THE only lunch guest to survive the deadly meal of Beef Wellington, laced with death cap mushrooms, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, has stood out like a beacon through the dark process of bringing the perpetrator, Erin Patterson, to justice.
After giving his crucial evidence in the case, as an eyewitness to the family gathering at Erin Patterson’s Leongatha home on Saturday, July 29, 2023, Mr Wilkinson attended every day of the 10-week trial and came back again, two weeks ago to stand up and deliver a heartfelt victim impact statement before a packed Supreme Courtroom in Melbourne.
While he spent much of the time paying tribute to his soul mate, Heather Wilkinson, his wife and constant companion for 44 years, as well as his best friends Don and Gail Patterson, Mr Wilkinson also extended an offer of forgiveness to Erin Patterson, encouraging her to use her time in jail to make herself a better person.
And following Monday’s sentencing hearing, at which Erin Patterson was handed three life sentences for the murders of Heather, Don and Gail, Ian Wilkinson stood up again, not to comment on the proceedings, but to thank those who had helped his family through the ordeal and to follow the example of the health professionals who cared for them by being kind to each other.
When he stopped at the Lonsdale Street exit from the Supreme Court, before the assembled media, Mr Wilkinson said that it wasn’t his intention to make any comment beyond offering some thanks to the police, the prosecution team, the hospital staff who cared for his family and the local community for their support over the past two years.
“My purpose here today is to give some well-earned thanks,” said Mr Wilkinson, with the support of his family members around him.
“Firstly, to the Victoria Police, in particular the Homicide Squad and the team led by Detective Stephen Eppingstall. They made a professional, efficient and effective investigation into what happened at the lunch.
“They brought to light the truth of what happened with the death of three good people.
“We're grateful for their skills that brought this truth to light, and I'm also very grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed us, me and my family, throughout the long process that has brought us to this day.
“They've done a wonderful job.
“I'd like to extend that gratitude too, to the team from the Office of Public Prosecutions, led by Senior Counsel Dr Nanette Rogers. The court processes are a little bewildering to lay people like me, and we're grateful for their expertise, their hard work and their perseverance that has secured this conviction.
“I'd also like to commend them for their kindness and compassion shown to us throughout this long process. They have also done a wonderful job.
“We're also grateful for the staff of the various public health services that played an important role in dealing with the aftermath of the lunch.
“There are so many services and agencies and people involved that I can't start naming names, but please each one, accept my sincere gratitude for the part that you have played in this process.
“We're thankful that when things go wrong, there are good people and services and systems available to help us recover. I'd like to encourage all those involved to keep turning up and serving others.
“Our lives and the life of our community depends on the kindness of others. I'd like to encourage everybody to be kind to each other.
“Finally, I want to say thank you to the many people from across Australia and around the world who, through their prayers and messages of support, have encouraged us.
“I thank the people of the Leongatha and Korumburra communities in particular, your thoughtfulness and care has been a great encouragement to us.
“That's all I wish to say for now. Please respect our privacy as we continue to grieve and heal. Thank you for listening. I hope you all have a great day.”
