Detectives know who was involved in the street fight in which Sebastiano "Sam" Formica was killed but for 12 years have been unable to lay charges.
They joined the forklift driver's family on Thursday to offer a $1 million reward in an effort to finally solve the case and bring closure to his two sons.
The 38-year-old was stabbed during a brawl outside a pub on Wyndham Street in the regional Victorian centre of Shepparton about 1am on January 22, 2006.
The fight was between Mr Formica and his friends and another group who were known to them, police say.
Six men were interviewed at the time but none were charged.
Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Trichias says there's a strong chance the killer has told someone about the crime or a witness could provide valuable information about their identity.
"We're very close to solving this murder," he told reporters at Shepparton on Thursday.
"This murder is 12 years old now; they really need to come forward and tell us the truth."
Mr Formica's sister Mary, who did not want to give her surname, said she would never forget her older brother's smile.
"We all miss Sam very much," she said.
"He was a gentle giant. He always had one of his kids on his lap."
Mary said she was heartbroken he didn't get a chance to be a father for his two young children.
"He was absolutely stoked when his sons were born and over the moon he could be a dad.
"I wish I could take their pain away but I just can't."
While an arrest wouldn't bring her brother back, Mary said it would offer some closure.
Australian Associated Press
