Bribie Island missing person Marian Wallace moved to Embracia nursing home days before going missing

JUST days after moving into a Queensland nursing home, Marian Wallace went missing. Now grave fears are held for the woman, who is yet to be found.

MISSING person Marian Wallace had only been at Embracia nursing facility, Bribie Island, for a few days before going missing on Sunday.

Police and her family now hold grave fears for Ms Wallace, a “severe dementia” sufferer.

Police are concentrating their efforts on finding the woman and are not yet speculating on how she disappeared from the nursing facility.

Embracia chief executive officer Wally Bourdelov said in a statement they were “assisting police” in the matter.

“On Sunday, as soon as her absence was identified, staff immediately followed mandated protocols, notifying the authorities and initiating a search of the building and surrounding area.”

Bribie Island police officer-in-charge David Crawford-Raby said that was their last confirmed sighting was made about 8.30am Monday near the Bribie Island arts centre at Sunderland Drive, nearly 3km from her home at the Goodwin Drive facility.

“We are extremely concerned for her welfare,” Acting Inspector Crawford-Raby said.

He maintained police were still in a rescue phase of the investigation.

“This is still firmly a rescue operation, we are continuing to revisit the tracks and bush land around Sunderland Drive.”

When last seen, Ms Wallace had been wearing an aqua jacket and carrying a black bag.

The 71-year-old, known as “Mim” or “Mimmie”, had been concerned about the move and was distressed to leave her two dogs behind, according to her family.

Stepdaughter Sue Harrison, Ms Wallace’s main carer before the move, said her mother was a strong and wiry woman, who loved the bush and animals.

Police are still conducting extensive searches of Bribie Island and have focused most of their efforts on Bellara and Banksia Beach.

Sergeant Jimmy Driver, coordinating the search at the arts centre, said water police, volunteer marine rescue, SES and community members had been assisting.

“We’ve got to leave no stone unturned, we’ve got to retrace every step. The canals have been comprehensively searched top to bottom ... all around Banksia Beach and Bellara.”

Police divers have also searched the Pumicestone Passage and police have monitored the bridge camera.

They have found no trace that she has left the island.

Police want to hear from anyone who has seen Ms Wallace or may have given her a lift.

They say she may appear confused, or completely lucid.

“If they could please ring police immediately, or contact Crime Stoppers,” Acting Inspector Crawford-Raby said.

Daughters Ms Harrison and Sian Jamison said their mother had a number of grandchildren missing their “Mimmie”.

“Mimmie, come on home,” Ms Harrison said.