For a town once better known for coal mining in Australia, Morwell has found itself at the centre of something entirely different. Over the past ten weeks, this quiet corner of regional Victoria has been transformed into a media hotspot, its cafes buzzing with reporters, lawyers and curious visitors.
All thanks to a murder trial, famously known as the 'mushroom trial', which has captivated the nation and sparked interest beyond Australia.
At the heart of this trial is Erin Patterson, the woman accused of serving a deadly mushroom lunch that killed three and left a fourth fighting for life. But beyond the courtroom walls, Morwell has been riding a wave of economic and cultural attention, turning a tragic case into a moment of unexpected spotlight.
Cafés, Cameras and Courtrooms
Morwell's Latrobe Valley Law Courts, which also hosts the Supreme Court of Victoria's Court of Appeal for regional sittings, has drawn daily crowds of journalists, legal teams, and onlookers since the trial began in April.
In courtroom four, Erin Patterson faces charges of murdering her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and family friend Heather Wilkinson. She also stands accused of attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining the poisoning was accidental.
Outside the court, faces from inside the courtroom can be seen lining up for coffee at nearby cafés. The Daily Café, just minutes from the court precinct, has been a hive of activity.
'We've got the media, journalists, the same people every day,' café owner Islynde Bourke told ABC News. 'The [Patterson family] I think have been coming in, and [we've had] lots of faces here visiting, which is interesting.'
Morwell Witnessing A Temporary Boom
Some businesses are experiencing what feels like a once-in-a-generation surge. Michael and Con Mavrofridis, who run Mavro's Deli on Church Street, said the trial brought in more customers than they'd seen even before the pandemic.
'After a couple of weeks ... someone came and had one [panini] and spread the word,' Michael said. 'Now we've had regular journalists come. It's definitely a hot topic for everyone.'
For decades, Morwell powered Victoria with its coal-fired plants, but the town has been grappling with the slow, painful decline of its key industries. Once a thriving place, the town has witnessed the closure of a key power station and the failure of various development projects. And above all, unemployment remains a big concern in the area.
Amid this backdrop, the mushroom trial has brought an unexpected burst of attention and money to a town long accustomed to being overlooked. Nearby, a café even chalked up 'mushroom soup' on its specials board, a quiet nod to the trial that's hard to ignore in a town where the court case has become part of daily life.
Morwell's Brush with 'Swiftonomics'
According to Professor Lisa Waller of RMIT, who studies media coverage of regional crime, the location of a case like this plays a key role in public fascination. 'It's human nature and the power of narrative,' she told ABC News. 'In regional areas, the setting becomes part of the story in a way it wouldn't in a big city.'
The level of national and international attention has drawn comparisons to major cultural events, like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Dr Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance at RMIT, described it as the city's version of 'Swiftonomics'.
'In some ways, Morwell is experiencing its own version of the 'Swiftonomics' phenomenon, which we saw during Taylor Swift's Eras tour in Australia. Both events create sudden economic surges from visitors needing accommodation, meals and other amenities,' she said.
'The economic benefits are immediate, but they come with hidden costs: increased traffic, strained facilities, and disruption to normal business patterns,' she added.
Meanwhile, as far as the trial is concerned, reports suggest that after 40 days of evidence, courtroom instructions and intense media coverage, the jury has begun deliberating behind closed doors. The verdict is due, and if convicted, Patterson will face life in prison.
For now, the town of Morwell remains in limbo, with hope in heart and waiting for what comes next.
