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Erin Patterson’s trial will continue on Thursday with the first of the witnesses to give evidence
Follow day two of the Erin Patterson trial here.
Defence counsel Colin Mandy, SC, has finished his opening response to the jury.
Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale has once again reminded the 15-person jury that the opening addresses from both parties are not evidence.
He has now dismissed the jurors for the day.
Defence counsel Colin Mandy, SC, said Erin Patterson did not feign her illness in the aftermath of the lunch, but that she was unwell because she had eaten some of the meal.
“Prosecution says, ‘Well, she got rid of the dehydrator that makes her look guilty’. She admits that. She admits that when she was interviewed by the police on the same day that one of the lunch guests died, she lied about getting rid of the dehydrator,” Mandy told the jury.
Mandy said Erin had lied to the police about foraging for mushrooms.
“She admits that she did forage for mushrooms. Just so that we make that clear, she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,” the barrister said.
Mandy ended his address with a reminder to the jurors to keep an open mind about the evidence they would hear.
“In the end, this decision in this trial won’t be ... up to any of us, it’ll be up to you,” he told them.
The jury needed to consider the media and health scrutiny in the days following the lunch and how that affected Erin Patterson’s behaviour, her defence counsel said.
“Might someone panic in a situation like that? Is it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought out and might, in the end, make them look bad?” Colin Mandy, SC, said to the jury as he responded to the prosecutor’s opening address.
“Is it possible that a person might lie when they find out that people are seriously ill because of the food that they’ve served up?
“Those are important issues in this case, and you’ll need to use your common experience and your common sense, your experience of human nature and human beings and how they behave, and your common sense to analyse those issues and in doing so, you must be careful not to jump to conclusions.”
Erin Patterson is seated in the dock crying and looking at the courtroom ceiling as her defence barrister addresses the jury.
The accused woman cried as defence counsel Colin Mandy, SC, spoke about her two children, who were close to their grandparents, who were among those who died after the lunch.
Mandy told the jury there was evidence that would come out during the trial that was not in dispute, including where Erin lived, that she was a devoted mother, comfortable financially, generous to the wider Patterson family, that she had had a disagreement with former husband Simon over child support, and that she had never been diagnosed with cancer.
“The defence case is that she panicked because these four people had become so ill because of the food that she had served to them,” Mandy said.
“Three people died because of the food that Erin Patterson served that day. So you’ll need to think about this issue, how Erin Patterson felt about that in the days that followed. That’s an issue in this trial, you’ll need to consider how she behaved and what she did in that important context.”
Defence counsel Colin Mandy, SC, said there was no dispute three people had died.
“This case is all about Erin Patterson’s intention. It’s about what she meant to do, what she intended to do. Did she intend to kill these four people?” Mandy told the jury.
He said the defence case was that the deaths were a tragedy and a terrible accident.
“The defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch on the 29th of July, 2023. She didn’t do it deliberately. She didn’t do it intentionally. The defence case is that she didn’t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.”
Mandy asked the jury to return to the fundamental issue of Erin’s intention and her potential motive for killing her extended family as the jurors listened to the evidence.
“She’s innocent, innocent until proven guilty. You’ve heard that phrase before, I’m sure. But it’s not something that people say. It’s a fundamental principle and protects all of us. It’s the law,” Mandy said.“So at the moment, these charges are just allegations.”
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, has finished her opening address to the jury, and Erin Patterson’s defence lawyer, Colin Mandy, SC, has started delivering his response.
Mandy began by reminding the jury that the prosecutor’s address wasn’t “actual evidence”.
Colin Mandy, SC (second from right), and his defence team colleagues outside court on Wednesday.Credit: Jason South
“What Dr Rogers has said to you isn’t evidence. It’s just the way the prosecution expects that the evidence will unfold. The actual evidence is what you will hear in this courtroom during the course of the trial, mostly from witnesses and sometimes through argument, through exhibits, that kind of thing,” Mandy said.
He also reminded the jury that the defence team’s response would be limited at this stage.
“The law is, we can’t have an argument,” Mandy said. “Now, you might think that that makes a lot of sense, if you think about it, because it would be pointless now for the prosecution and the defence to start arguing about what the evidence is, what it might mean, before you’ve had an opportunity to hear any of it for yourselves.”
Erin Patterson’s two children will give pre-recorded evidence to the trial, the jury has been told.
The jurors would also hear from a number of other witnesses, and be shown photographs, CCTV footage, diagrams, maps, and PowerPoint slides, prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, said.
Rogers told the jury: “Keep an open mind, no prejudice or sympathy, please, towards either the accused or any of the prosecution witnesses, or indeed any of the lunch guests. Your role is to be impartial and to make a decision at the end on the evidence that you have heard and seen on this trial.”
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, has told the jury her legal team does not need to prove a motive for the alleged crimes.
“Now, why would the accused do this? What is the motive?” Rogers said towards the end of her opening address.
“Motive is not something that has to be proven by the prosecution. You do not have to be satisfied what the motive was, or even that there was one, the prosecution will not be suggesting that there was a particular motive to do what she did.
“What you will have to focus on and focus your attention on is whether you are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the charges on the indictment, not why she may have done so.”
The jury is now being told about the forensic evidence in the case.
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, said fingerprints found in the dehydrator matched those on Erin Patterson’s left hand. An analysis of the leftover beef Wellington taken from Erin’s bin, and vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator – discovered at the tip – also found signs of death cap mushrooms.
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC.Credit: Jason South
Rogers said death cap mushroom toxins were detected in urine samples taken from Don Patterson and Ian Wilkinson in hospital. No toxins were detected in the biological samples taken from Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, but Gail’s autopsy findings were compatible with pathology typically seen from ingesting death cap mushrooms, and in Heather’s case, the acute liver failure that contributed to her death was compatible with the consumption of death cap mushrooms.
“It is the prosecution case that the accused deliberately poisoned with murderous intent each of Ian Wilkinson, Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Donald Patterson on 29 July [2023] at her house in Leongatha after inviting them for lunch on the pretense that she’d been diagnosed with cancer, and needed advice about how to break it to the children,” Rogers told the jury.
Rogers said it was also the prosecution case that Erin did not consume death cap mushrooms at the lunch and “pretended she was suffering the same type of illness as the lunch guests to cover that up”.
Erin was reluctant to have her children medically assessed because she knew that, like her, they had not eaten any poisoned food, Rogers said.
“The accused lied about getting death cap mushrooms from an Asian grocer. And the accused disposed of the dehydrator which contained death cap mushroom remnants to conceal what she had done,” the prosecutor said.
That concludes our live blog for today, thanks for reading.
Erin Patterson\\u2019s trial will continue on Thursday with the first of the witnesses to give evidence.
\\u201CProsecution says, \\u2018Well, she got rid of the dehydrator that makes her look guilty\\u2019. She admits that. She admits that when she was interviewed by the police on the same day that one of the lunch guests died, she lied about getting rid of the dehydrator,\\u201D Mandy told the jury.
\\u201CShe admits that she did forage for mushrooms. Just so that we make that clear, she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,\\u201D the barrister said.
\\u201CIn the end, this decision in this trial won\\u2019t be ... up to any of us, it\\u2019ll be up to you,\\u201D he told them.
The jury needed to consider the media and health scrutiny in the days following the lunch and how that affected Erin Patterson\\u2019s behaviour, her defence counsel said.
\\u201CMight someone panic in a situation like that? Is it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought out and might, in the end, make them look bad?\\u201D Colin Mandy, SC, said to the jury as he responded to the prosecutor\\u2019s opening address.
\\u201CIs it possible that a person might lie when they find out that people are seriously ill because of the food that they\\u2019ve served up?
\\u201CThose are important issues in this case, and you\\u2019ll need to use your common experience and your common sense, your experience of human nature and human beings and how they behave, and your common sense to analyse those issues and in doing so, you must be careful not to jump to conclusions.\\u201D
\\u201CThe defence case is that she panicked because these four people had become so ill because of the food that she had served to them,\\u201D Mandy said.
\\u201CThree people died because of the food that Erin Patterson served that day. So you\\u2019ll need to think about this issue, how Erin Patterson felt about that in the days that followed. That\\u2019s an issue in this trial, you\\u2019ll need to consider how she behaved and what she did in that important context.\\u201D
\\u201CThis case is all about Erin Patterson\\u2019s intention. It\\u2019s about what she meant to do, what she intended to do. Did she intend to kill these four people?\\u201D Mandy told the jury.
\\u201CThe defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch on the 29th of July, 2023. She didn\\u2019t do it deliberately. She didn\\u2019t do it intentionally. The defence case is that she didn\\u2019t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.\\u201D
Mandy asked the jury to return to the fundamental issue of Erin\\u2019s intention and her potential motive for killing her extended family as the jurors listened to the evidence.
\\u201CShe\\u2019s innocent, innocent until proven guilty. You\\u2019ve heard that phrase before, I\\u2019m sure. But it\\u2019s not something that people say. It\\u2019s a fundamental principle and protects all of us. It\\u2019s the law,\\u201D Mandy said.\\u201CSo at the moment, these charges are just allegations.\\u201D
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, has finished her opening address to the jury, and Erin Patterson\\u2019s defence lawyer, Colin Mandy, SC, has started delivering his response.
Mandy began by reminding the jury that the prosecutor\\u2019s address wasn\\u2019t \\u201Cactual evidence\\u201D.
\\u201CWhat Dr Rogers has said to you isn\\u2019t evidence. It\\u2019s just the way the prosecution expects that the evidence will unfold. The actual evidence is what you will hear in this courtroom during the course of the trial, mostly from witnesses and sometimes through argument, through exhibits, that kind of thing,\\u201D Mandy said.
He also reminded the jury that the defence team\\u2019s response would be limited at this stage.
\\u201CThe law is, we can\\u2019t have an argument,\\u201D Mandy said. \\u201CNow, you might think that that makes a lot of sense, if you think about it, because it would be pointless now for the prosecution and the defence to start arguing about what the evidence is, what it might mean, before you\\u2019ve had an opportunity to hear any of it for yourselves.\\u201D
Erin Patterson\\u2019s two children will give pre-recorded evidence to the trial, the jury has been told.
Rogers told the jury: \\u201CKeep an open mind, no prejudice or sympathy, please, towards either the accused or any of the prosecution witnesses, or indeed any of the lunch guests. Your role is to be impartial and to make a decision at the end on the evidence that you have heard and seen on this trial.\\u201D
\\u201CNow, why would the accused do this? What is the motive?\\u201D Rogers said towards the end of her opening address.
\\u201CMotive is not something that has to be proven by the prosecution. You do not have to be satisfied what the motive was, or even that there was one, the prosecution will not be suggesting that there was a particular motive to do what she did.
\\u201CWhat you will have to focus on and focus your attention on is whether you are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the charges on the indictment, not why she may have done so.\\u201D
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, said fingerprints found in the dehydrator matched those on Erin Patterson\\u2019s left hand. An analysis of the leftover beef Wellington taken from Erin\\u2019s bin, and vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator \\u2013 discovered at the tip \\u2013 also found signs of death cap mushrooms.
Rogers said death cap mushroom toxins were detected in urine samples taken from Don Patterson and Ian Wilkinson in hospital. No toxins were detected in the biological samples taken from Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, but Gail\\u2019s autopsy findings were compatible with pathology typically seen from ingesting death cap mushrooms, and in Heather\\u2019s case, the acute liver failure that contributed to her death was compatible with the consumption of death cap mushrooms.
\\u201CIt is the prosecution case that the accused deliberately poisoned with murderous intent each of Ian Wilkinson, Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Donald Patterson on 29 July [2023] at her house in Leongatha after inviting them for lunch on the pretense that she\\u2019d been diagnosed with cancer, and needed advice about how to break it to the children,\\u201D Rogers told the jury.
Rogers said it was also the prosecution case that Erin did not consume death cap mushrooms at the lunch and \\u201Cpretended she was suffering the same type of illness as the lunch guests to cover that up\\u201D.
\\u201CThe accused lied about getting death cap mushrooms from an Asian grocer. And the accused disposed of the dehydrator which contained death cap mushroom remnants to conceal what she had done,\\u201D the prosecutor said.
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has finished his opening response to the jury
Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale has once again reminded the 15-person jury that the opening addresses from both parties are not evidence
He has now dismissed the jurors for the day
said Erin Patterson did not feign her illness in the aftermath of the lunch
but that she was unwell because she had eaten some of the meal
she got rid of the dehydrator that makes her look guilty’
She admits that when she was interviewed by the police on the same day that one of the lunch guests died
she lied about getting rid of the dehydrator,” Mandy told the jury
Mandy said Erin had lied to the police about foraging for mushrooms
“She admits that she did forage for mushrooms
she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,” the barrister said
Mandy ended his address with a reminder to the jurors to keep an open mind about the evidence they would hear
The jury needed to consider the media and health scrutiny in the days following the lunch and how that affected Erin Patterson’s behaviour
“Might someone panic in a situation like that
Is it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought out and might
said to the jury as he responded to the prosecutor’s opening address
“Is it possible that a person might lie when they find out that people are seriously ill because of the food that they’ve served up
and you’ll need to use your common experience and your common sense
your experience of human nature and human beings and how they behave
and your common sense to analyse those issues and in doing so
you must be careful not to jump to conclusions.”
Erin Patterson is seated in the dock crying and looking at the courtroom ceiling as her defence barrister addresses the jury
The accused woman cried as defence counsel Colin Mandy
who were among those who died after the lunch
Mandy told the jury there was evidence that would come out during the trial that was not in dispute
that she had had a disagreement with former husband Simon over child support
and that she had never been diagnosed with cancer
“The defence case is that she panicked because these four people had become so ill because of the food that she had served to them,” Mandy said
“Three people died because of the food that Erin Patterson served that day
how Erin Patterson felt about that in the days that followed
you’ll need to consider how she behaved and what she did in that important context.”
said there was no dispute three people had died
“This case is all about Erin Patterson’s intention
Did she intend to kill these four people?” Mandy told the jury
He said the defence case was that the deaths were a tragedy and a terrible accident
“The defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch on the 29th of July
The defence case is that she didn’t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.”
Mandy asked the jury to return to the fundamental issue of Erin’s intention and her potential motive for killing her extended family as the jurors listened to the evidence
It’s a fundamental principle and protects all of us
It’s the law,” Mandy said.“So at the moment
has finished her opening address to the jury
Mandy began by reminding the jury that the prosecutor’s address wasn’t “actual evidence”
and his defence team colleagues outside court on Wednesday.Credit: Jason South
“What Dr Rogers has said to you isn’t evidence
It’s just the way the prosecution expects that the evidence will unfold
The actual evidence is what you will hear in this courtroom during the course of the trial
mostly from witnesses and sometimes through argument
He also reminded the jury that the defence team’s response would be limited at this stage
you might think that that makes a lot of sense
because it would be pointless now for the prosecution and the defence to start arguing about what the evidence is
before you’ve had an opportunity to hear any of it for yourselves.”
Erin Patterson’s two children will give pre-recorded evidence to the trial
The jurors would also hear from a number of other witnesses
towards either the accused or any of the prosecution witnesses
Your role is to be impartial and to make a decision at the end on the evidence that you have heard and seen on this trial.”
has told the jury her legal team does not need to prove a motive for the alleged crimes
What is the motive?” Rogers said towards the end of her opening address
“Motive is not something that has to be proven by the prosecution
You do not have to be satisfied what the motive was
the prosecution will not be suggesting that there was a particular motive to do what she did
“What you will have to focus on and focus your attention on is whether you are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the charges on the indictment
The jury is now being told about the forensic evidence in the case
said fingerprints found in the dehydrator matched those on Erin Patterson’s left hand
An analysis of the leftover beef Wellington taken from Erin’s bin
and vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator – discovered at the tip – also found signs of death cap mushrooms
Rogers said death cap mushroom toxins were detected in urine samples taken from Don Patterson and Ian Wilkinson in hospital
No toxins were detected in the biological samples taken from Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson
but Gail’s autopsy findings were compatible with pathology typically seen from ingesting death cap mushrooms
the acute liver failure that contributed to her death was compatible with the consumption of death cap mushrooms
“It is the prosecution case that the accused deliberately poisoned with murderous intent each of Ian Wilkinson
Gail Patterson and Donald Patterson on 29 July [2023] at her house in Leongatha after inviting them for lunch on the pretense that she’d been diagnosed with cancer
and needed advice about how to break it to the children,” Rogers told the jury
Rogers said it was also the prosecution case that Erin did not consume death cap mushrooms at the lunch and “pretended she was suffering the same type of illness as the lunch guests to cover that up”
Erin was reluctant to have her children medically assessed because she knew that
“The accused lied about getting death cap mushrooms from an Asian grocer
And the accused disposed of the dehydrator which contained death cap mushroom remnants to conceal what she had done,” the prosecutor said
Erin Patterson\\u2019s trial will continue on Thursday with the first of the witnesses to give evidence
she got rid of the dehydrator that makes her look guilty\\u2019
she lied about getting rid of the dehydrator,\\u201D Mandy told the jury
\\u201CShe admits that she did forage for mushrooms
she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,\\u201D the barrister said
this decision in this trial won\\u2019t be ..
it\\u2019ll be up to you,\\u201D he told them
The jury needed to consider the media and health scrutiny in the days following the lunch and how that affected Erin Patterson\\u2019s behaviour
\\u201CMight someone panic in a situation like that
said to the jury as he responded to the prosecutor\\u2019s opening address
\\u201CIs it possible that a person might lie when they find out that people are seriously ill because of the food that they\\u2019ve served up
\\u201CThose are important issues in this case
and you\\u2019ll need to use your common experience and your common sense
you must be careful not to jump to conclusions.\\u201D
\\u201CThe defence case is that she panicked because these four people had become so ill because of the food that she had served to them,\\u201D Mandy said
\\u201CThree people died because of the food that Erin Patterson served that day
So you\\u2019ll need to think about this issue
you\\u2019ll need to consider how she behaved and what she did in that important context.\\u201D
\\u201CThis case is all about Erin Patterson\\u2019s intention
Did she intend to kill these four people?\\u201D Mandy told the jury
\\u201CThe defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch on the 29th of July
The defence case is that she didn\\u2019t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.\\u201D
Mandy asked the jury to return to the fundamental issue of Erin\\u2019s intention and her potential motive for killing her extended family as the jurors listened to the evidence
But it\\u2019s not something that people say
It\\u2019s a fundamental principle and protects all of us
It\\u2019s the law,\\u201D Mandy said.\\u201CSo at the moment
these charges are just allegations.\\u201D
Mandy began by reminding the jury that the prosecutor\\u2019s address wasn\\u2019t \\u201Cactual evidence\\u201D
\\u201CWhat Dr Rogers has said to you isn\\u2019t evidence
It\\u2019s just the way the prosecution expects that the evidence will unfold
He also reminded the jury that the defence team\\u2019s response would be limited at this stage
we can\\u2019t have an argument,\\u201D Mandy said
before you\\u2019ve had an opportunity to hear any of it for yourselves.\\u201D
Erin Patterson\\u2019s two children will give pre-recorded evidence to the trial
Rogers told the jury: \\u201CKeep an open mind
Your role is to be impartial and to make a decision at the end on the evidence that you have heard and seen on this trial.\\u201D
What is the motive?\\u201D Rogers said towards the end of her opening address
\\u201CMotive is not something that has to be proven by the prosecution
\\u201CWhat you will have to focus on and focus your attention on is whether you are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the charges on the indictment
said fingerprints found in the dehydrator matched those on Erin Patterson\\u2019s left hand
An analysis of the leftover beef Wellington taken from Erin\\u2019s bin
and vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator \\u2013 discovered at the tip \\u2013 also found signs of death cap mushrooms
but Gail\\u2019s autopsy findings were compatible with pathology typically seen from ingesting death cap mushrooms
\\u201CIt is the prosecution case that the accused deliberately poisoned with murderous intent each of Ian Wilkinson
Gail Patterson and Donald Patterson on 29 July [2023] at her house in Leongatha after inviting them for lunch on the pretense that she\\u2019d been diagnosed with cancer
and needed advice about how to break it to the children,\\u201D Rogers told the jury
Rogers said it was also the prosecution case that Erin did not consume death cap mushrooms at the lunch and \\u201Cpretended she was suffering the same type of illness as the lunch guests to cover that up\\u201D
\\u201CThe accused lied about getting death cap mushrooms from an Asian grocer
And the accused disposed of the dehydrator which contained death cap mushroom remnants to conceal what she had done,\\u201D the prosecutor said
Follow our live coverage of the Erin Patterson trial here
Accused triple killer Erin Patterson has admitted foraging for mushrooms
getting rid of a food dehydrator in panic and not telling police the truth after her elderly lunch guests fell critically ill
A Supreme Court jury heard claims that Patterson served beef Wellington on different coloured plates to her own
told the jury Patterson had lured the couples to her Leongatha home on July 29
on the “pretence” she had been diagnosed with cancer and needed advice about how to tell her children
A court artist’s sketch of alleged killer mushroom cook Erin Patterson
said the death cap mushroom poisoning – which killed the Pattersons and Heather Wilkinson and left Ian Wilkinson in intensive care – was nothing more than “a tragedy and a terrible accident”
During the summary Patterson sat in the dock with tears in her eyes
Present in court to hear the opening addresses on Wednesday were members of the deceased’s families seated on one side of the small courtroom
On the other side of the room sat one of Patterson’s close female friends
she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,” Mandy said
“The defence case is that she panicked because she was overwhelmed by the fact that these four people had become so ill because of the food that she’d served to them
Three people had died because of the food that Erin Patterson served that day
“The defence case is that she didn’t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.”
where she invited her in-laws and estranged husband
She told some of them she had developed cancer and needed help in working out how to tell her two children
Simon later cancelled and did not attend the lunch
But the court heard Erin Patterson never had cancer
The prosecution alleged this pretext was used to lure the guests to the lunch and explain why Patterson’s children would not be present
Rogers said Gail and Don Patterson and the Wilkinsons toured Erin Patterson’s property before gathering in the dining room
guests recalled Patterson allegedly serving her portion of the meal on a tan or orange plate before they sat down to eat off their grey plates
“I noticed Erin had put her food on a different plate to us
I wondered why that was,” Heather Wilkinson told family before she died
Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson later died at the Austin Hospital
while Ian Wilkinson survived after a lengthy stay in hospital
Homicide Detective Acting Sergeant Stephen Eppingstall and prosecutor Nanette Rogers arrive at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in Morwell
but left because she told staff she was not prepared to stay
She was later found not to be suffering from any significant illness
The court also heard that in the months leading up to the fatal lunch
Patterson had begun posting messages in a Facebook chat group about dehydrating mushrooms including sharing in the chat that she had bought a food dehydrator
including a photograph of the dehydrator on her kitchen bench
Erin Patterson’s legal team arrive at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in Morwell on Wednesday
“The accused explained in the chat that she’d been dehydrating mushrooms
and hiding powdered mushrooms in everything,” Rogers said
The jury heard this included using powdered mushrooms in chocolate brownies without her children knowing
2½ hours before the data from Patterson’s mobile phone suggested she was in the Loch area
where a person had posted online they’d seen death cap mushrooms growing under a tree
Police later found a dehydrator in the local tip
that Rogers said contained fingerprints that matched those on Erin Patterson’s left hand
An analysis of vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator – discovered at the tip – found signs of death cap mushrooms
a police investigation uncovered Patterson had reset her mobile phone to factory settings three times
including once while police were raiding her home on August 5
Police also seized other electronic devices then and during a second search on November 3 the same year
“You will hear about what was located on those devices during the course of this trial,” Rogers said
Mandy maintained Patterson did not feign her illness in the aftermath of the lunch
maintaining Patterson was unwell because she had also eaten some of the meal
He said the jury needed to consider the media and medical scrutiny in the days following the lunch and how that could have affected her behaviour
“Might someone panic in a situation like that?” Mandy asked the jury
“Is it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought-out and might
you must be careful not to jump to conclusions
Follow our live coverage of the Erin Patterson trial
on the \\u201Cpretence\\u201D she had been diagnosed with cancer and needed advice about how to tell her children
said the death cap mushroom poisoning \\u2013 which killed the Pattersons and Heather Wilkinson and left Ian Wilkinson in intensive care \\u2013 was nothing more than \\u201Ca tragedy and a terrible accident\\u201D
Present in court to hear the opening addresses on Wednesday were members of the deceased\\u2019s families seated on one side of the small courtroom
On the other side of the room sat one of Patterson\\u2019s close female friends
she denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms,\\u201D Mandy said
\\u201CThe defence case is that she panicked because she was overwhelmed by the fact that these four people had become so ill because of the food that she\\u2019d served to them
\\u201CThe defence case is that she didn\\u2019t intend to cause anyone any harm on that day.\\u201D
The prosecution alleged this pretext was used to lure the guests to the lunch and explain why Patterson\\u2019s children would not be present
Rogers said Gail and Don Patterson and the Wilkinsons toured Erin Patterson\\u2019s property before gathering in the dining room
\\u201CI noticed Erin had put her food on a different plate to us
I wondered why that was,\\u201D Heather Wilkinson told family before she died
\\u201CThe accused explained in the chat that she\\u2019d been dehydrating mushrooms
and hiding powdered mushrooms in everything,\\u201D Rogers said
2\\u00BD hours before the data from Patterson\\u2019s mobile phone suggested she was in the Loch area
where a person had posted online they\\u2019d seen death cap mushrooms growing under a tree
that Rogers said contained fingerprints that matched those on Erin Patterson\\u2019s left hand
An analysis of vegetable matter taken from the dehydrator \\u2013 discovered at the tip \\u2013 found signs of death cap mushrooms
\\u201CYou will hear about what was located on those devices during the course of this trial,\\u201D Rogers said
\\u201CMight someone panic in a situation like that?\\u201D Mandy asked the jury
\\u201CIs it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought-out and might
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and Cr John Schelling (South Gippsland Shire mayor) join Leongatha Lightning players at the announcement of a $3.5 million commitment from the Coalition
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A suburban Australian mom is standing trial on charges of poisoning several of her estranged husband's relatives with death cap mushrooms at a home-cooked meal — killing three of them — in a case that has made headlines around the world
The case against Erin Patterson opened in the Victoria state Supreme Court on Tuesday
a town of less than 6,000 people some 85 miles from Melbourne
who was separated from but on good terms with her husband Simon Patterson
aunt and uncle over for an adults-only lunch
ostensibly to discuss medical issues she was facing
All four of Patterson's lunch guests were hospitalized with gastrointestinal symptoms the day after the meal
all from altered liver function and multiple organ failure due to Amanita mushroom poisoning
Prosecutors accuse Patterson of lying about a cancer diagnosis as a pretense for the lunch
not eating the same dish as them and pretending to suffer similar symptoms afterward as an attempted cover-up
"You do not have to be satisfied what the motive was or even that there was one," prosecutor Nanette Rogers told the jury on Wednesday
"The prosecution will not be suggesting that there was a particular motive to do what she did."
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder
Patterson has repeatedly denied deliberately poisoning her guests
Her legal team says she ate some of the meal herself and did genuinely get sick
just not as severely as the others at the table
"The defense case is that she didn't intend to cause anyone any harm on that day," her lawyer
"The defense case is that what happened was a tragedy and a terrible accident."
Mandy said Patterson admits to lying to police on two instances in the aftermath of the lunch: about owning a food dehydrator and foraging for mushrooms
He said she admits to having foraged for mushrooms
but "denies that she ever deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms."
He said Patterson panicked after the lunch
not because she knew she was guilty of murder — as the prosecution argues — but "because she was so overwhelmed by the fact that these four people had become so ill because of the food that she'd served to them."
"Is it possible that people might do and say things that are not well thought out and might
"Is it possible that a person might lie when they find out that people are seriously ill because of the food that they've served up
The case is so high-profile that the 15-person jury — including three alternates — will be sequestered during deliberations "to protect them from any interference or outside pressure … and to safeguard the integrity of their verdicts," Justice Christopher Beale said on the first day
Beale warned that the case is "likely to continue to attract a high level of media attention," and urged jurors to consider only the evidence presented at trial
Erin and Simon Patterson met while working at the local city council, and got married in 2007. In the first days of the trial, Simon testified that Erin — who previously worked as an air traffic controller — took online classes and mostly worked as a homemaker during their marriage
the two split up and reconciled multiple times over the years before permanently separating in 2015
He described their relationship as strained toward the end
The two shared custody of their two children
saw each other at church and even went on local and overseas family trips together
Patterson also remained on amicable terms with her in-laws
Simon said Patterson and his parents loved each other
a retired schoolteacher with whom she shared a love of science
said Simon noticed a "sustained change" in his relationship with Patterson in 2022: Patterson apparently said she would need to seek child support from him
Their communication declined from that point on over issues related to child support payments
Simon testified on Friday that they discussed the idea of bringing in a mediator in December 2022
Patterson invited Simon and several of his relatives over for lunch: his parents
Patterson said the purpose of the lunch was to discuss some medical issues she was facing and seek advice on how to break it to her kids
according to prosecutors — who say this was a pretense for the adults-only meal
off for lunch and a movie with a friend before her guests came over
Roger said the Wilkinsons were surprised by the invitation because they hadn't yet been to Patterson's house
Simon testified that it was "very rare" for his wife to invite people over
and that family gatherings usually happened at other relatives' homes
Simon texted Patterson the day before the lunch
saying he felt too uncomfortable to attend but was willing to discuss her health issues over the phone
Patterson responded in a text that Simon read from the stand on Thursday
she said she was disappointed and hoped he would change his mind
"I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow which has been exhausting in light of the issues I'm facing and spent a small fortune on beef eye fillet to make beef Wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal
as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time," Patterson wrote
"It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow and that I can have the conversations that I need to have."
Prosecutors say Patterson showed her guests around before serving them at the dining room table
She placed individual beef Wellingtons — a steak dish wrapped in pastry
usually with a paste of finely chopped mushrooms — along with mashed potatoes and green beans on four large
Prosecutors say the Wilkinsons finished their portion
while Gail ate approximately half and gave the rest to her husband Donald
"There was banter amongst them about how much they'd eaten," Rogers said
Patterson told the group that she had been diagnosed with cancer after noticing a bump on her elbow
and asked for advice on whether to tell her kids
The group had a discussion and prayed for her
the elder Pattersons and Wilkinsons started to feel sick that evening
with diarrhea and vomiting throughout the night
The couples realized they had the same symptoms after they talked on the phone the next morning
The Pattersons called an ambulance to take them to a hospital
while Simon Patterson took the Wilkinsons to another hospital
Heather Wilkinson raised the subject of the different plates at lunch
He said that his aunt said something to the effect of: "Is Erin short of crockery
Is that why she would have this different kind of colored plate that she served herself with?" He replied at the time that Patterson didn't have many matching plates and might have just run out
The patients were able to talk about their experience immediately after being admitted on July 30
told him about Patterson's cancer diagnosis from his hospital bed
Donald was also able to give his medical history and recount the lunch to doctors
who grew concerned that gastroenteritis was not the sole cause of his symptoms
Multiple doctors and toxicologists discerned that their symptoms were indicative of "serious toxin syndrome caused by ingestion of amanita phalloides mushrooms," also known as death cap mushrooms
Prosecutors say the patients were not immediately given the antidote because there was a lack of evidence to confirm that's what they had ingested
and their conditions deteriorated over the following days even as they were treated
Doctors concluded that the illness was "unsurvivable" for Heather Wilkinson
Heather Wilkinson and Gail Patterson died on Aug
and Donald Patterson died the following day
14 and discharged to rehabilitation on Sept
police and Simon Patterson paint a picture of Erin Patterson's behavior in the hours and days after the lunch turned tragic
Simon said the first he heard of her feeling unwell was the following morning
when she said she'd had diarrhea since the previous night
Prosecutors say Patterson was admitted to urgent care when the hospital learned she had been at the lunch
but that she was adamant she would not stay
She initially resisted treatment and at one point walked out against medical advice
Patterson also pushed back against the idea of bringing her kids to the hospital
which doctors recommended after learning that they had eaten leftovers
Patterson said she had scraped off the pastry and mushrooms because they didn't like the vegetable
Rogers said doctors remembered Patterson becoming emotional when asked to bring her kids in
saying they didn't have symptoms and she didn't want to take them out of school
"They did not eat the mushrooms," a doctor recalled her saying
"I just don't want them to be panicked and stressed."
Simon testified that he brought the kids to the hospital
where they were kept overnight but found not to be ill
He testified on Friday that Patterson "never actually asked" about how his hospitalized relatives were doing
Patterson's doctors determined she was "moderately dehydrated and appeared to have a gastrointestinal-type illness" — but had "no clinical or biochemical evidence of amanita poisoning or other toxicological substance ingestion." She was discharged on Aug
prosecutors had an intensive care specialist
They said Bersten saw no evidence that she suffered an acute illness on July 30
or that she had been diagnosed with cancer in mid-2023 as she claimed
The Victorian Cancer Registry — to which diagnoses are legally required to be reported — also said it has no record of it
Death cap mushrooms — Amanita phalloides — are responsible for 90% of deaths by fungus
"with half a cap or even less enough to kill a person," according to the U.K.'s Woodland Trust
The Victorian government says symptoms — including diarrhea
vomiting and stomach cramps — typically occur six to 24 hours after consumption
usually in temperate forests or urban areas with exotic trees
In April 2023, just months before Patterson had her relatives over for lunch, the Victoria Department of Health issued an advisory warning that death cap mushrooms were growing in the state
a local pharmacist noticed death cap mushrooms growing under oak trees during a walk in the nearby township of Loch
and documented them on a naturalist website
Patterson allegedly purchased an electronic food dehydrator and — according to location data from her seized phones — and traveled to the area of Loch
she denied owning a dehydrator and foraging for mushrooms
In the immediate aftermath of the incident
Patterson told doctors and investigators that she had used two kinds of mushrooms for her dish: fresh from the grocery store and dried from a Chinese grocer in the area
As part of its investigation into the incident
the Department of Health checked all Asian grocery stores in the surrounding suburbs
Prosecutors say the health department was "unable to identify any store in the suburbs … that sold mushrooms as described by" Patterson
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A bobsled leads the student pack towards the Year 12 breakfast
Vocational Major students Kohdi Hobbs and Sophie Lester celebrate their time at Leongatha Secondary College
Vocational Major student Charlotte Pors and VCE student Shea White are Jessie and Woody from Toy Story
Year 12 coordinator Mackenzie Nash and assistant principal Tanya Chalmers celebrate the achievements of the departing Year 12 group
Year 12 students impress at the formal evening celebrating their last day of school
IT WAS a day of celebration for Leongatha Secondary College (LSC) Year 12 students as they marked their final day of school
They provided a sea of colour arriving at the campus en masse in an array of entertaining costumes
There was time for a rest after the morning’s festivities before turning out in their finest for the evening formal held at the Korumburra basketball courts
assistant principal Tanya Chalmers was delighted with how smoothly everything went and that everyone enjoyed themselves
LSC moved away from the muck-up day approach a few years ago
and the Year 12 group marked their final day of school in style
This scribe was among the many people in the firing line for students armed with cans of spray string
the excited group paraded through the streets and shared their celebrations with those in their education precinct at the primary and specialist schools
Tanya ran the breakfast with Year 12 coordinator Mackenzie Nash and senior school student engagement officer Abbey Kelson
“It’s really nice for us to be able to do something for them on the final day and give them some yummy food to celebrate with their family,” Tanya said of the trio’s feelings
having worked so closely with the Year 12s
Mackenzie reflected on some of the challenges the group has dealt with at high school
“You’ve navigated school during a nationwide pandemic
you’ve shown incredible resilience and determination,” she said
Mackenzie praised all the students for how they have supported one another
She wished the VCE students the best of luck as they begin their exams
also wishing the VCE Vocational Major students well for whatever lies ahead as they embark on pursuing careers
life is not a straight path and there will be twists
but I have no doubt that you are more than capable of navigating them,” Mackenzie told the Year 12 cohort
Alana Lopez-Freeman and Chloe Challis reflected on their time at LSC
Chloe praised the Year 12 group for persisting
despite the never-ending coursework and other challenges of a demanding period
noting they’ll all be better for the experience
“We have learnt that this year is not purely defined by academics; it was also about the memories and friendships we made together,” she said
The patient injured in a farm accident at Leongatha South on Wednesday
December 11 was transported by the Ambulance Victoria Air Ambulance 'HEMS01’ to Melbourne for treatment
Police are investigating an accident on a farm south of Leongatha yesterday
It's understood a male had to be extracted from farming equipment
POLICE and emergency services were called to the scene of an accident on a property on Old Korumburra Road south of Leongatha where it has been reported a man became stuck in a piece of farm equipment
The emergency call went out at about 2pm on Tuesday
A spokesperson for VICSES has confirmed they attended the scene
the man in his 50s was successfully extricated and was flown to hospital by Ambulance Victoria with lower body injuries
Anyone with information about the incident are encouraged to contact Leongatha Police on 5662 2285
Bass Coast Police Area Eyewatch has since posted an update on the farm accident
your local police from the Leongatha Police Station
the Meeniyan Police Station and the Wonthaggi Police Station
along with paramedics from Ambulance Victoria and volunteer rescuers from SES Leongatha Unit responded to an incident where a person was injured by machinery whilst undertaking work on a farm at Leongatha
“Farms can be one of the most dangerous workplaces around
as even the simplest of jobs can turn into something life threatening
“The patient was transported by the Ambulance Victoria Air Ambulance (callsign ‘HEMS01’) to Melbourne for treatment.”
Members of the South Gippsland branch of the Gippsland Historical Automobile Club and Leongatha Rotary Club’s Jim McNiven are ready for the Leongatha Rotary Show ‘N’ Shine & Swap Meet
John Denbrok and Jim McNiven with John’s 1958 Ford Customline Star model
Geoff Cooper with his 1968 Holden Brougham
THERE’S been a slight rejig of vehicle judging categories for this year’s Leongatha Rotary Show ‘N’ Shine & Swap Meet
with the Leongatha Velodrome and surrounds expected to be at near capacity for the Sunday
offering a variety of sweet and savoury options
There’ll be 17 vehicle judging categories this time
while truck categories have been reduced from three to one
The event is renowned for its high-quality judging
Chairman of the Show ‘N’ Shine committee Jim McNiven one of eight officials determining the winners
He stressed the judges are all experienced in the type of vehicles they will be adjudicating on and it’s not just a matter of deciding which vehicle looks nice
“That attracts people to want to get their cars judged,” Jim said
“They want you to put the effort in and they let you know they appreciate it.”
People will be queuing well in advance of the gates opening to pick up a Swap Meet bargain
with that section of the event expected to be double the size it was last year
Organisers have been busy handing out brochures at Swap Meets in the region
many people declaring they’re keen to be part of the Leongatha selling action
we won’t have room for everybody,” Jim said
noting he expects the Swap Meet to be bigger than Ben Hur and for the show cars component of the day to be just as popular
There is capacity for approximately 400 cars
Anyone intending to leave before 1pm will be required to park in a separate area
with organisers ensuring vehicles on the oval are not moved during the event in order to keep attendees safe
Emergency service representatives will add their vehicles to the day’s display
police and fire brigade will all be present
that dependent on operational requirements that arise
Jim made it clear why the event won’t change too much this time
declaring “The formula has worked pretty well in the last few years.”
the event is a major fundraiser for Leongatha Rotary Club
contributing to its local projects and other Rotary initiatives further afield
Jim stressing that the beauty of the organisation is that funds go where they are most needed
“All profits raised end up where they’re meant to be,” he said
with Rotary’s volunteer structure enabling that to happen
come and have a ball at an affordable price while you contribute to the cause
$10 for a show car and driver and $10 for each additional adult passenger
It costs $5 to enter a show car for judging
General admission is $10 for adults and free for children
Swap Meet traders and food vendors enter via gate 1 only from 6am
with general entry on foot via gate 2 from 7.30am
For further information or inquiries please contact organisers via the Leongatha Rotary Club’s Facebook page or call Jim McNiven on 0418 559 119
Skye and Hannah who have all returned to swimming after completing SGB studies
Grace and Juliet celebrate their efforts in the pool at Junior Race Night in Wonthaggi
South Gippsland Swimming Club Coach Dylan Muir inspires his charges
Club backstroke champion Will takes on Head Coach Dylan Muir
Bec and Trinity celebrating their respective age group wins in the 100m freestyle
Junior Race Night at the Wonthaggi Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Hands up if you had fun with swim coaches Trinity and Sam helped out by family and older squad members
AGE and experience was no barrier to being among the ribbons for this week’s South Gippsland Bass Swim Club meet with swimmers of all ages racing against friends
From the youngest junior to the more experienced swimmers chasing national times each ribbon and personal best brought a smile to their faces
The week kicked off with junior race nights at both the Wonthaggi and Leongatha pools with about forty-five of the development and junior squad swimmers having a go at all four strokes over 25 metres
The youngest swimmers from Prep and Grade 1 were excited to be in the pool with their big brothers and sisters in older age groups
The largest group of Grade 3/4 swimmers had many club members bringing a friend to compete with and join in the fun
Swimming with a friend gave invited swimmers a taste of the excitement of racing supported by their families on the sidelines
While the butterfly may not have been as stylish as the national squad there was no shortage of determination put into finishing the distance.
Ribbons and certificates were handed out showing the swimmers’ current times to look back at in future years to see how far they have progressed
On Saturday the more experienced swimmers took the pool at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon competing in 50m and 200m events with many of the swimmers trying to optimise times for upcoming championships before entries close in three weeks
There was also a number of swimmers swimming to gain more experience and improve their times
especially the eleven-year-olds practising their 100 metres in readiness for the Gippsland championships in March
Teammates provided plenty of support for fellow swimmers knowing how hard it is to get the last few seconds off their time and how much others want the same or better times
Celebratory cheers and consoling hugs were everywhere as swimmers gave their best
A number of swimmers achieved times to qualify for the National Championships in April next year
The Gippsland Aquatic Centre was filled with cheers as Coach Dylan took on one of his swimmers
Will had been inching ever closer to Dylan’s time over past years and they both fought hard swimming up and down the pool with Will
sneaking past Dylan to touch 0.06 seconds faster
Family and friends on the sidelines went wild
Many swimmers from the country squad were excited to get their first country time to join the growing team heading to the National Championships
There were also a number of swimmers returning to racing having finished VCE exams
Maintaining training while studying or travelling these older swimmers are now relishing the opportunity to enjoy time back racing in the pool sharing their wisdom marshalling the younger swimmers
Inverloch’s Terry Bourke and Mick Whelan headed over to Leongatha for Biketoberfest on Saturday
Around 1000 were anticipated to fill up Leongatha’s Bair Street on Saturday
Leongatha’s Lindsay Powney and John Moore were admiring Jim Baum’s Harley Davidson road bike
Drouin’s Bill Gardner and Rosebud’s John Davis were in Leongatha for Biketoberfest on Saturday
Dromana’s Michelle Anderson had her 2014 Triumph America on display at Biketoberfest on Saturday
Leongatha’s Edith and Henry Tranter enjoyed Biketoberfest on Saturday
THIRD time is the charm for Leongatha’s Biketoberfest
The warm weather encouraged around 1000 motorcyclists to pass through the town on Saturday
“It was raining during our first two years
and we only had around 370 bikes turn out last year,” Biketoberfest committee member Rozz Busana said
“We’re happy to see people coming through the town to see the region and discover the great area we have to ride in.”
Bair Street was closed from 9am to 3pm so riders could come through and display their bikes for the public
Merchandise stalls were set up down Lyon Street
with TAC on board to educate everyone about Motorcycle Awareness Month
The Black Dog Institute was involved to discuss men’s health and Psychs on Bike were available to anyone needing a chat.
The police displayed their motorbikes at the end of Bair Street and trial riding took place out front of the post office
People travelled from across the state to be involved and the local businesses went out of their way to support the event
“We had a raffle on the day and all the prizes were donated by local businesses,” Rozz said
“Hopefully the cafes got a lot out of it as well.”
Biketoberfest was planned to help launch the start of the racing season and get everyone fired up for the upcoming MotoGP on Phillip Island
“We to do it all again – big and better – next year,” Rozz said.
Ling Wang with her magnificent pastel work ‘Rainbow Companions’
Barbara Fleming and Diana Reardon set the mood at the Leongatha Art & Photography Show
Joann Gan with her artwork and Lynn Fisher who arranged the exhibition with Bob Hickman
A large audience waits to hear the winners announced
KORUMBURRA’S Fiona Bilbrough has again won ‘Best in Show’ at Leongatha Rotary Club’s Art & Photography Show
this time with her still life oil painting ‘Blue Gum Haze’
the announcement made in front of a large gathering at the town’s Memorial Hall on Friday night
one of Australia’s foremost watercolour artists judged the competition
offering detailed reasons for his choices across a diverse range of artistic categories
He described Fiona’s winning work as special
having an eye for tradition and a beautiful set of tonal and colour values
“Your eye goes on this incredible journey,” he said
highlighting Fiona’s use of shapes and ability to combine abstract elements with reality
“That is what I mean by cream rising to the top and that is a painting of absolute excellence,” Greg declared
Fiona thanked those at Leongatha Rotary Club for all the work they do and the team that puts the show together
While she is an established artist with a string of honours to her name that includes winning the renowned Camberwell Art Show
the Leongatha Art & Photography Show also offers a forum for young people to demonstrate their creativity
Lucinda Calder took out the Best Youth category for those aged 13 to 18 for her work depicting a horse bathing in a pond with a mountainous background
the skin of a horse and craggy rocks,” Greg said
emphasising her ability to use a restricted colour palette in a manner that is far better than using an array of bright colours
Andrew Noble was declared an obvious winner of the best 3D object for his stunning chainsaw carving of a sea turtle for which he used timber from a silky oak that fell victim to February’s Mirboo North storm
The work titled ‘Under the Sea’ incorporates other creatures such as an octopus and seahorses
Andrew saying he wanted to do justice to the tree and noting it had a long life just as turtles can
Sherie Howard was praised for an outstanding black and white shot titled ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’
the image captured at Blue Rag near Mount Hotham with fog rolling in
Sherie of Boolarra said a steady hand was required in the low-light conditions
Cathy Harris’ work ‘Playtime’ was judged Best Mixed Media exhibit
being described as “so tactile and a worthy winner of a three-dimensional prize”
The stunning ‘Rainbow Companions’ claimed Best Pastel
Newborough artist Ling Wang inspired by parrots that visit her balcony
having had a love of drawing since childhood
Greg highlighted Ling’s ability to make the birds appear almost larger than life and “in your face”
describing the work as “a beautiful pastel”
the mesmerising background and the understated nature of Sophie’s clothing
Charcoal or Other went to John Reeve for ‘Boots’
celebrated for its irreverent nature and “incredibly powerful graphic composition”
Best Flora and Fauna was a fiercely contested category with nature scenes playing a big part in this year’s show
Mary Hennekam triumphed with ‘Holly Leafed Grevillia”
her effective use of light a key element to her success
Greg selected Nina Volk’s ‘Leongatha Memorial Hall’
He commented on Nina and “the fun she is having with watercolour in the abstract as a medium itself
stressing that is one of the most difficult elements to get right as a watercolour painter
The Judge explained the challenge of working with watercolour
“It’s a ridiculously hard medium to paint in; it dries in a couple of minutes and you cannot paint over the top of it,” he said
picked up by Adrian Johnson’s ‘Dunescape Bass Coast’
elaborating that “It’s not trying to be everything” but is instead “a carefully selected view of our coast with gorgeous shapes and patterns”
The Art and Photography Show runs until Saturday
with a special free Australia Day event at 2.30pm on January 26 at which there will be an afternoon tea and the Luciblooms Memorial Youth Award will be presented
Australian high jumper Eleanor Patterson has moved to Turin to live and train with her Italian boyfriend
and she has completely changed how she jumps
For an athlete who has won a medal at her past five major events
a world championships gold and a silver and an Olympic bronze
Eleanor Patterson won bronze at the Paris Olympics Credit: Getty Images
“It’s getting a bit of a pattern there,” Patterson said
only one was a gold – in Eugene at the world championships
The most recent of those five medals was the silver Patterson won at World Indoors in China last week
which came after her move to Italy and change of coach and run-up
she has stood alongside Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh on the podium
and at three of her compatriot Nicola Olyslagers has been at her shoulder
Olyslagers beat Patterson to gold on countback after they both cleared 1.97m
Such are the margins between these women that missing a single jump at 1.92m cost her a gold medal
We’re competing against the world record holder and Olympic champion,” Patterson said
Teammates Nicola Olyslagers (left) and Eleanor Patterson.Credit: Hollie Adams
we seem to share the medals and have taken away every colour
Along my journey with the last five major championships
“It’d be incredible to win in Tokyo this year (at the world championships)
you’re up against some incredible athletes
Patterson hasn’t competed in Melbourne since she went on that five championships medal-winning streak
The last time she competed in her home capital she was a shy athlete who had been working part-time in a bakery in Leongatha
but she announced herself to the world in her sport
Now she lives in Turin with her boyfriend Marco Fassinotti
I’ve moved across to the other side of the world
and I’ve moved to live primarily in Italy,” she said
and he’s a high jumper … we’ve been together for quite a while
so I decided to move over that side of the world
Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson claimed silver and bronze in the high jump at the Paris Olympics..Credit: AP
“I’m training with him and we’re working under (Alex) ‘Fuz’ Caan
who’s actually working out of Saudi Arabia of all places right now
and he is able to FaceTime for technical sessions
she was walking into the start of her run-up
Now she stands like a pole vaulter and kicks into a 10-step run to the bar
Thus far I’ve competed three times for 194cm
competes in the women's high jump final at the 2024 Summer Olympics
(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)Credit: nna\damien.mccartney
Patterson has reached the point in her career where 1.97m is becoming the minimum for her at major comps
“I think this year I can definitely create 1.97 as a minimum
That’s definitely the aim for this season to jump over two meters and get comfortable over that height
and I feel like I’m in the condition to be able to jump two metres.”
Patterson will compete in the high jump at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on Saturday night
Australian world sprint sensation Gout Gout in the 200m headlines the meet
which is sold out on Friday with about 8000 tickets snapped up
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter
\\u201CIt\\u2019s getting a bit of a pattern there,\\u201D Patterson said
only one was a gold \\u2013 in Eugene at the world championships
she has stood alongside Ukraine\\u2019s Yaroslava Mahuchikh on the podium
\\u201CWhen it comes to high jumping right now
We\\u2019re competing against the world record holder and Olympic champion,\\u201D Patterson said
\\u201CIt\\u2019d be incredible to win in Tokyo this year (at the world championships)
you\\u2019re up against some incredible athletes
Patterson hasn\\u2019t competed in Melbourne since she went on that five championships medal-winning streak
\\u201CI\\u2019ve completely changed my run-up
I\\u2019ve moved across to the other side of the world
and I\\u2019ve moved to live primarily in Italy,\\u201D she said
\\u201CI had lived there for a while before
and he\\u2019s a high jumper \\u2026 we\\u2019ve been together for quite a while
\\u201CI\\u2019m training with him and we\\u2019re working under (Alex) \\u2018Fuz\\u2019 Caan
who\\u2019s actually working out of Saudi Arabia of all places right now
I haven\\u2019t actually met Fuzz (in person)
which doesn\\u2019t mean much to most people.\\u201D
Thus far I\\u2019ve competed three times for 194cm
\\u201CI think this year I can definitely create 1.97 as a minimum
\\u201CTwo metres is a barrier for a reason
That\\u2019s definitely the aim for this season to jump over two meters and get comfortable over that height
and I feel like I\\u2019m in the condition to be able to jump two metres.\\u201D
results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday
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