Michael, which he is being called to protect his identity, is a man in his 40s who lives in the Ballarat region.

November 30 was a Friday night - a night which has haunted him ever since - and Michael was helping out with his church's youth program.

Michael was tasked with picking up the youth members prior to the program and then dropping them home afterwards.

About 12.30am, Michael had dropped one female youth home in Melton West.

Whilst travelling down Linlithgow Way, Michael and his remaining 21-year-old passenger came across a man, holding a baseball bat, standing outside a vehicle in the middle of the road.

Immediately, Michael knew that something was not right. Seconds later, he saw the man draw a gun and then heard the ear splitting sound of bullets hitting his red sedan.

While it was not an area he was overly familiar with, adrenaline kicked in.

He started to drive away, but the vehicle - which police believe to be a white coloured Holden Commodore HSV club sport - pursued him around the streets of Melton for what he remembers as a significant amount of time.

"It was like a police chase in a movie. I realised they were trying to hunt me down," Michael said.

Then, reaching the intersection at Centenary and Coburns roads, shots were fired again. This time, the shots struck Michael in the face.

"I was going around the roundabout the right way, and they went around the other way," he said.

As a result, the offenders had positioned themselves directly in front of him, with a gun pointed in his direction.

"I stopped for one second and that's when they shot me. I heard the smash through the window and then I saw the bullet hole in my chin."

Hear Michael speak here:

With blood coming out of his mouth and splattered all over the window, Michael put his foot on the pedal, with the safety of his young passenger at the forefront of his mind.

"From that point on I really took off," Michael said. "I had no idea of where I was going but I knew if I headed towards the highway, there was a petrol station, and that was my best hope of survival."

His passenger, who was uninjured, was able to call police as they sped through the streets in an effort to evade the pursuing vehicle.

"I was talking to the police as I was driving. I knew that I was travelling at a very high speed, over speed humps."

Despite his own injuries, Michael's priority was to get to safety not only to save his own life but that of his passenger.

"I wanted to get to safety to save this girl as well," he said. "She had a whole life ahead of her so to make sure she was safe was one of my main priorities."

Arriving at the petrol station on the Melton Highway, with blood streaming from the wound, Michael was petrified.

"I didn't know if I was still being followed. When I walked into the petrol station, I had blood pouring out of me."

Rushing into the building with his passenger, they made a beeline for the toilets.

"I ran into the toilets. I didn't know if the gunman was going to come in there and start shooting. At that point I was so traumatised."

Police arrived soon after and Michael was transported to hospital with serious injuries. Losing consciousness in hospital, he thought it was the end of his life.

He was placed in an induced coma, in which he remained for four days.

"It was the hardest time of my whole life. I could see visions of guns. Doctors having guns pointing into my head. People pouring fire on the ground. I couldn't trust anyone, I was so frightened," he said.

Michael lives with significant physical and mental injuries as a result of the incident.

As a result of the shooting, he sustained a smashed jaw. A plate has been inserted, but he still has bullet shrapnel in his jaw and a permanent scar to remind him of what occurred.

"The pain is constant, everyday. People don't know how much pain I am going through. I've never drunk in my life, but it nearly turned me to the point of wanting to."

He also sustained significant mental trauma. From being a very trusting person before, he now lives in fear.

He is especially fearful every time he climbs into his car and sets off on the road, of who is behind him.

"I was a very trusting person but now I've lost that trust for people," he said.

One question that plays on his mind everyday is "why me?"

He has struggled to understand why he has been a victim of such a violent crime, when he spends his days trying to help others.

On Wednesday, Victoria Police announced a reward of up to $250,000 will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting.

As a Christian man, Michael has forgiven his attacker.

"People are just trying to survive. Hate is not the way to get through, show love. I have forgiven the man, that is the best that I can show. That I am stronger, that I can show forgiveness and love for people.

"It has affected my life but the best I can do is to show that I am stronger and can show forgiveness."

Michael said that for him, he just wants the question of why he was targeted to be answered.

"I just want to know why. Every time I shave, I cut my scar. Every time I stretch my neck," he said. "I have a memory that has haunted me and will probably never go. I have to live with this for the rest of my life."

While a number of warrants have been executed in the process of the investigation, police are yet to find answers.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said there was nothing in Michael's history that indicated he was the target of the shooting, and investigators were at a loss as to what the motive was.

While keeping an open mind, investigators believe there are most likely two people involved.

Police do not have sufficient evidence to charge anybody in relation to the shooting.

Believing the offenders have definitely shared what they did, they hope the reward may be enough for somebody to come forward with "the last piece of puzzle".

"We need to find answers for him as there is no reason this man was the target of a shooting," he said.

"The victim in this matter was millimetres from sustaining fatal wounds and we want to get these people off the streets."

In appropriate cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions may consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.

Any payment of a reward will be subject to the applicant signing a deed of confidentiality prior to payment.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.