Round of applause as mushroom lunch survivor returns to Korumburra church

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By Eliza Rugg and Roy Ward

July 20, 2025 — 8.20pm

Pastor Ian Wilkinson made his return to the Korumburra Baptist Church on Sunday for the first time since Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering his wife Heather and Patterson’s former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson.

Nine News reported that Wilkinson spoke briefly to the congregation re-introducing himself and citing the oft-quoted Bible verse from Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

“My name is Ian. I used to lead services here a lot ... and I’m pleased to be back with you again,” Wilkinson reportedly told the congregation before receiving a round of applause.

Wilkinson was the sole surviving guest at a home-cooked lunch prepared by Patterson, which killed his wife Heather and the parents of Patterson’s former husband, Simon Patterson, after they were fed death cap mushrooms.

Nine reported that members of the congregation led special prayers for Heather Wilkinson and Don and Gail Patterson during the service.

Wilkinson made a “miraculous recovery” after a long stint in hospital and attended Patterson’s trial, also giving evidence about the lunch that left him on the brink of death.

Ian Wilkinson returns to the Korumburra Baptist Church for the first time since Erin Patterson was found guilty of murder.

Wilkinson will likely be invited to give a victim impact statement during Patterson’s pre-sentence hearing, which is expected to be scheduled in the coming months.

The Patterson trial put a global spotlight on the Gippsland town and its modest Baptist church. That spotlight remains despite Patterson’s conviction for the murders and attempted murder.

When this masthead visited the church last Sunday, a note was still pinned on the noticeboard that has regularly taken the church’s communications to the world since the deaths in July 2023.

“We greatly miss Heather, Don and Gail, whether we were friends for a short time, or over 20 years. They were very special people who loved God and loved to bless others,” it said.

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