Mushroom lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson returns to church after Patterson guilty verdict
Jack Colantuono
, ABC
Ian Wilkinson is the pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, located in the Victorian region of South Gippsland.
Photo:
ABC News: Danielle Bonica
Mushroom lunch survivor and pastor Ian Wilkinson has made his return to the Korumburra Baptist Church for the first time since Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering his wife.
A Supreme Court jury found Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after serving
beef wellington dishes laced with death cap mushrooms
at her Leongatha home in July 2023.
In his sermon on Sunday, Wilkinson gave everyone a warm welcome, including those visiting from interstate and watching online, and was applauded by the congregation.
Ian Wilkinson (left) was the only guest to survive the lunch. His wife Heather Wilkinson, and Don and Gail Patterson all died from suspected mushroom poisoning.
Photo:
ABC / Supplied
"Somebody's come all the way from Brisbane to be with us today," Wilkinson said.
"And we have some other visitors too.
"I should introduce myself… my name is Ian; I used to lead services here.
"And I'm pleased to be back with you again."
The light-hearted moment was met with laughter from the congregation, before it was straight back to business for Wilkinson, who began the service by reading psalms and announcing upcoming events in Korumburra.
Later in the service, a church member delivered a prayer.
"We pray especially for the Wilkinson and Patterson families," she said.
Wilkinson did not break his silence on the outcome of the Erin Patterson trial.
After eating the beef wellington at Erin Patterson's house, Wilkinson spent a number of weeks recovering in hospital.
Erin Patterson arriving in the back of a prison transport vehicle at Latrobe Valley Magistrate's Court in Morwell, Australia.
Photo:
AFP / MARTIN KEEP
Patterson was
found guilty of murdering
her parent-in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of her husband Mr Wilkinson by a jury earlier this month.
Patterson, 50, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court the poisonous mushrooms were accidentally included in the meals she served to four relatives in 2023.
Patterson, who was expected lodge an appeal of the guilty verdict, will be sentenced at a later date.
The trial lasted more than two months, and the jurors heard from more than 50 witnesses.
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