The survivor of an alleged death cap mushroom poisoning has spoken publicly six months on from the deadly lunch.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Korumburra pastor Ian Wilkinson became critically ill and his wife Heather, 66, her sister Gail Patterson, 70, and brother-in-law Don Patterson, 70, died after eating a beef wellington meal at the Leongatha home of Erin Patterson on July 29.
Speaking to the Victorian congregation at his local Baptist church on February 11, Mr Wilkinson said it had been "a pretty big week" in his life.
"At the start of the week it was six months since Heather and Gail and Don went to be with the Lord," he said in a recorded video published by the Herald Sun.
"Wednesday was the anniversary day of my induction as pastor. Friday was my birthday; turning 70.
Yesterday was our 45th wedding anniversary. So it's been a pretty big week.
Mr Wilkinson became emotional as he recalled his experience.
"Let me encourage you to keep on going - the way is sometimes hard but God is good," he said.
"He is with us. He promised never to leave or forsake us, and I can say that is true."
Mr Wilkinson spent nearly two months in hospital following the lunch that made national and global headlines.
Erin Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder and is due to face court in May.
The murder charges and two attempted murder charges relate to the lunch on July 29, police said.
The three further attempted murder charges relate to three separate incidents between 2021 and 2022 when it's alleged a Korumburra man, 48, became ill following meals on these dates.
On February 14, Australian Federal Police revealed police dogs had detected a smartwatch, five iPads, a mobile phone and a trail camera, among other electronics at the home of Ms Patterson in November 2023.
