By Paul Dunlop
LIFE on the land can be hard, and Des Walsh exemplifies the tough farming spirit that is needed to survive in a constantly challenging industry.
The Kooweerup octogenarian has shrugged off personal illness and still gets up at the crack of dawn to put in eight or 10 hours a day at the family’s farm and industrial hardware store, known simply as the ‘farmer’s shop’.
Mr Walsh was honoured last week for his outstanding contribution to farming life with the Cardinia branch of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation presenting him with its Agricultural Achievement Award for 2005.
Mr Walsh joins an illustrious list of local people who have helped to keep farming at the forefront of the community.
Speaking at a gala dinner attended by more than 220 people at the Nar Nar Goon Community Centre on Friday night, VFF branch president Ian Anderson paid tribute to Mr Walsh.
“We are all very proud of what he has set out and done and has achieved through persistence and tenacity and with a very good lady (wife Martha) backing him up all the way,” Mr Anderson said.
Born at Rochester, Des was brought up on a farm, one of eight children to Martha and Laurence Walsh.
He and brother Bernie bought land in the area and settled down with their wives.
Des and Martha have five children, Laurence, Dianne, Gerard, Andrew and Mark.
Paying tribute to Mr Walsh at the VFF dinner, Mr Anderson described him as ‘tough as old nails’ with a great love of helping people.
“As they continued to improve their dairy farm, Des became very interested in clearing sales, buying up something, but it was often sold again before he got it home,” Mr Anderson said.
“He began to fill up a shed, with his sale items, until it was full, then he was asked to source new items until it became a business.
“After 25 years or so the business became too big for Des and Martha to handle and the computer era had some part of it so his son Andrew came home to take over, and along with Martha, Dianne, Leona and Nikki who also help out.”
Mr Walsh loved the contact with the people who came in to the shop, mostly farmers themselves, Mr Anderson said.
“He knows what their needs were.”
One of Mr Walsh’s big loves is water divining and his piece of fencing wire was a permanent attachment to the dashboard of the car.
As well as his work, he is involved with the local historical society and enjoys weekly dates with the Kooweerup seniors club.
Many past recipients of the VFF achievement award were at the dinner and were quick to congratulate the newest member of the elite club.
“He is certainly a worthy winner and one we’ll always remember,” Mr Anderson said.
Award announced, page 15.
