Mushroom deaths Victoria: Korumburra pastor Ian Wilkinson making slow recovery

The family of the man who survived the deadly Leongatha mushroom meal say they remain hopeful as he continues his recovery in a Melbourne hospital.

The fourth person who was left fighting for life after eating a deadly mushroom meal is making a slow recovery in hospital.

Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, remains in a stable condition as of Sunday.

Mr Wilkinson, his wife Heather Wilkinson, her sister Gail Patterson and husband Don Patterson were poisoned at a lunch in Leongatha on July 29.

The lunch, believed to be a beef Wellington dish, was cooked by Mr and Mrs Patterson’s former daughter-in-law Erin Patterson.

Korumburra pastor Ian Wilkinson and his wife Heather Wilkinson.

All three died in hospital last week as police revealed Ms Patterson prepared separate meals for she and her two children who were at the lunch.

In a statement, Mr Wilkinson’s family confirmed he was in a “critical but stable condition”.

“We are hopeful and continue to pray for his recovery,” they said.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Austin Hospital for their unwavering

care and support during this challenging time.

“The expertise, dedication, and compassion of the medical team have been a beacon of hope for us.”

The family said they were “deeply moved” by the support of the community.

“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness, prayers, and support

from friends, family, and the broader community,” they said.

“Your thoughts and well-wishes have been a source of strength and comfort to us all.”

The family declined to comment on whether Mr Wilkinson had received a liver transplant, requesting privacy to care for him “without public intrusion”.

Don and Gail Patterson passed away after ingesting poisonous mushrooms. Picture: Supplied

About 50 parishioners gathered at the church on Sunday to pray for the couples.

All seven rows remained full for the entire one-hour service.

Church leader Laurie said Mr Wilkinson’s health was slowly improving.

“There is a slight reduction in the number of support that Ian is undergoing,” he said.

“We’ll take that as encouragement … he remains in a stable condition so we are praying that things are improving, we’ll hang onto that.”

Laurie said grief had flooded through the tight-knit community in different ways for the couples known as the “Fab Four”.

“This morning there are four of our church family that aren’t with us,” he said.

“Three are at rest with the Lord and Ian remains in critical care.

“Times like this it is suggested we get used to a new normal but it’s more like a new different. Things are not the same, certainly not normal.

Korumburra Baptist Church parishioners gather after the tragedy. Picture: Ian Currie

“The grief that we share and feel, we sense it, you can touch it.

“We all experience these emotions and we experience them in different ways and in different depths because our relationship, our connection with the family can be from casual … to deep long-term personal relationships and a whole range in between.”

Laurie said the church had received messages of support from across the world.

“The prayer support has gone well beyond this church and the other churches in this town,” he said.

“We sincerely thank them for their messages of prayers and encouragement and letters and flowers.

“It shows that the community is sharing this journey as well.

“Messages are coming from across the globe which is just fantastic, very, very encouraging.”

Ian Wilkinson’s wife, Heather Wilkinson, also passed away after eating the mushrooms at the lunch.

Laurie asked parishioners to not speak to the media who were waiting outside the church.

“There may be media outside … the family have respectively asked, these guys are down, they are doing their job, that’s OK but let’s be respectful and pass by without any comment,” he said.

“The family has asked that we refrain from undergoing any further interviews, they will handle it.”

In a church newsletter handed to parishioners, a note from a family member of the victims thanked the community.

“Please pass on our sincere thanks to our church family for all the prayers and support,” it read.

“We truly appreciate the care and kindness and feel upheld by love.”

The newsletter also urged parishioners to pray for the Wilkinson and Patterson families “as they continue to deal with their grief under such public scrutiny”.

Both families have kept tight-lipped following the deaths, hiring a media adviser to handle requests from journalists.

Another message in the newsletter said there was a feeling of “angst” in the community.

“We recognise that, behind the sadness of it all lies the media attention and police investigation which must only add further angst that so many are feeling,” it read.

The local Catholic Church will hold a day of prayer for Mr Wilkinson on August 19.