Latest news with #Gippsland
ABC News
4 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Gippsland communities fear erosion protection not coping with rising tides
Protective works paid for by the state government to shelter the coastline of southern Gippsland have failed in the wake of recent abnormal tidal activity. It has spurred renewed calls for permanent protective works to prevent further erosion, with some residents terrified that rising water could submerge their homes. Almost 150 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club has been battling creeping coastal erosion for years. A 70-metre geotextile container wall was built in Inverloch in 2020 for $450,000. But sand erosion has since spread behind the wall and encroached on the clubhouse. Sand dunes abutting the clubhouse were hammered by abnormally high tidal water in late May. The water rose close to 3 metres throughout the week, breaking past a temporary fence installed to help prevent further erosion. Surf lifesaving club president Glenn Arnold said a stronger wall was the long-term solution. "If you're asking me, and I know this is a contentious issue, I'm saying throw rocks at it," he said. "It's not a wall, it's an ingress. "So it's protecting the dunes, backfilling behind the ingress into the ocean to allow more sand to collect." Mr Arnold said a wall made of rocks would be more suited to the area. "They're cost efficient, they're environmentally friendly, they're aesthetically pleasing, more so than ugly manufactured sandbags," he said. Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, said the Bass Coast Shire Council and the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) were monitoring both areas with designs to repair and extend the geotextile wall. A call for tenders has been put out for the reconstruction project. When asked if there was a need for stronger coastal erosion mitigation works, Ms Crugnale said the government was being directed by experts and science. Further along the coastline at Phillip Island, a $565,000 rock bag wall installed in April to protect residential properties in Silverleaves has failed to protect the beach. Residents watched as the wall of mesh bags filled with rocks struggled to fight the surge of rising high tides. Seawater has swept up behind the bags, cutting into the shoreline. Cowes resident and member of the Silverleaves Conservation Association, Will Dwyer, said a lot of sand and trees had been lost. "We've lost a number of banksia trees that have come down, and it doesn't look like it's going to stop." Rather than block the tide, Mr Dwyer said the rock bags had shifted the problem further down the beach. He said residents were frustrated and tired of fighting for a solution. "This has been going on for years. We've been fighting for years to get something to happen, and in that time we've lost 18 to 20 metres of foreshore," he said. "We're just concerned that it took years for them to do what they've done. "If it's going to take another couple of years, we're just going to keep losing foreshore until Silverleaves becomes inundated." A spokesperson for Bass Coast Shire Council said contractors would reinstate sand at both ends of the Inverloch sandbag wall this week. In March, the Victorian government announced more than $17 million in funding to address coastal erosion, safety risks and access issues across the state's most vulnerable sections of coastline, from Warrnambool to Lakes Entrance. A DEECA spokesperson said the government would continue to work with the council to monitor coastal hazards. Community members can have their say on the Engage Victoria website before June 8.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Murder accused to take the witness stand for a third straight day
Everything you need to know about the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial so far Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, after allegedly serving them a beef Wellington lunch made with death cap mushrooms. Patterson is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending several weeks in an intensive care unit. The court heard Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the gathering at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, but didn't attend. Witnesses told the jury Patterson ate her serving from a smaller, differently-coloured plate than those of her guests, who ate off four grey plates. Patterson told authorities she bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in the Monash area of Melbourne, but health inspectors could find no evidence of this. Victoria's health department said the death cap mushroom poisoning was 'isolated' to Patterson's deadly lunch. Multiple witnesses, including Erin's estranged husband, Heather's husband and other family members, have given emotionally-charged evidence to the jury. Medical staff have told the jury of the painful symptoms the dying lunch guests and Mr Wilkinson suffered. An expert witness told the court that death cap mushrooms were detected in debris taken from a dehydrator Patterson had allegedly dumped at a local tip. Telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell also told the jury Patterson's phone was detected near areas at Outtrim and Loch, in the Gippsland region, where death cap mushrooms had been spotted. Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad senior digital forensics officer Shamen Fox-Henry said he found evidence of a death cap mushroom on data from a computer seized from Patterson's Leongatha home on August 5, 2023. Austin Hospital intensive care director Professor Stephen Warrillow told the jury he was at the Melbourne health facility in July 2023 when the poisoned lunch guests were transferred to his care. Professor Warrillow said all patients were given intense treatment and Don received a liver transplant. Ian Wilkinson sat in court and listened as details of how his wife died from death cap poisoning were aired in court. The jury also heard the text exchanges between health department officer Sally Anne Atkinson and Patterson in the days after the deadly lunch as authorities rushed to get answers. The jury was shown the police interview Patterson took part in shortly after her home was searched on August 5. Detectives seized a manual for a Sunbeam hydrator but Patterson denied in her interview that she had ever owned such an appliance. Patterson also told police she invited her in-laws for lunch because she loved them and they were like real family to her. Homicide Squad detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall told the court officers searched for a Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone A' – but it was never found. Sen-Constable Eppingstall also said another Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone B' – was factory reset multiple times including while police searched Patterson's Leongatha home. He said Phone B was later remotely wiped while it was kept in a secure locker at the Homicide Squad headquarters in Melbourne. The jury also heard Patterson's family had a history of cancer and her daughter had a benign ovarian cancer cyst removed. Lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC suggested to Sen-Constable Eppingstall that a photo taken during the Leongatha police search depicted the mysterious Phone A. Mr Mandy also highlighted other devices he suggested police failed to seize including laptops and a USB stick. Later, the jury heard Facebook messages between Patterson and her online friends in which they discussed Simon, pets and the death of actress Kirstie Alley. The jury also heard Signal messages between Don and Erin in which Don and Gail (pictured) wished Patterson well and also prayed for her health. On Friday, the jury heard more messages between Erin, Don, Gail and Simon. They discussed Patterson's health and Don also offered to help tutor Erin's son. Erin also praised Gail in another message. 'Happy Mother's Day to the best mother-in-law anyone could ever ask for,' Erin wrote. Late on Monday, the Crown led by Dr Nanette Rogers (pictured) closed it's case and Patterson herself entered the witness box. A huge crowd of people (pictured) lined up outside court on Tuesday to listen to Patterson give evidence that she foraged for wild mushrooms and accept death cap mushrooms were in the lethal lunch meal. The trial continues.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- General
- SBS Australia
Erin Patterson gives evidence for a second day in mushroom deaths trial
Erin Patterson gives evidence for a second day in mushroom deaths trial Published 3 June 2025, 8:22 am Accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson says she accepts death cap mushrooms were in the deadly lunch she served relatives at her Gippsland home. In her second day of evidence, Patterson told the Supreme Court how she developed a fascination for wild mushrooms in the years leading up to the family gathering.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: All the latest
Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, after allegedly serving them a beef Wellington lunch made with death cap mushrooms. Patterson is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending several weeks in an intensive care unit. The court heard Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the gathering at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, but didn't attend. Witnesses told the jury Patterson ate her serving from a smaller, differently-coloured plate than those of her guests, who ate off four grey plates. Patterson told authorities she bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in the Monash area of Melbourne, but health inspectors could find no evidence of this. Victoria's health department said the death cap mushroom poisoning was 'isolated' to Patterson's deadly lunch. Multiple witnesses, including Erin's estranged husband, Heather's husband and other family members, have given emotion-charged evidence to the jury. Medical staff have told the jury of the painful symptoms the dying lunch guests and Mr Wilkinson suffered. An expert witness told the court that death cap mushrooms were detected in debris taken from a dehydrator Patterson had dumped at a local tip. Telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell also told the jury Patterson's phone was detected near areas at Outtrim and Loch, in the Gippsland region, where death cap mushrooms had been spotted. Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad senior digital forensics officer Shamen Fox-Henry said he found evidence of a death cap mushroom on data from a computer seized from Patterson's Leongatha home on August 5, 2023. On Friday, Austin Hospital intensive care director Professor Stephen Warrillow told the jury he was at the Melbourne health facility in July 2023 when the poisoned lunch guests were transferred to his care. Professor Warrillow said all patients were given intense treatment and Don received a liver transplant. Ian Wilkinson sat in court and listened as details of how his wife died from death cap poisoning were aired in court. The jury also heard the text exchanges between health department officer Sally Anne Atkinson and Patterson in the days after the deadly lunch as authorities rushed to get answers. On Tuesday, the jury was shown the police interview Patterson took part in shortly after her home was searched on August 5. Detectives seized a manual for a Sunbeam hydrator but Patterson denied in her interview that she had ever owned such an appliance. Patterson also told police she invited her in-laws for lunch because she loved them and they were like real family to her. Homicide Squad detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall told the court officers searched for a Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone A' – but it was never found. Sen-Constable Eppingstall also said another Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone B' – was factory reset multiple times including while police searched Patterson's Leongatha home. He said Phone B was later remotely wiped while it was kept in a secure locker at the Homicide Squad headquarters in Melbourne. The jury also heard Patterson's family had a history of cancer and her daughter had a benign ovarian cancer cyst removed. On Thursday, lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC (pictured) suggested to Sen-Constable Eppingstall that a photo taken during the Leongatha police search depicted the mysterious Phone A. Mr Mandy also highlighted other devices he suggested police failed to seize including laptops and a USB stick. Later, the jury heard Facebook messages between Patterson and her online friends in which they discussed Simon, pets and the death of actress Kirstie Alley. The jury also heard Signal messages between Don and Erin in which Don and Gail (pictured) wished Patterson well and also prayed for her health. On Friday, the jury heard more messages between Erin, Don, Gail and Simon. They discussed Patterson's health and Don also offered to help tutor Erin's son. Erin also praised Gail in another message. 'Happy Mother's Day to the best mother-in-law anyone could ever ask for,' Erin wrote. The trial continues.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Facebook messages about accused killer's family revealed: 'What morons'
00:23 Everything you need to know about the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial so far Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, after allegedly serving them a beef Wellington lunch made with death cap mushrooms. Patterson is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending several weeks in an intensive care unit. The court heard Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the gathering at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, but didn't attend. Witnesses told the jury Patterson ate her serving from a smaller, differently-coloured plate than those of her guests, who ate off four grey plates. Patterson told authorities she bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in the Monash area of Melbourne, but health inspectors could find no evidence of this. Victoria's health department said the death cap mushroom poisoning was 'isolated' to Patterson's deadly lunch. Multiple witnesses, including Erin's estranged husband, Heather's husband and other family members, have given emotion-charged evidence to the jury. Medical staff have told the jury of the painful symptoms the dying lunch guests and Mr Wilkinson suffered. An expert witness told the court death cap mushrooms were detected in debris taken from a dehydrator Patterson had dumped at a local tip. Telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell also told the jury Patterson's phone was detected near areas at Outtrim and Loch, in the Gippsland region, where death cap mushrooms had been spotted. Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad senior digital forensics officer Shamen Fox-Henry said he found evidence of a death cap mushroom on data from a computer seized from Patterson's Leongatha home on August 5, 2023. On Friday, Austin Hospital intensive care director Professor Stephen Warrillow told the jury he was at the Melbourne health facility in July 2023 when the poisoned lunch guests were transferred to his care. Professor Warrillow said all patients were given intense treatment and Don received a liver transplant. Ian Wilkinson sat in court and listened as details of how his wife died from death cap poisoning were aired in court. The jury also heard the text exchanges between health department officer Sally Anne Atkinson and Patterson in the days after the deadly lunch as authorities rushed to solve the cause of the outbreak. On Tuesday, the jury was shown the police interview Patterson took part in shortly after her home was searched on August 5. Detectives seized a manual for a Sunbeam hydrator but Patterson denied in her interview that she had ever owned such an appliance. Patterson also told police she invited her in-laws for lunch because she loved them and they were like real family to her. Homicide Squad detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall told the court officers searched for a Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone A' – but it was never found. Sen-Constable Eppingstall also said another Samsung Galaxy A23 – known as 'Phone B' – was factory reset multiple times including while police searched Patterson's Leongatha home. He said Phone B was later remotely wiped while it was kept in a secure locker at the Homicide Squad headquarters in Melbourne. The jury also heard Patterson's family had a history of cancer and her daughter had a benign ovarian cancer cyst removed. On Thursday, lead defence barrister Colin Mandy suggested to Sen-Constable Eppingstall that a photo taken during the Leongatha police search depicted the mysterious Phone A. Mr Mandy also highlighted other devices he suggested police failed to seize including laptops and a USB stick. Later, the jury heard Facebook messages between Patterson and her online friends in which they discussed Simon, pets and the death of actress Kirstie Alley. The jury also heard Signal messages between Don and Erin in which Don and Gail (pictured) wished Patterson well and also prayed for her health. The trial continues. What Patterson said about her ex in Facebook group chat The major development of Thursday happened late in the day when defence barrister Colin Mandy SC showed homicide detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall Facebook messages between Erin Patterson and her 'online friends'. Mr Mandy (pictured) said they came from a report which contained 186 pages of chat messages between a number of people. The jury heard a friend sent a message: 'What 'morons.' That was followed by: 'Anyway, you weren't asking them to adjudicate, you just wanted them to hear your story'. Patterson responded: 'I said to him about 50 times yesterday that I didn't want them to adjudicate. 'Nobody bloody listens to me. At least I know they're a lost cause.' Another friend wrote: 'If you haven't heard from Simon, invite him for a response.' Another wrote: 'It's pathetic.' A third wrote: 'If he doesn't want to talk about your marriage, they could at least demand to know how he's financially supporting the kids.' Mr Mandy suggested the friends were venting with each other. They also discussed Cheers actress Kirstie Alley's death and their pets.
