(As delivered by Ray’s daughter, Hayley)
Born at Epworth Hospital Richmond on February 6, 1940, Raymond was the only and eldest son of George and Pauline, and brother to Heather.  

Growing up in Elsternwick, Melbourne, he attended Elsternwick Primary school, and then his secondary schooling was at Caulfield Grammar, where he enjoyed footy days and the camaraderie he had with his peers.  

He would help out after school in his Dad’s shoe repair shop, which was located near the Elsternwick railway station.  He excelled at mathematics and was very good at figures. He had an opportunity to study and work in accounting but chose not to.

Dad commenced his apprenticeship at age 16 on January 9, 1956, at Melford Motors, South Melbourne, attending Richmond Tech for 5 years and completing his apprenticeship on January 17, 1961.  One of his first jobs was to paint the entire workshop.  

He worked on Lindsay Fox’s first truck which, some of you will remember, featured, restored in a TV ad with Lindsay. He also did a wool classing course at RMIT 1954 – 1955.

Athol Guy
Dad knocked around with Athol Guy, of “Seekers” fame, and often talked about him playing his mother’s piano and how he played it so aggressively he thought it might fall apart. He also spent some time around the St. Kilda football club, as Athol played under 19s, and was a quietly passionate Saints supporter.  He and some mates got into some strife at the football club one Saturday night, and luckily Carl Diterich was able to step in and help them.

Most Friday nights would see Dad head from the city up to his Aunty Flo’s farm at Cooma, near Stanhope, to spend time with his cousins, the Millers. Here they enjoyed their time together boating and fishing.  He loved the farm, and I think he would have loved to be a farmer.  

There were also get-togethers with his cousins in Melbourne, which were always a highlight. 

In his younger days there were trips to the trots at the Showgrounds, with his father, which were much treasured.  Race 4 horse 7 was the Saturday bet which Dad’s parents started and he continued. One of us will have to keep the tradition going.

Business
Dad came to Charlton in 1965 where he was in business, where Tormey’s Supermarket is today.  Dad quickly established himself in the local community, and often told the story of having to go out for several days in a row to start Steve Zagame’s tractor for him when Steve first moved to the district.  His knowledge of trucks came in handy over the years, especially keeping the older trucks on the road.  Farmers would go and see Dad about their old trucks right up until his retirement. His knowledge and contacts in the industry will be sadly missed.

Family
He met Mum in 1968 while she was working across the road at the hairdresser’s.

In 1970 he commenced work as the Service Manager and RACV Patrolman at R. J. Lowes, where their current business still exists. He spoke highly of his former colleagues during this time. 

Mum and Dad married in 1970 at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, having the reception at the Cricket Club Hotel, and enjoyed a honeymoon in Mildura at the caravan park. This commenced a life long partnership. To borrow a line from Forest Gump, “they were like peas and carrots, always together”.

They first lived at Barrakee after they were married, moving to Charlton in 1973 and into their current residence at View Street in 1974.  The travel time to work would not have been much different from how I have heard, both of them would drive the big V8 cars on the Borung Road.

The children soon followed with Craig being born in 1971, Hayley in 1972 and Raquel in 1975.

Walsh Motors
In 1991 Walsh Motors was established with Craig, where Dad worked until 2020, when he was forced into retirement, with his health starting to deteriorate and the potential impact of the pandemic looming on his health.  He was very proud of all his children, and of Craig on all he achieved and how he grew the business.

His was a working life unselfishly dedicated to the motor trade industry and the RACV, although I shudder to think the reception some of the stranded drivers who had broken down received on a Saturday night, after a couple of beers when Raquel would drive him to jobs.  Perhaps not the same as the TV ads.   

In his spare time you would find Dad tinkering in his shed, or “Ray’s hardware store” as we all like to refer to it. It was his place to be fixing and building things.

Trains  
Model trains, to which he had a room dedicated, were a passion, as were trains in general, particularly riding on and train spotting. Dad knew his trains.  

Family was obviously his great love; even though work and RACV calls kept him busy, he always made time to follow us kids, in whatever we did.  This flowed down to the grandkids, following them and having a healthy interest in their sporting pursuits, be it footy, cricket, netball or anything else they were involved in.  

He was a great supporter of the Charlton community, sponsoring many community events over a long period, which Craig has continued.  For example, the business has sponsored the Charlton Football Club for over 30 years. 

Dad loved all his family, including his extended family, cousins and second cousins.  He spoke glowingly of them all, and always seemed to know what they were up to.

Proud of us all and supporting us no matter what, he never had a disparaging word even though he must have shaken his head at some our decisions.

Dedication
Basically his life was dedicated to his work and to his family. I recall one of their trips to our house in Castlemaine with the car and trailer full of tools and material for jobs around the house, due to the ineptitude of his son-in-law with tools. Dad would be pleased to know he has improved, slightly.  

They would work all weekend, Mum being his loyal labourer.  Around 4 o’clock on Sunday the car would be packed up – it seemed Mum did most of this – and they would head home for another week of work on Monday.  

The trips were extremely appreciated, and I know they did the same for Chris and Raquel.  I hope we can also do the same for our children, although probably with less skill.

Handyman
Dad could do nearly anything, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, brickwork. I remember one time he was up a very tall ladder, nearly the height of a two-story house, working on a leaking gutter. He would have been in his early sixties, way too old to be climbing a ladder, but always wanted to help. He never saw himself as old, even in the last few months with Mum wanting him to use the walker. 

“No I am not using that I will look old,” he said.  

You will see a photo of Dad taken 9 days before he passed, sitting on the verandah, on his phone to his sister with a crocheted rug on his lap. Even then when I called him “Grandpa,” he didn’t like that.

Travels 
Mum and Dad enjoyed many live shows and musicals.  They enjoyed a few interstate holidays when us kids sent them on trips, including Tassie in 1995 to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Perth in 2000 to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary and in 2010 a train trip on The Ghan for Dad’s 70th birthday. They enjoyed trips away with Raquel and Chris which involved fishing, travelling on trains and holidaying at the beach. Chris and Dad, any chance they got, would go fishing, with little or no success. They also enjoyed a few trips in their caravan. 

Dad’s Day
An important feature of Dad’s day were the daily newspapers, which always consumed his time, especially the comics. He also liked his monthly train magazines, keeping him up to date with all things rail.

Dad liked a beer. I remember Jamey coming for tea at Mum and Dad’s house, and couldn’t believe that after having dessert Dad would have another beer. For Jamey, the sweet food would ruin the taste; not for Dad. On several occasions when talking to Dad at the office just before 5, Adam would have to follow him around to continue the conversation as he found his basket, in which Mum always sent lunch for him and Craig, and turning all the lights off, as it was time to go, Beer o’clock.

Friday Nights
Dad enjoyed and looked forward to his Friday nights at the Charlton Club after his working week, to catch up with friends, have a beer and discuss all matters of interest.  He was always happy for friends to drop in for dinner, a chat and enjoy a beer or a glass of wine (or two)! 

Dad was Dad, what you saw was what you got. One of the most big hearted grumpy buggers you could meet. His best kept secret was he was quite emotional, but don’t tell anyone.

Dad, we will cherish the time and many memories we have all shared with you, that is something that can never be taken away.  

You never complained and fought the battle until the end and to lose you is so hard, but you knew it was time.

A friend who also lost his father to cancer 2 months ago said to me, “They must be after the extra special ones this year,” and Dad, to us, you were very special.

A good, honest and well lived life.

Rest easy Ray, Dad and Pa.

Thanks
We would like to pass on our thanks and appreciation to East Wimmera Health Charlton, the District Nurses Anne and Deb, Dr Webb, St. John of God Hospital and Oncology Staff and Dr Sam Harris, for their care and attention given to Dad over the past 2 years.  

Thank you to Mum for taking care of Dad for the 50-plus years of their marriage, especially the last 2 years since diagnosis, and the last months when his health deteriorated. We know Dad really appreciated it and hated being helpless.