Ballarat locals lead community search for missing mum Samantha Murphy

The Ballarat community has shown up in droves for a new community-led search through local bushland for missing mum Samantha Murphy.

About 100 Ballarat locals have launched into a community-led search for Samantha Murphy, scouring park and bushland for any trace of the missing mother.

The search began at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park in the heart of Ballarat before searchers split up into several groups.

Volunteer group Ground Crew has organised a large scale search with volunteers to look for any sign of missing woman Samantha Murphy in bushland near Ballarat where she has gone missing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A Ground Crew volunteer sticks a missing person’s poster on a tree at Ballarat. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy has not been seen since she went out for a run on February 4.

Prospectors combed through bushland in the Canadian State Forest with metal detectors with the hope of finding any items that may have belonged to Ms Murphy.

They inspected the rough and rocky terrain marked by tall grass and dry dirt, splitting off into groups to cover a larger area of land.

Avid mine explorer Kerry Toner said she wanted to aid in the search to bring closure to Ms Murphy’s loved ones.

“We just want to try and help the family,” she said.

Donning a harness, rope and a helmet, Ms Toner said she was prepared to search for clues in all conditions if needed.

“It’s gonna be very hard, especially around here, but maybe we might find (her) phone or any kind of jewellery,” she said.

“It could be virtually impossible, unfortunately, but you’ve got to try. You don’t know until you try.”

Prospectors search the bushland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Volunteers have scoured the area with metal detecting equipment. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

It comes after fresh phone data led police to again scour bushland in Mt Clear on Friday.

Police are not involved in Saturday’s hunt for clues about the 51-year-old mother of two’s suspicious disappearance, which investigators now say could involve one or more people moving her body.

Searchers were on the lookout for earth that has been disturbed throughout mines in the area.

Some searchers brought off road bikes. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Searchers are on foot and bikes. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Organiser Tori Baxter urged people to avoid speculation or discussing wild theories about Ms Murphy’s disappearance, echoing similar calls from police throughout their investigations.

“Language is really important today, there might be some of Sam’s close friends and family here,” Ms Baxter said.

“Please avoid speculative talk or negative talk that could be upsetting to someone that loves this woman or knows her in person.

“We can all agree that we (have) all adored her at some point or some way because weee all here to look for her.”

Raymo Shaw, owner of Victorian Historical Mine Shaft Chasers, said he joined Saturday’s search because mine shafts covers such a vast area in Ballarat that some locations could hold undiscovered clues.

“We’re just hoping for little bit of resolution and to obviously find any items that she (Ms Murphy) may have lost, whether it be clothing, some electrical devices like a watch or an iPhone,” he said.

“I want to get clarification that there’s no one down there by themselves. That’s one of the most important things.

“There’s about 6000 gold mines in and around the Ballarat area.”

Mr Shaw and a team of accompanying mine specialists explored terrain throughout the Canadian state forest.

Volunteers sign up at Saturday’s community-led search for missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Ground Crew members preparing to launch into Saturday’s community search for Samantha Murphy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Shaw said it was crucial to find answers about what happened to Ms Murphy because people should be able to return home safely.

“Everyone wants to come here and they just want to do their bit for the family,” he said.

“Especially for women, I think it’s so important that people come out here to search because you should be able to roam the bush freely, especially young ladies and families and stuff like that.

“The fact that someone might go missing, it’s absolutely unbelievable.”

The community has conducted regular searches throughout Ballarat and surrounding areas since the last sighting of Ms Murphy on February 4 about 7am, when she set off on a run in the Canadian State Forest.

Detectives believes the avid runner may have met with foul play within an hour of leaving her home.