Mr Shady, a farmer and strong mental health advocate, had stood for Liberal pre-selection in 2016 but this time opted to go alone because he felt his views were a blend of both major parties. His key stance was on improved mental health policy.

A typed letter, left in his letterbox on Friday night, included personal attacks and claims he had been "muddying the waters" in the Liberals' campaign against Labor candidate Catherine King.

"The reason why I shared it was to call it out," Mr Shady told The Courier. "There is no place for that. It's just not on. It's fortunate that I see the funny side of it, and it will make this person look more like a goose. That's the reason I shared it. I could have got home last night and cried and said 'no one likes me'. But [I want to] just call it and stop this bullying."

"Regardless of whichever party you support, there should be no reason to belittle or bully people. To me this is what it is."

Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh, who is overseas on official duties, has repeatedly called for a stop to online trolling and social media abuse of councillors and within the community. Cr McIntosh also posted a public plea on her official Facebook page in March.

Former mayor Des Hudson applauded Mr Shady for calling out what he said was a cowardly attack intended to inflict hurt. Cr Hudson was concerned such barrages of hate would negatively impact on those who were considering a run in public office.

"You do have to be prepare for what you're putting yourself forward into and not be naive," Cr Hudson said.

Cr Hudson, who continues to receive personal criticism for also being a policeman, said it was too easy for people to take cheap hits on civic leaders. He said there needed to be a cultural change to encourage more candidates like Mr Shady to stand and offer different views and options for voters.

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