Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh (1927-2018) was a potato farmer and fiddler who lived his life on Railway Farm, Trentham, Victoria. Tom's musical genes came from an Irish ancestry that emigrated to Australia in the 1850s and 1860s. They took up land in the on the rich red soils in the hills to the north and west of Melbourne. Tom's musical inspiration came primarily from his mother. He learned fiddle from the local nuns and his interest in music was swept along by family and local musicians who took an interest in him, developing his skill and ability through playing at house concerts and the like. This interest turned into bands that played for community balls and dances for socials, birthday parties and kitchen teas. Tom's musical influences led him towards tunes from the UK and Europe; jigs, reels and set tunes from Ireland and Scotland and England. He did not read music and learned tunes by ear, from the radio and from those around him. For the last several decades of his life Tom convened and led sessions and music nights in Trentham's pubs. These nights were memorable for the spirit of welcome, inclusion and encouragement. These sessions were always well attended.
