How dark humour is helping Leongatha, reluctant mushroom town, get on with business

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The quiet Victorian town was thrust into the international spotlight when three people died from suspected mushroom poisoning. Locals say community spirit is key to getting on with life.

Left to right: Don Patterson, Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson all died after ingesting poisonous mushrooms. Ian Wilkinson remains in a critical condition at a Melbourne hospital.

But other than bemusement at the international spotlight and annoyance at the media frenzy, it’s pretty much business as usual in ever-pragmatic Leongatha. Several residents noted that, while Erin Patterson lives on the town’s outskirts, few know her. Likewise, the deceased were from Korumburra, and not well-known in Leongatha. So most people here don’t feel like they’ve lost one of their own.

While the fatal lunch happened in Leongatha, there is little doubt that the deaths have been felt more strongly here.

 

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