Bendigo Mums 4 Mums founder targeted by online trolls

A months-long campaign of cruel and relentless accusations drove Mums 4 Mums to the brink of closing its service for single mums and DV survivors. Find out how the group fought back.

A critical lifeline for single parents and domestic violence survivors was almost shut down following a cruel and relentless campaign against a Bendigo mother.

California Gully resident Sammy Lysaght set up the Mums 4 Mums Bendigo page in 2015 to share supplies and child-rearing war stories with other single parents.

Over the past six years the page has grown to more than 3700 members and last year members dropped off free supplies to 400 Bendigo families in need.

But Ms Lysaght said she considered closing the page in January 2020 after a month of sustained abuse from online trolls.

In December 2019 Ms Lysaght said she began receiving abusive messages and seeing public posts accusing her of stealing the donated items.

After devoting her time, energy and resources to the cause, Ms Lysaght said she was ready to close the page to protect her mental health.

“The social media trolls and troublemakers tried to ruin me,” she said.

“It caused a massive breakdown.”

Mums 4 Mums Bendigo Facebook group admin Debra McMahon. Picture: Contributed

Her friend and fellow Mums 4 Mums administer Debra McMahon said it was harrowing to watch the trolls’ relentless four-week attack on Ms Lysaght.

“It was absolutely sickening what they were saying,” Ms McMahon said.

“They called her everything you could possibly think of … anything that was nasty and cruel.

“They said she takes things and sells it and she takes food and eats it.”

Ms McMahon said the campaign was orchestrated by a “clique” of 12 accounts, defaming Ms Lysaght on public forums and abusing her in private messages.

“People are so nasty when they turn on you, and others are scared (to stand up) because they’ll turn on you too,” she said.

“It was heart breaking watching the most generous, giving person being thrown to the wolves.”

Ms McMahon said the allegations were particularly cruel given how much Ms Lysaght had given up to help other single parents.

“We were using our own cars, our own petrol,” she said.

“I have seen her take food out of her own cupboards (to donate).

“We lost the best person from Mums.”

Mums 4 Mums Bendigo Facebook group admin Debra McMahon. Picture: Facebook

Rather than let the site be shut down the 60-year-old Woodvale resident offered to take over the community group, which she rapidly reorganised to put an end to any future allegations of theft.

Ms McMahon said when Ms Lysaght set up the page, she never imaged it would grow so rapidly or take on so many donations.

“When Sam started it she was just doing it from the goodness of her heart,” she said.

“At no stage she had to think about journaling everything.

Ms McMahon said she now meticulously details each delivery and drop-off.

“I have book work, by God I have book work,” she said.

“Now it’s being run like a business.

“Just with no money,” she added with a laugh.

Mums 4 Mums Bendigo volunteers load donations to be distributed to single parents in need. Picture: Facebook

Ms McMahon said she would continue the honourable work started by her friend, helping desperate single parents or domestic violence survivors and making sure they had enough to keep their children safe, fed and clothed.

“Just handing over a bag of clothes doesn’t seem like a lot but for someone who doesn’t have it, it is everything,” she said.

Ms Lysaght said she was still dealing with the emotional scars a year on from the cyber bullying campaign.

“I’m certainly not that person any more and it re-triggers often,” she said.

Ms McMahon said everyday tasks or app notifications would remind her friend of the online viciousness.

“(Earlier in the year) just seeing the Facebook emblem would send her into a panic attack,” she said.

“She is still struggles getting out in public because of the stress they put her through.”

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