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Memories of Wally

15/8/2017

10 Comments

 
Picture
Memories of a proud and generous gardener abound in Ant Gent’s garden.

By Ant Gent
 
I RECENTLY discovered the sad news that one of our quirky, local icons had passed ... Wally, the garden guru.

Many locals would know Wally from his plant stall at the Wonthaggi Rotary market and also at times at the Grantville market.  Rain hail or shine, he would pack his beat-up van full of plants, fruit trees, cottage garden favourites and some native varieties – as well as his trusty dog Curly. This frail-looking, 90-ish-year-old man was old-school: hardy, resilient, hard-working, sharp-minded, stubborn and forever generous when it came to his gardening knowledge and goods.

I knew Wally superficially for three years, often visiting him for gardening advice and to buy fruit trees. He would offer me some small struggling plants in exchange for treating Curly's infected ears.
 
Wally never asked for help nor was he a receiver of charity. He appeared to believe this was a weakness and could threaten his independence as a senior. Being confined to serviced accommodation was not for Wally. He seemed intent on living the last years of his life the way he wanted, without confinement or restrictions. This is despite being hard of hearing, and with poor eyesight.
 
I believe Wally passed doing the things he loved most, pottering in his garden, his hands in the dirt among the wild jungle rumble of a garden. Ideally, every senior has earned this right to live their final days as they please.

Did you ever cross paths with Wally at the markets?  Did you ever buy a plant or chat to him about gardening?  You may have a little bit of Wally living in your garden. I do, beautiful fruit trees that are beginning to thrive, a correa plant that he stumbled across in his rambling garden and which he gave to me as a gesture of thanks, as well as the old rustic ladder that has pride of place in my garden ... all memories of Wally.
10 Comments
Roger Clark link
18/8/2017 01:53:58 pm

Lovely tribute Antoinetta, I will certainly miss him, and his old dog at the markets.
Thank you for thinking enough of him to pen this tribute.

Reply
Joy Button
18/8/2017 03:52:26 pm

Some lovely words about Wally and would chat to him over the years we have been here. He told Richard that he had worked on the trains in the UK. My funniest memory is going to his house to buy plants and after knocking on the door went to the back and there was Wally gardening round the back, absolutely starkers. Richard told me when it was okay to come round. He was a lovely gentle man with some stories and very sad to hear of his passing.

Reply
bob middleton
18/8/2017 05:26:35 pm

I missed Wally in my time and your touching story Ant Gent has made me realise what a loss that is for me.So many good qualities that we can admire and hopefully learn from.Thank you for telling his story..

Reply
Liz Glynn
18/8/2017 05:29:05 pm

Some years ago I bought a lime tree for a wet spot in the garden and he gave me directions on how to plant it: fabulous tree now. I stopped by his stall last year and thanked him for his very sage advice. Sorry to hear of his passing. Not many characters around these days.

Reply
Sue Packham
21/8/2017 11:09:37 am

I'm glad you've introduced me to Wally, Ant. He epitomises qualities i admire and which counteract the negative stories we hear so often. Seems he was a man full of determination, generosity and so knowledgable about those indispensable things - plants.

Reply
David Norton
24/8/2017 09:14:30 am

Loved reading your tribute to Wally. Sometimes we lose the characters of our life without knowing when or how. Community is a lot of things and Wally excuded the sense of community I love. His passion for plants, making a few bob on the side, his cheeky smirk when pressed for a discount, his vocal outbursts when challenged over the issues of the day. RIP Wally

Reply
Dan
24/8/2017 11:49:16 am

many good memories of you at Grantville market. Choco the dog. RIP Wally.

Reply
Kirsty
21/9/2017 01:41:15 pm

Wally was my grand dad and it is wonderful to read these stories about him so much not known to me! I remember as a kid pa used to sit at his table with us with his hard boiled lollies and biscuits! We used to run around in his gardens while he watered them in his little shorts he was so dedicated and such a kind man always having lollies for my kids as we spoke at the market we all miss him dearly but he will be forever in our hearts! Thank you everyone and your kind words about pa has made my day!

Reply
Roger link
21/9/2017 02:12:20 pm

Kirsty, your grand dad's story is featured in the current edition of The Waterline News.
Out Now and online at www.waterlinenews.com.au

Reply
Kirsty
21/9/2017 03:04:55 pm

Thank you Roger. I just read it, It is so overwealming and it touches my heart that my pa reached out and helped so many people. Thank you again everyone for your kind words and loving hearts.

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