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Multiple charges dropped as fatal mushroom lunch trial begins

Erin Patterson, the woman at the centre of Australia’s high-profile “mushroom lunch” case, has had three attempted murder charges dropped as her trial begins in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court. The 50-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges related to the deaths of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. The three died in hospital days after allegedly eating a beef wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms at a family lunch hosted by Patterson in Leongatha on July 29, 2023. Patterson is also facing an attempted murder charge over the alleged poisoning of Heather Wilkinson’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, 68, who survived the lunch. On Tuesday, trial judge Justice Christopher Beale informed the jury that three separate attempted murder charges linked to Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had been withdrawn. He instructed jurors to disregard those charges entirely. “You may be aware from previous coverage that the accused was charged in relation to her ex-husband,” Justice Beale said. “Those charges have been dropped, and you must put them out of your mind.” Patterson, dressed in a pink and white striped long-sleeved shirt, sat quietly in the dock as the jury of 15 was empanelled. Jurors were briefed on courtroom procedures, including the selection of a foreperson, COVID-19 precautions, and the roles of parties involved in the trial. Patterson first entered pleas of not guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges in May 2024. The trial, expected to draw significant public attention, will continue on Wednesday with further evidence and testimony. Images: A Current Affair

Legal

Cold Chisel member's sister dies in tragic accident

Brenda Walker, an award-winning Australian author and the sister of Cold Chisel member Don Walker, has been killed in a horrific accident at Kings Park in Perth. The 67-year-old was crossing Kings Park Road on Tuesday when she was hit by an allegedly speeding driver in a Toyota Yaris hatchback just before 7am on Tuesday. She sustained critical injuries in the incident and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital but could not be saved. “She was such a kind, intelligent, caring and generous person who had a positive effect on many lives,” her family told 7News. “She will be dearly missed by many.” Walker was born in Grafton, NSW and studied at the University of New England in Armidale before gaining a PhD in English at the Australian National University. She moved to Perth in 1984 and was a Winthrop professor of English and cultural studies at the University of Western Australia. A spokesperson from the university has paid tribute to her saying they were deeply saddened to learn of her death. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Professor Walker’s family and friends at this time." A former student also paid tribute on social media, saying: “She was a teacher who changed my life with her great encouragement and her astute methods.” “She got into a lot of corners of my life because you only meet a proper guru every so often. It tends to affect you," he continued. “Brenda’s passing is a massive loss to Australian literature, because there are dozens like me with much the same story, and many many more who have met her through her brilliant writing. Her memory will be a monument.” She has written several award-winning novels including Reading By Moonlight, The Wing of the Night and Poe’s Cat. A 30-year-old man was allegedly driving the Yaris that struck her and was arrested at the scene. He was charged with dangerous driving causing death and appeared at the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Image: news.com.au/ 7News

Caring

Donald Bradman's baggy green sells for eye-watering price

Sir Donald Bradman's baggy green that he wore in his final Australian Test series has fetched nearly half a million at auction. The cap was worn by Bradman during the 1947-48 series, when the Indian team played on Australia soil for the first time in history. The baggy green fetched a whopping $390,000, with the final price totalling $479,700 including auction costs. It attracted significant interest from potential buyers from both Australia and overseas, with the winning buyer coming out on top after a 10 minute flurry at Bonhams Auction House in Sydney on Tuesday evening. The auction house described the cap as "sun faded and worn", with "some insect damage" and "some loss to edge of peak". The cap was also advertised as “the only known Baggy Green” to have been worn by Bradman during the series, where he cored 715 runs in six innings at an average of 178.75, with three centuries and a double-hundred. Bradman had gifted it to India's team manager at the time, who then gave it to the team's wicket keeper. While it is currently not known who placed the winning bid, the cap itself has particular significance to Indian fans, as the series took place just months after the country gained independence. For Aussie fans, the cap was worn during Bradman's final game on Australian soil, with the cricket legend embarking on a farewell tour of England afterwards. This is not the first cap of Bradman's to go under the hammer, with the cap he wore during his 1928 Test debut fetching over $450,000 plus fees in 2020. The late Shane Warne's baggy green currently holds the record for sale at auction, after selling for $1m when auctioned off in 2020. Image: Design Pics Inc/ Shutterstock Editorial

Money & Banking

Erin Patterson enters plea for murder charges

Erin Patterson will face trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to eight charges of murder and attempted murder. The 49-year-old is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66. All three <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-mushroom-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died </a>in hospital days after consuming an allegedly poisonous mushroom lunch at Patterson's home in South Gippsland July 29, 2023. She is also accused of the attempted murder of Heather Wilkinson’s husband Ian, and four separate attempts on her ex-husband’s life, with three occasions dating back to 2021. Patterson appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, and pleaded not guilty to all eight of her charges, including three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. Patterson told Magistrate Tim Walsh, "not guilty, Your Honour", as he read each of the charges. Her barrister, Colin Mandy SC, confirmed that she was going to use the “fast-track” method to have the case sent to the Supreme Court. The fast track method allows homicide cases to skip a committal hearing where a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if it could support a conviction. Walsh told Patterson hat under the fast track method, he did not have to judge the evidence and could commit her “solely on her election”. The decision also means that details of the prosecution case and her defence will not be aired publicly until after the trial. Patterson was arrested last November but has repeatedly denied the allegations. She was remanded in custody and will appear for a directions hearing at the Supreme Court on May 23. Images: Nine News

Legal

Accused mushroom killer moved to protected unit over safety fears

Erin Patterson, accused of poisoning three elderly individuals and attempting to murder several others, finds herself secluded within the confines of a protected unit in a Victorian prison. The move, reportedly necessitated by safety concerns, places Patterson away from the general prison population, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against her. According to sources cited by <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-ccok/accused-mushroom-murderer-in-jail-unit-with-pedophile-rapist/news-story/824c4f35c9d9b8f7553af2704836ea82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Herald Sun</a>, Patterson now resides in the protected wing of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a correctional facility in Victoria. The decision to relocate her stems from fears that she may face harm from fellow inmates due to the nature of her alleged crimes. The Herald's insider disclosed, "If Erin got out of protection, the girls would hurt her." Allegations of her involvement in the deaths of three elderly individuals have evidently rendered her a target among fellow inmates, necessitating stringent security measures. “She allegedly killed three elderly people," the source continued. “There’s a rule, you don’t touch the elderly and you don’t touch babies so because of that, you go into protection." Patterson stands accused of several crimes, including the murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, alongside Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Their deaths, following the consumption of a meal containing deadly mushrooms at Patterson's residence in Leongatha, shook the community. Furthermore, Patterson faces charges of attempted murder, notably targeting her ex-husband Simon and Heather Wilkinson's husband Ian, with the alleged attempts spanning over various dates. As Patterson awaits her court appearance scheduled for May, the case continues to captivate public attention. In the coming months, the court will delve deeper into the intricacies of the case, striving to uncover the truth behind the allegations. Image: News.com.au

Legal

AFP reveal what police dogs found in Erin Patterson's home

The Police Commissioner has revealed what detective dogs found during an extensive search of Erin Patterson's house after her arrest. Patterson, the Gippsland woman at the centre of a mushroom lunch that resulted in the deaths of three people, was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder late last year. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has shared that detective dogs uncovered a series of suspicious items, which were not found during the initial search of Patterson's home. "In November last year, the AFP provided its technology detector dogs to assist our hard-working colleagues at Victoria Police while executing a search warrant relating to individuals who had ingested death cap mushrooms," Kershaw told a Senate estimates hearing. "Technology Detector Dog Georgia found one USB, a micro secure digital card and a sim card." "Technology Detector Dog Alma found a mobile phone, five iPads, a trail camera, and a secure digital card and a smart watch." "These were not found during initial searches undertaken by officers." Patterson remains behind bars while police sift through the newly uncovered evidence, as she is expected to front court again on March 25th. The three murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges relate to a beef wellington lunch allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms that was cooked and served by Patterson at her home on July 29th 2023. The three other attempted murder charges relate to her husband Simon, 48, after he became sick following meals on three occasions between 2021 and 2022. Court documents revealed Patterson is accused of attempting to kill Simon on four occasions - between 16th and 17th November 2021, between 25th and 27th May 2022, on 6th September 2022 and at the mushroom lunch in July 2023. Image credits: Nine News / A Current Affair

Legal

Text messages reveal accused mushroom killer’s “horrible upbringing”

Texts that alleged triple murderer Erin Patterson sent to a friend have emerged revealing her "horrible upbringing". The texts were sent shortly after the death of Patterson's mum Heather Scutter in 2019, where she described her mother as "cold" and "weird". “My mum was ultra weird her whole life,” she wrote. “We had a horrible upbringing. Mum was essentially a cold robot. It was like being brought up in a Russian orphanage where they don’t touch babies. "That's what my psych reckons. She said she wishes she could have studied my mum lol." The messages, obtained by the Herald Sun, also revealed Patterson's lack of connection with her late father Eitan Scutter, who she called "a doormat." “Dad wanted to be warm and loving to us but mum wouldn’t let him because it would spoil us so he did as he was told,” she said. “She would shout at him if he did the wrong thing so he became very meek and compliant. “My sister and I would hide in our room most of the time so we couldn’t do anything wrong.” These texts have emerged after a former colleague of Patterson described her as “eccentric” and “abrasive”, during her time as an air traffic controller in the early 2000s. The former colleague also told the Herald Sun that Patterson was highly intelligent and capable as she was able to graduate from the challenging training course and work independently in the field. “She was rated in the field and was actually responsible for running airspace for a while,” the former colleague told the publication. “She’s very bright and much brighter than people might think. She managed to get guys wrapped around her little finger although she was very unkempt … and she was abrasive.” A spokesperson from Airservices Australia had also confirmed that Patterson was employed as an air traffic controller from 12 February 2001 until 28 November 2002. Patterson has been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, after being accused of serving up a beef Wellington pie that contained death cap mushrooms which resulted in the tragic deaths of Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson. The attempted murder charges relate to her estranged husband Simon Patterson, and Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson who miraculously survived but was hospitalised in critical conditions for nearly two months. Patterson's two children were also in attendance, but did not consume the same meal. Ian has since been released and attended his wife's memorial in October. Image: News.com.au <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">/ A Current Affair

Legal

Accused mushroom killer puts home up for sale

Erin Patterson, the woman charged with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eight counts of murder and attempted murder</a>, after allegedly lacing meals with death cap mushrooms, has put her Melbourne property up for sale. In a case that has gripped the nation, Patterson is facing these charges following the tragic incident that occurred on July 29, as well as historic incidents involving her former husband. The major incident involved a mushroom lunch hosted in Patterson's home in Leongatha, where her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, died shortly after allegedly consuming a beef wellington. Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson, who also had the meal, miraculously survived, but was hospitalised in critical condition for nearly two months before being released in September. Patterson is also charged with four counts of attempted murder of her former partner, Simon Patterson, in separate incidences between between November 2021 and September 2022 and on the day of the lunch. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Now, her $1 million townhouse in Melbourne's east at the suburb of Mount Waverley has hit the market. She first bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property in 2019, and has infrequently visited it. It is not the house where the fatal mushroom incident took place. The 249-square-metre townhouse, will go to auction at 11am on Saturday and is expected to sell for around $960,000 to $1,050,000. Real estate agency Ray White has pitched the home to downsizers and families that want to send their children to a good school. “Desired for its defined dimensions and convenient placement in the Mount Waverley Secondary Catchment (STSA), this easy-care townhouse is equally suited to those starting out or downsizing as it is for families and investors,’’ the agents said. They also provided a description of the townhouse, which read: “Quietly tucked at the rear of only two, the residence takes great care in providing a comfortable lifestyle with the lounge room enriched with large windows, while the dining zone is accompanied by a well-equipped kitchen complete with a Bosch dishwasher.” Images: Realestate.com.au / A Current Affair

Legal

Erin Patterson charged with EIGHT counts of murder and attempted murder

Erin Patterson has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder following the tragic death cap mushroom incident that occurred on July 29. The incident in question involved a mushroom lunch that resulted in the death of three people and severe illness in several others. Patterson's arrest and the subsequent investigation have brought this harrowing case to the forefront of public attention. On Thursday, just after 8am, 49-year-old <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-mushroom-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Patterson was taken into custody</a> by homicide squad detectives and brought to the Wonthaggi police station for questioning. Her Leongatha home was searched extensively with the assistance of Australian Federal Police technology detector dogs, specifically trained to identify items like electronic devices, sim cards and USB drives. As the investigation progressed, the grim reality of the situation emerged. Following that interview, Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder, and she was remanded in custody to appear at Morwell Magistrates’ Court the following morning. The murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges are linked to the mushroom lunch incident that took place on July 29. Three victims, Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson, lost their lives after allegedly consuming a beef wellington at Erin Patterson's residence. Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson, miraculously survived but was hospitalised in critical condition for nearly two months. He was released in September, appearing at his wife's memorial last month. Patterson's two children were also present during the ill-fated lunch but did not partake in the same meal. The three additional attempted murder charges pertain to separate alleged incidents occurring between 2021 and 2022. According to Victoria Police, a 48-year-old Korumburra man fell ill after consuming meals on these dates. It has been revealed that these charges are related to Patterson's ex-husband, Simon Patterson. The investigation at Patterson's residence on Thursday was a significant event, as police and their canine units combed through the property. They scrutinised a garage, shed, green bin and car while the trained dogs inspected the premises. Authorities suspect that the symptoms experienced by the diners were consistent with poisoning by death cap mushrooms, a highly toxic variety. Homicide detectives had previously identified Patterson as a suspect in the case. In her statement to the police, Patterson claimed that she had prepared a beef wellington using button mushrooms from a major supermarket and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store. She even stated that she had consumed a portion of the meal and later suffered from severe stomach pains and diarrhoea. This statement contrasts with the detectives' suggestion that she did not experience any ill effects. Throughout the investigation, Patterson has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Images: A Current Affair

Legal

Erin Patterson arrested over fatal mushroom meal

Erin Patterson has been arrested at her home in Victoria over her potential involvement in the suspicious deaths of three people. In July, Gail and Don Patterson, the parents of Erin Patterson's ex-husband, and Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, died from mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch hosted by the 49-year-old woman. Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson also attended the lunch and was critically ill, but recovered. All four had shared a meal, understood to be a beef Wellington, allegedly cooked by Patterson. Patterson was arrested early on Thursday morning, with AFP conducting a search of her home shortly after her arrest with technology detector dogs in tow. Veteran crime journalist John Silvester, of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mushroom-cook-erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-lunch-20231102-p5egxu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Age</a> newspaper, told Today Extra on Thursday that the dogs were a sophisticated police tool that can detect electronic devices. "These dogs are absolutely amazing and they can sniff out and have sniffed out a SIM card that was hidden in a bowl of garlic," he said. "They are there for a purpose. This is not speculation. They will be there looking for something like a mobile phone, a SIM card, or a memory disk." Police said Patterson will now be interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing, as no charges have officially been laid. Erin Patterson has always maintained she did not intentionally poison her guests, telling reporters at the time of their deaths that she was "devastated" by the loss of her relatives. "I didn't do anything, I loved them," she said. Image credits: A Current Affair

Legal

"Nobody wins": Sam Newman provides update after explosive outburst

The future of Sam Newman's podcast is in jeopardy after his co-host Don Scott has officially quit the program. The shock exit comes after Newman launched into an expletive-ridden tirade at Scott last week in a now deleted segment of the podcast, which ended with Newman telling Scott to "f**k off" as he left the building. Now, Scott has returned to the You Cannot Be Serious podcast, but only to confirm he isn't coming back. “You do whatever you want to do … (but) what is the point of trying to have a discussion with somebody who is going off their brain?” Scott asked. “You do not talk to anybody no matter whether it is on-air or wherever in life when they are not rational, so you walk away." “I’m not getting into this … This is like a domestic and nobody wins in a domestic." “You can put your view as much as you like and I am not here to defend or whatever else." “Everybody has a different personality. I am not in to conflict.” Newman, who refused to believe he overreacted during the argument, asked, “Can we finally say that you’re not going to do the podcast anymore? Is that what’s going to happen?” Scott replied, “That’s fine at the moment, no.” Newman doubled down, saying, “This is history … This is breaking news. Don has now left the building, as Elvis has, and he’s not going to do the podcast anymore." “This is another show of disgraceful behaviour from someone who is acting like a child … it’s beyond belief.” Later on social media, Newman said that if Scott wasn't taking part in the podcast anymore, he wasn't sure how long they would continue with the show. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyPXhh5vX0W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyPXhh5vX0W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John ‘Sam’ Newman (@originalsmartassam)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Won’t do it without Don, and even if he reconsiders, it will not be the same. So …” He finished the video by leaving the future of the podcast up the air, saying “You Cannot Be Serious, I don’t know if we’ll be on again but who cares.” Speaking to the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/fiona-byrne/sam-newman-blows-his-stack-as-don-scott-quits-their-podcast/news-story/97e08f9c1549100c36e0dfc7fe46cfab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a> after the podcast dropped, Newman labelled Scott’s exit a “pathetic act of treachery”. “I am a friend of Don’s, yes, nice to know who you are dealing with though, someone who won’t stand up and face the music if you have a disagreement, not sure how that works,” he said. “Walking away from something shows a complete disregard for any relationship you have had in the past. “That is just a pathetic act of treachery.” Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram

News

"F*** off, go home": Sam Newman loses it at podcast co-host

Sam Newman's podcast could be on the rocks after an expletive-ridden tirade caused a rift between the pair. The former AFL player hosts the You Cannot Be Serious podcast with Don Scott, who stormed off in the middle of a recording. The Herald Sun first reported Newman’s foul-mouthed blow up at Scott over technical issues they were having in the studio. “Holy s**t. Jesus Christ, if you touch that f***ing thing again. Stop it, I’m serious, f*** you, God almighty,” Newman said. Newman went on to say: “I can’t do it. If you could f***ing do something properly for once in your f***ing life, don’t touch the microphone and speak into it and stop eating. F***. Go out, go home.” As Scott appeared to walk away, Newman said, “Good, f*** off”. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx9g3W9vuRB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx9g3W9vuRB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John ‘Sam’ Newman (@originalsmartassam)</a> </div> </blockquote> Newman posted a video to his Instagram page to promote the episode of the podcast, with his producer saying, "We've just had the biggest blow up that I've ever seen, and I don't know if Don is going to be back." Sam then chimed in, saying "Don has left the premises! This podcast could be the last one we ever do because he left!" Newman and Scott have both spoken publicly since the argument with Newman admitting he “temporarily lost it” when Scott broke a microphone and headphones. When approached by the Herald Sun for a comment on the blow up, Don Scott refused to confirm if he would ever return to the podcast, leaving its future up in the air. Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram

News

"Immense relief": Death cap mushroom survivor released from hospital

Ian Wilkinson, the survivor of a suspected mushroom poisoning incident, has been discharged from Melbourne's Austin Hospital after spending two months in critical condition following a family gathering. Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor residing in the quaint South Gippsland town of Korrumburra, was among four individuals who fell seriously ill after consuming a beef Wellington dish suspected to have been contaminated with death cap mushrooms. Tragically, Wilkinson's wife, Heather, lost her life in the aftermath, as did Heather's sister, Gail Patterson, and her husband, Don. Ian managed to pull through, and his release from the hospital marked a significant milestone in his recovery. The Wilkinson family expressed their profound gratitude towards the hospital staff for their relentless dedication and exceptional care during this challenging period. "We are pleased to announce that Ian Wilkinson has made significant progress in his recovery and was released from Austin Hospital on Friday," the family said in a statement. "This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family. "The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian's recovery. "The medical team's expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey. "Additionally, the family is profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes from the Korumburra community, church, friends, family, and colleagues. "This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community. "As Ian continues his journey towards full recovery, the Wilkinson family kindly requests that their privacy be respected." Meanwhile, the woman responsible for preparing the ill-fated meal, Erin Patterson, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains a suspect</a> as police homicide detectives continue their investigation into the three tragic deaths. She vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Image: Facebook

Caring

Son of death cap mushroom victim reveals mother's last message

Simon Patterson, the son of Don and Gail Patterson, who tragically fell victim to a mushroom-related incident in Victoria, has spoken emotionally at a public memorial in Korumburra. This marked Simon's first public address since the unfortunate incident. Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, tragically passed away after consuming a mushroom-infused meal at Erin Patterson's residence in Leongatha, Victoria. At the Korumburra Recreation Centre, Simon emotionally shared, “Mum and dad were very much a team working at life together. The fact they died on consecutive days is fitting in some ways, as it reflects their togetherness as a couple that they always worked so hard to grow.” Simon also disclosed the remarkable resilience of his father, who, despite being in his 70s, managed to survive an emergency liver transplant after the toxic meal. Sadly, his overall health deteriorated rapidly thereafter. Simon recounted the final message his mother sent to their family group chat before her hospitalisation, expressing gratitude for the love they shared. “It was no fluke that mum’s final text message as she lay in Dandenong Hospital was: ‘Lots of love to you all’. "As Mum and Dad lay in comas in the hospital in their final days and each day, we were unsure if they would recover or not, it was comforting to know that when we said: ‘See you later,’ we knew it was true. “The only thing we didn’t know was when. In the meantime, we’ll miss them.” Simon acknowledged his parents' strong Christian faith and emphasised that they were open-minded believers who respected diverse perspectives. He reflected on their perspective on death as an inevitable part of life but not the ultimate end. In a gesture of gratitude, Simon thanked the medical staff at Austin and Dandenong hospitals for their care, particularly noting the compassionate act that allowed Gail to see Don one last time before his transfer to the ICU. Heather Wilkinson's situation remains critical, and her husband, Ian Wilkinson, a church pastor, is recovering in the hospital after consuming the same meal. Reverend Fran Grimes expressed support for Ian's recovery during the memorial service. Detectives are collaborating with the Department of Health to further investigate the incident. Images: 7 News / Twitter (X)

Family & Pets

Past charges against mushroom poisoning suspect uncovered

Erin Patterson, the woman under investigation for allegedly cooking the deadly mushroom meal that claimed the lives of three people, has previously faced a series of charges after being involved in a drunk-driving incident. According to reports from The Australian, the 49-year-old was convicted in 2004 of driving drunk in an unregistered vehicle. Court records have revealed that Patterson, who was then known as Erin Trudi Scutter and was aged 29, faced legal consequences for her reckless actions, losing her license for 30 months after crashing her vehicle in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne while heavily intoxicated. The reports revealed that after the crash, she fled from authorities by speeding away from the crash scene, reaching 95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The convictions that were handed down were for charges of failing to stop a vehicle after an accident, failing to provide identifying information after causing property damage, using an unregistered vehicle on a highway, failing to provide information after property damage, and driving at 95 km/h in a restricted 60 km/h zone. At the time of the crash, Erin's blood alcohol level was 0.14 per cent, indicating significant impairment, however the charges of drink driving were dropped, potentially due to overlapping elements in other charges. Patterson has yet to comment on the previous charges, after being advised by her lawyer not to make any public comments as she remains under investigation for the deadly mushroom meal. She has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied any wrongdoing</a> in the mushroom incident, although according to police, they are investigating Patterson because she was the only adult among five who did not either die or suffer severe illness after ingesting the deadly mushrooms. Image credits: A Current Affair

Legal

Details of Erin Patterson's police statement around fatal mushroom meal revealed

The woman who prepared a mushroom meal that is believed to have caused the deaths of three individuals has finally disclosed her full account of the events that transpired. According to a written statement submitted to Victoria Police on Friday August 11 – and exclusively <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-14/mushroom-poisoning-leongatha-erin-patterson-police-statement/102725876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained by the ABC</a> – Erin Patterson has provided a comprehensive narrative of the incidents leading up to and following the fatal meal. "I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones," Ms Patterson said in her statement. "I am hoping this statement might help in some way. I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement. I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved." The tragic incident occurred in Leongatha, a town southeast of Melbourne, where Ms. Patterson's mother and father-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, lost their lives after consuming lunch at Ms. Patterson's residence on July 29. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, was left in critical condition. The circumstances surrounding the incident have led to speculation within the South Gippsland community, with heightened curiosity as police have been tight-lipped about their ongoing investigation. Authorities have mentioned that the victims displayed symptoms consistent with the consumption of death cap mushrooms. Although Ms. Patterson was initially treated as a suspect, investigators have maintained an open-minded approach to the case. In her statement, Ms. Patterson expressed regret for following the advice to give a "no comment" interview to the police in the immediate aftermath of the deaths. She admitted that she now wishes she had answered some questions, given the nightmare that has unfolded since. The police interview left Ms. Patterson feeling terrified and anxious. She recounted that on the day of the incident, she prepared a beef wellington meal for herself and her elderly guests. Contrary to earlier reports, Ms. Patterson clarified that her children had actually gone to the movies before lunch and were not present during the meal. According to her statement, she served the meal and allowed her guests to select their own plates. She then had a serving of beef wellington herself. The mushrooms used in the dish were a mixture of button mushrooms from a major supermarket chain and dried mushrooms purchased months earlier from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne. Ms. Patterson disclosed that her children consumed the leftovers the next evening. Notably, they do not like mushrooms, so she had removed the mushrooms from their portions. She revealed that she had also suffered from severe stomach pains and diarrhoea after the lunch, leading her to be hospitalised as well. She was administered a liver protective drug via a saline drip and was transferred to Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. As her guests fell ill, the Department of Health contacted Ms. Patterson to inquire about the possible cause of the adverse reactions. She provided samples of the leftover meal for examination by hospital toxicologists. She also mentioned sharing information about where she purchased the mushrooms but was unable to pinpoint the specific shop in Melbourne. Addressing media reports about the seizure of a food dehydrator at a local tip, Ms. Patterson admitted that she had initially lied to investigators about disposing of the dehydrator. She stated that she panicked due to concerns about her children's custody and discarded it. In her statement, she acknowledged caring for her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, after he suffered a severe stomach illness unrelated to the current incident. She reluctantly nursed him after his hospital discharge and informed him that she did not wish to reconcile. She clarified that Simon had initially intended to attend the fatal lunch but had informed her of his absence prior to the event. Ms. Patterson expressed deep affection and respect for her parents-in-law and highlighted their positive influence on her children. She offered her willingness to assist the police further, including the possibility of a re-interview. The police investigation into the deaths remains ongoing, and Ms. Patterson has indicated her readiness to cooperate. Images: Facebook / A Current Affair

Legal

New details emerge in fatal mushroom poisoning incident

The former spouse of the Victorian woman responsible for preparing a meal for three individuals who tragically passed away, was placed in a medically induced coma last year following an unexpected severe digestive ailment. The revelation surfaces as <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/forensic-tests-on-food-dehydrator-found-at-tip-after-mushroom-deaths-20230808-p5dusv.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Age Newspaper reports</a> that law enforcement have carried out forensic testing on a dehydrator found at a waste disposal site near Erin Patterson's home in Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne. Investigators are now exploring whether this apparatus was utilised to preserve the mushrooms before being discarded. The Age has additionally gained access to Erin's ex-husband Simon's social media posts, in which he recounts a mysterious severe gastrointestinal illness that nearly claimed his life. "I collapsed at home and subsequently spent 16 days in an induced coma, undergoing three emergency surgeries mainly targeting my small intestine, along with another planned surgical procedure," he wrote. "My family was summoned twice to bid me farewell as my chances of survival were minimal." Within the same social media post, he extended gratitude to Ms. Patterson for her support. Despite their separation, the two maintain an amicable relationship. Patterson, aged 48, cooked the fateful lunch which law enforcement suspect might have contained death cap mushrooms. The mother of two is now under police scrutiny after the demise of her ex-husband Simon Patterson's parents, Gail and Don Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Heather's husband, Ian, is currently in critical condition at Melbourne's Austin Hospital and is awaiting a liver transplant. All four individuals exhibited symptoms consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning following the lunch, which occurred on July 29. Ms Patterson has consistently <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/i-didn-t-do-anything-i-love-them-woman-who-cooked-meal-with-deadly-mushrooms-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maintained her innocence</a>, expressing that she held strong affection for her in-laws, particularly considering Gail's role as a motherly figure. Police have also characterised the case as intricate and potentially devoid of malicious intent. Death cap mushrooms possess the potential to cause grave damage to the liver and kidneys, leading to fatality. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort vomiting, and nausea, yet much of the harm can transpire before symptoms surface. Ms Patterson herself remained unaffected by the luncheon she organised, and her two children have been taken into protective custody as a preventive measure, according to police statements. Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide Squad indicated that authorities are yet to determine whether they are dealing with a potential crime or an unfortunate accident. Images: Facebook / A Current Affair

Legal

Don Giovanni Sydney: Review

From the first spine-tingling chord the orchestra plays beneath a stage covered in skulls and shrouded in shadow, Don Giovanni at the Sydney Opera House promises a thrilling take on the iconic opera. Ukrainian baritone Andrei Kymach shines as the suave Don Giovanni, highlighting the anti-hero’s enjoyment of his lifestyle and his unrepentant nature and showing off his velvety tone. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/01/don-giovanni1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Andrei Kymach as Don Giovanni and the cast of Don Giovanni. Image: Keith Saunders (Supplied) Kymach is joined in his Australian debut by French-Israeli bass-baritone Yuri Kissin as Leporello, who brings a slice of comedic light to an otherwise dark and grim production. Acting as the “conscience” of his machiavellian and unrepenting master, Kissin does this all while delivering a rich tone and perfectly executing Mozart’s rapid passages. Following the final day of Don Giovanni’s life, the downfall of the serial rapist and scoundrel is apparent from the very beginning, in a story that is packed to the brim with vengeance, grief and rage. In a post-#metoo world, the solidarity between Donna Anna (Sophie Salvesani), Donna Elvira (Bronwyn Douglass), and Zerlina (Cathy-Di Zhang) in holding Don Giovanni accountable for his actions is a standout theme. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/01/don-giovanni2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Juan de Dios Mateos as Don Ottavio and Sophie Salvasani as Donna Elvira (left), Bronwyn Douglass as Donna Anna (middle), Cathy-Di Zhang and Andrew Williams as Zerlina and Masetto. Images: Keith Saunders (Supplied) Whisperings of what he’s really like and Donna Anna’s unrelenting campaign to prevent others from sharing her fate are moments that are reminiscent of the stories of women protecting each other from male abusers in the real world. Even in contrast to the scale of Don Giovanni’s misdeeds, no-one is without flaws and the cast portray their characters as authentic and messily human. Salvesani offers a believable depiction of grief and a need for justice following the death of her father, the Commendatore (David Parkin), while Douglass offers up a rich portrayal of a woman torn between love for Don Giovanni, hatred at his deceptions and grief over his impending death, and Zhang straddles the line between loyalty to her husband and the allure of a better life with Don Giovanni. Andrew Williams’ portrayal of Masetto throws an ugly light over the peasant’s jealousy and misguided anger towards his new bride, the victim of Don Giovanni’s attention, while Juan de Dios Mateos brings the supportive yet impatient Don Ottavio to life with great vocal artistry and control. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/01/don-giovanni3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The cast of Don GIovanni at the Sydney Opera House. Image: Keith Saunders (Supplied) This rendition of David McVicar’s Gothic reimagining - where even the chorus become part of the scenery - features a cast of debuting stars, supported by a slimmed-down orchestra that perfectly captures the range of Mozart’s score, from the boisterous celebration of Zerlina and Masetto’s nuptials to the chilling moment Parkin appears on Don Giovanni’s doorstep as the ghoulish statue of the Commendatore. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/01/don-giovanni4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> David Parkin as Commendatore and Andrei Kymach as Don Giovanni. Image: Keith Saunders (Supplied) Don Giovanni’s fate - being dragged to the Underworld by harpies with abdominal wounds of unknown origin - carries a haunting warning that our actions - and particularly our willingness to change - comes with consequences. Don Giovanni will be playing at the Sydney Opera House until February 17. To get tickets, head <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/don-giovanni-sydney?scroll=story">here</a>. Images: Keith Saunders (Supplied)

Music

Don Bradman's private retreat hits the market

A home once owned by renowned cricketer Sir Donald Bradman is on the market following his daughter-in-law’s decision to sell. The property has been listed with a price guide of $1.95 million. Bradman first bought the home in Adelaide Hills 62 years ago with his son John, who changed his last name to Bradsen to avoid unwanted attention. John’s former wife, Judith, has lived there for the past 27 years. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844909/bradman9.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a91958992cda4f46a6b284d34226ed05" /> The original certificate of title signed by Sir Donald Bradman. Image: Raine & Horne Strathalbyn “The press were always interested in Don, so this place provided a space where he could enjoy his family life without being observed,” Ms Bradsen <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bradmans-hills-haven-at-117-sheoak-rd-crafers-west-set-to-bowl-market-over/">said</a>. “He could just be himself here because when we dined out people would always approach him. Nobody knew he owned it, nobody. Only very close family friends of Don and then John and mine enjoyed the property.” Ms Bradsen said her father-in-law would often spend time at the property enjoying the outdoors and doing maintenance work. “In the early days, he would come up here often,” she said. “He spent a lot of time clearing the woody weeds and he enjoyed the odd bonfire. “He had a fire get away from him once in the valley. We would joke about it later, and I’m not sure if the CFS was called or not back in the day. The property, known as Glenquarry Farm, sits on a whopping 8.893-hectare allotment, and is believed to have been built by a runaway from a British naval expedition in 1836. A four-bedroom freestanding home sits on the property, as well as outbuildings, a cellar, a studio, and a stable. The property also features a decommissioned Mt Lofty freestone quarry, extensive gardens, and a stretch of lawn well-suited to a game of cricket. Natural stone, slatted timber, and open fires are found throughout the home, which also includes a separate wing for guests and an undercover, gabled courtyard. The home has also seen several renovations over the years, with “The Don” playing his part. “Every time I paint I think of him telling me what to do because he was a keen painter,” Ms Bradsen said. “The simplicity of the house really reflects his tastes - the modesty of the cottage, I think he enjoyed. “He always had his own chair and he would sit on the verandah and watch everyone play, and our children climbed over him and loved him dearly.” Ms Bradsen has said it was time to move on to a new home after living alone at the property for many years, and hopes a new family can enjoy it. “I’m downsizing and I’d rather have this place enjoyed by more than just one person,” she said. Paul Clifford of Raine & Horne Strathalbyn is managing the sale of the home, which has been described as a “unique and historic hideaway” according to <a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/strathalbyn/properties/117-sheoak-road-crafers-west-5152-south-australia">the listing</a>. Images: Getty Images, Raine & Horne Strathalbyn

Real Estate

Gold! Gold! Gold! Australia wins gold to lead the Paralympics

The Paralympics have started in Tokyo and on the first day, Australia has won six gold medals, one silver and three bronze which puts us at the top of the medal tally. It was Australian cyclists who won the first two medals of the Games. Paige Greco and Emily Petricola both won their cycling events at the velodrome – the first two medals of the Games. The swimmers took things a step further with four golds to William Martin, Lakeisha Patterson and best mates Ben Popham and Rowan Crothers. Popham – who won both the men’s S8 100m freestyle - said to the media at the time: "I always tell my friends and family at home to not stress at the 50 if I'm not leading, and I quietly backed myself to reel 'em in but it still feels incredible." "I'm not sure the emotion's going to set in for a while," he added. Winners talked about the positive effect of the Games When talking to the media, our winners were full of inspiring messages for young people with disabilities, talking about how competing for the Games has transformed their lives. Rowan Crowthers, who won the S10 50m freestyle and suffers from cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease said: "When I was really young, my disability was so severe and I started with swimming to help my cerebral palsy as that kind of therapy.” "Back then, I hated it. I couldn't stand it”, he said. "If it wasn't for discovering the Paralympics, I never would have even come close to this. It's amazing to come up here and do this now and I've proved that I'm not just a person with a disability, I'm also an elite athlete," he added. Petricola said, after recording a world record at the Games, said she found her sport at a critical turning point in her life, kicking off a journey which has come to the point where she won her cycling event at the Games. She said "words can't describe" how grateful she was to Olympic rowing silver medallist Matt Ryan for suggesting she take up cycling and push for Tokyo and five-time Olympic cyclist Shane Kelly for his help along the way. "They've changed my life and they've saved my life," she said, before going on to thank her family and a long list of other supporters. Excellence in the middle-distance swimming The next events at the Paralympics were the middle-distance swimming and William Martin and Lakeisha Patterson took out the men's and women's S9 400m freestyle. Patterson powered home to win over Hungary's Zsofia Konkoly while Martin said he was just following his coach's instructions. "He told me to jump into this race as a bit of an introduction to the meet," said Martin, standing alongside bronze medal winning teammate Alexander Tuckfield. "I went alright, I guess I'll just do what I'm told, see how things go, and yeah, here we are." Patterson said: “All I could do was attack it from the start and hold on. It was such a good race by everyone. I knew I had it in me. I knew what I was capable of but to be able to finally put all the pieces together was really exciting. "It's been such a long, hard couple of years. So, it's just really really nice — oh my god, I told my couch I wasn't going to cry," she added. Still in the pool, Paige Leonhardt claimed silver in the S14 women's butterfly, just a second ahead of teammate Ruby Storm who won third. Benjamin James Hance finished third in the men's equivalent of the same race. Photos: Getty Images

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Multiple charges dropped as fatal mushroom lunch trial begins

Cold Chisel member's sister dies in tragic accident

Donald Bradman's baggy green sells for eye-watering price

Erin Patterson enters plea for murder charges

Accused mushroom killer moved to protected unit over safety fears

AFP reveal what police dogs found in Erin Patterson's home

Text messages reveal accused mushroom killer’s “horrible upbringing”

Accused mushroom killer puts home up for sale

Erin Patterson charged with EIGHT counts of murder and attempted murder

Erin Patterson arrested over fatal mushroom meal

"Nobody wins": Sam Newman provides update after explosive outburst

"F*** off, go home": Sam Newman loses it at podcast co-host

"Immense relief": Death cap mushroom survivor released from hospital

Son of death cap mushroom victim reveals mother's last message

Past charges against mushroom poisoning suspect uncovered

Details of Erin Patterson's police statement around fatal mushroom meal revealed

New details emerge in fatal mushroom poisoning incident

Don Giovanni Sydney: Review

Don Bradman's private retreat hits the market

Gold! Gold! Gold! Australia wins gold to lead the Paralympics

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