The search for a Ballarat woman who failed to return home after her regular Sunday morning run is entering its fourth day in an area of Victoria littered with thousands of disused mine shafts.

Friends and loved ones of 51-year-old Samantha Murphy remain hopeful she will be found soon and said they were encouraged by the outpouring of community support in the effort to find her.

“The main thing I’ve seen is on social media. Everyone has shared and shared it,” Ballarat local and friend Chris Stapleton said. 

“My husband and I thought we’d come out [to search] because if it happened to any of my children or daughters we would hope the community would be out as well. It’s just so sad.

Ms Murphy’s friend and director of the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts, Paula Herman, encouraged everyone who was able to join the search effort.

“Samantha is a woman you can count on for anything, especially for her three gorgeous children who she loves fiercely,” she said. 

“She supports them in all of their endeavours and as a family they sign up to be involved in every event and performance they can.

“Samantha is a wonderful help backstage at shows and looks after not only the children in her care, but the other adults around her to ensure that everybody is well cared for and happy.”

Police have described Ms Murphy’s disappearance as out of character as she was familiar with the trails she intended to run and walked or ran in the area every day.

The hot weather on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius in Ballarat, has increased concern for her welfare.

Search expanded 

Dozens of community members have already joined the search effort, combing through bushland in Woowookarung Regional Park and around Buninyong.

Forest Fire Management Victoria, CFA, SES, and Victoria Police’s dog squad, mounted branch, solo unit, and air wing are supporting the official search led by police search and rescue.

The search area expanded to areas including bushland around Black Hill, Brown Hill, and Nerrina yesterday afternoon.  

Victoria Police previously said the search area was based on data from Ms Murphy’s phone and areas she was known to run.

Ms Murphy’s phone was on and with her when she disappeared.

It is not known what informed the expansion of the search area to Black Hill, but Victoria Police said the search area was “fluid” with police responding to particular areas when and where needed.

Hope of finding Samantha alive  

Day four of the search resumed at first light today with still no trace of Ms Murphy’s whereabouts.

Victoria Police said the search and rescue unit is grateful for the multitude of community volunteers who have joined the search effort. 

People who want to help are advised to read the public information board at the front of the Buninyong Police Station in Scott Street which contains information on suggested search areas. 

Police are urging volunteers to pair up, ensure they have water and a phone, and not to put themselves or others at risk.

Ms Murphy is described as Caucasian, about 173 centimetres tall, of slim build, and with shoulder-length blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing black exercise leggings and a brown singlet.

Anyone who sees Ms Murphy, or has information on her whereabouts, should contact CrimeStoppers, or triple-0.