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- BDM - Vic - birth 16042/28 BDM - Vic - death 25037/2001
Bus driver Sergeant of Police 11429/371 Sgt Military Police 3/106971 Council Ranger
Warrandyte Diary - February 2002, Obituary
One of our town's special sons By AUDREY DRECHSLER
MANY older Warrandyte residents will remember, with affection, Wally Walsh, who died last October. He was a charismatic man and a superb communicator.
Described by his brother-in-law Peter Townsend, who followed him in a police career, as "a unique character", Wally was accorded a police funeral in Bright, where he lived and served for many years.
Sixteen uniformed police and more than twice that number of returned and serving members formed a guard of honour for their respected comrade.
Mourners at the burial service in the isolated and beautiful Buckland cemetery included his cousins Una von der Lipppe (formerly Belzer) and Judy Smith (formerly Nankivell).
In 1928, when Jim and Ida Walsh took over the bakery, Walter James Walsh came as a baby to Warrandyte.
At the annual baby show held in Warrandyte by the Women's Hospital auxiliary on December 29, 1931, Wally was awarded the second prize. Friends Jack Stringer and Alan Pocock had little sisters so Wally wanted one too. Sister Audrey was his fifth birthday present. She idolised her big brother.
In his eulogy in Christ Church, Bright, Keith Clark spoke of being in the same grade as this popular lad throughout their years at State School No. 12, Warrandyte. Wally, a fine swimmer, helped defeat Ringwood in the annual schools' carnival. Following primary education, Wally spent two years at East Kew Central School, then went on to Box Hill Boys High School.
In 1944 Jim Walsh, who had been baking and delivering the bread, was rushed to hospital with a duodenal ulcer which haemorrhaged. As an emergency wartime measure, Walter was issued with a driving licence at the age of 16.
During a drought this adventuresome young man drove the 1932 A model Ford ute through the Yarra River below the swimming pool. He went through three gear boxes in a year in the new 1946 Chevrolet delivery van!
Wally, accompanied by Graeme Thornton and Sister Audrey was exploring the mineshafts in Whipstick Gully when, unbeknown to them, darkness fell. Luckily for the trio they returned home as the fire siren sounded to organise a search party.
The fearless Wally led many of his mates on hiking and canoeing adventures in the Yarra Valley. He later competed in motorcycle and car rallies.
Jim and Ida were disappointed when their only son, who was now a proficient baker, decided to become a policeman. At the time of his graduation in 1952 it was recorded that he was "a well conducted, intelligent, reliable and courteous young man". When Wally's close friend Brian Coates (recently retired superintendent of the Eastern police district) continued the eulogy, many of those present learned for the first time that Wally had been commended for the arrest of armed and dangerous offenders on five separate occasions.
He served in mobile traffic, CIB, crime cars and wireless patrol before his appointment in 1979 as sergeant in charge of the Bright police station. This included responsibility for the alpine areas.
In 1952 Wally married Patricia Townsend, daughter of John and Dorothy Townsend of Kangaroo Ground Road. Pat had attended Koornong School in Warrandyte. Their elder son Terence now lives in Blackburn. Tony, their younger son, died in a tragic accident the day his parents moved into their new home. Tony's teenage children, Shane and Peter, live in Bright. These two delightful grandchildren brought Wally and Pat great joy. They were at his bedside the night he died.
An immensely popular and committed community stalwart, Wally Walsh was a valued and active member of the Warrandyte CFA brigade. With local chemist Ken Gedge he helped found the first scout group in Warrandyte and was present at their first meeting, held beneath a pine tree behind the old cypress in Yarra Street.
The initial planning meeting of the group that was to become the Warrandyte Environment League was held at the bakery residence and Wally became a founding member. He stood for the Warrandyte Ward of the Doncaster and Templestowe council as an endorsed league candidate in 1972 and was almost elected, defeated by a mere 50 votes.
Researching their genealogies, Wally and Pat drove around Ireland, England and Scotland. Terry Walsh helped them with Internet contacts. Over the past 14 years, Pat's mobility has been progressively restricted by rheumatoid arthritis. Wally has cared for her throughout this time with great devotion.
Since Wally's death, Pat has moved to a house in Bright. When Terry retires from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment he intends living in the Buckland family home.
Three years ago Wally had a brain tumour removed in the Austin Hospital. Radiotherapy and another massive operation followed. After a series of strokes my beloved brother was admitted to the hospital in Bright in late July 2001, where he died peacefully on October 27.
The family sincerely thanks relatives and friends for sympathy and support.
- MAID Wally
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1928 - 2001 (73 years)