The search for an 11-year-old boy missing on a 150-acre farm north-west of Melbourne has ended after the boy returned home safe and well last night.
An air and ground search was launched at Strathewen after the boy's family raised the alarm.
Walter Adams went to bed at about 8:00pm on Sunday but was gone when his mother came to get him ready for school on Monday morning, police said.
Inspector Simon Rainey said Walter's sister had noticed he was missing from his bed about 6:00am, but police were not sure exactly when he left.
"We suspect he's gone out to check his farm property, which is about 150 acres, and he may have gone out to check on the welfare of a calf," Inspector Rainey said.
Police used heat-sensing technology, helicopters, dogs and mounted officers to search the Beale Avenue property on Monday, amid concerns about cold, wet weather forecast overnight.
Inspector Rainey said Walter's school community had also come to join volunteers in the search, which was being coordinated out of the local sports centre.
He said Walter was a "very experienced farm lad" who had lived on the property all his life and had never gone missing before.
"He's a happy and healthy young lad," he said.
Police said the boy was located safe and well after returning home about 11:30pm.
He was checked by Ambulance Victoria and was given the all clear.
