A 53-year-old mother and personal trainer, Rachael Dixon, tragically died after consuming suspected poisonous mushrooms at a wellness retreat in regional Victoria, Australia. Ms. Dixon and two others ingested the mushrooms at the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes near Ballarat. Emergency services were called to the retreat at midnight, with Ms. Dixon passing away early the next morning and the other two individuals being taken to the hospital for treatment. The incident is currently under investigation by the police, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The Soul Barn, known for promoting alternative and holistic health services, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. Ms. Dixon’s son, Matthew, paid tribute to his mother on social media, expressing his deep sorrow and gratitude for her loving care and support. The centre abruptly cancelled a scheduled sound healing workshop on the following afternoon, with plans to refund customers. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Ms. Dixon was a resident of Ringwood North in Melbourne’s east.
Soul Barn offers a variety of services, including sound healing, ceremonies, venue hire, and homestays. Paramedics were called to the property on Saturday and took two individuals to Ballarat Base Hospital for treatment. A ‘Slow Beauty Medicine’ event was advertised for the weekend, featuring ritual skincare and reiki to rejuvenate both the body and spirit. The centre’s newsletter describes the event as a unique facial experience using infused herbal oils and handcrafted skincare from around the world, combined with Reiki for soul enrichment.
The tragic death of Ms. Dixon follows a warning from Victorian authorities about the presence of poisonous mushrooms in the state. Acting Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong advised against picking and consuming wild mushrooms unless one is an expert, as there is no home test available to distinguish safe mushrooms from toxic ones. The incident in Clunes comes in the wake of another tragedy in the area, where former resident Hannah McGuire was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner near Ballarat. Crime Stoppers is accessible for anyone with information on the incident in Scarsdale, where Ms. McGuire’s remains were found in a burnt-out car.
The community of Clunes has been deeply affected by these recent events, with two tragedies impacting the town in a short period of time. The sudden death of Rachael Dixon at the wellness retreat has shocked many, raising awareness about the potential dangers of consuming wild mushrooms. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, while friends and family of Ms. Dixon mourn her loss. The Soul Barn, known for its alternative health services, remains silent on the matter as they cancel events and issue refunds to customers. The local community remains on edge following the tragic events and is encouraged to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigations.
