Deadly mushroom lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson delivers first sermon

Melissa Meehan
AAP
It's been seven months since the deadly mushroom lunch, Erin Patterson is in prison and Ian Wilkinson pays tribute to his family.

The sole survivor of a deadly mushroom lunch that killed three people has spoken publicly for the first time, thanking God for never leaving him.

Ian Wilkinson, 70, gave his first sermon since his recovery from the deadly lunch to a congregation at Korumburra Baptist Church, in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, on February 11.

An emotional Mr Wilkinson described the preceding week as being “pretty big” citing six months since the deaths of his wife and friends, his own 70th birthday and what would have been his 45th wedding anniversary.

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“The ways are sometimes hard, but God is good. He’s with us,” Mr Wilkinson told his congregation in footage published by the Herald Sun.

“He promised to never leave ... and I can say, that is true.”

Don Patterson and Gail Patterson who died in hospital after eating a meal suspected to have contained poisoned mushroom.
Don Patterson and Gail Patterson who died in hospital after eating a meal suspected to have contained poisoned mushroom. Credit: SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE

Mr Wilkinson spent almost two months in hospital critically ill from alleged poisoning following the lunch at Erin Patterson’s Leongatha home on July 29.

He was one of four people who fell ill after the lunch.

His wife Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail Patterson and brother-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, all died after the meal.

Erin Patterson, 49, was charged with three counts of murder in November.

Heather Wilkinson, left, died after the lunch while her husband Ian spent almost two months in hospital critically ill.
Heather Wilkinson, left, died after the lunch while her husband Ian spent almost two months in hospital critically ill. Credit: Unknown/ Unknown
Erin Patterson hosted the lunch and has denied any wrongdoing.
Erin Patterson hosted the lunch and has denied any wrongdoing. Credit: 10news/supplied

She is also accused of attempting to murder Mr Wilkinson.

Police will allege she attempted to murder her ex-husband Simon Patterson four times between November 2021 and July 2022.

Erin Patterson has denied any wrongdoing and is remanded in custody to appear in court on May 3.

A police officer and dog at the property of Erin Patterson in Leongatha.
A police officer and dog at the property of Erin Patterson in Leongatha. Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

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