Richard Connolly, 7, of Evatt, went missing on a Sunday afternoon from a family picnic at Uriarra Crossing.

Police and Emergency Services began a 20 hour search, combing through the area with the help of army helicopters.

Richard's father, Jim, told The Canberra Times, after his son was found, that Richard had wandered from the family but, once night fell, had found a thick, leafy tree and crawled under it to sleep.

When reunited with his father, Richard had three words to say, "it was freezing".

According to Mr Connolly, Richard had gone missing twice before but had been found within about 20 minutes both times.

"It was nothing compared [with] this" he said.

"There was enough time for the worst outcome to play on our minds."

Search co-ordinator, Sergeant Greg Lovell said it was "absolutely wonderful" that Richard had been found and seemed not to have suffered much, considering the subzero temperature.

He would not comment on the disbanding of the Police Rescue Squad but said a successful operation like this was a "wonderful way" to go out.

See trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127235632