-search-for-missing-sydney-man-sevak-simonian-dick-smith-20141029-11dkae.html

http://www.2gb.com/article/ray-hadley-brother-missing-bushwalker