I used to get the train to our workplace at Bendigo council with Kevin. We had many interesting conversations and Kevin introduced me the rest of the train "gang". We all had lots of laughs. Kevin was one of those people that could light up a room and I valued immensely his wisdom and advice. Rest in peace Kevin .

My deepest condolences to Lauretta and the Family.
Kevin was a lovely sole and we always enjoyed when he dropped in for a chat.
He had a beautiful heart and the warm positivity that this world needs.
He will be sorely missed and we will be thinking of him.
Matt and I aren't able to be there in person today but we will be there in spirit and via zoom.
May he rest in peace...
With love
Sandy and Matt Ryan

Dear Kevin,

We will greatly miss you, and your laughter and sense of humour.

Thank you for your generosity and creativity assisting us with several garden designs over the years. Every time we walk into our Parkville garden we will think of you.

Fond memories of hanging out, surfing and having fun (B)

Rest in peace,

Cathy Lengyel, Brendan Walsh

Kev was a man to be remembered. A beautiful soul taken too soon. He was always smiling happy to see you.He had a great sense of humour. A very knowledgeable,intelligent human being.His love for Horticulture a credit to who him. He was one in a million one hell of a grouse bloke. RIP Kev loveya Cathy xoxoxo

I was feeling pretty flat at work because the prospects of becoming permanent were slipping away but then Kev came out to see how i was travelling and gave me words of encouragement and we had a bit of a chat. When he left i felt better and after our conversation i thought what a beautiful caring man and now the world is a poorer place without Kevin in it.
Kind Regards Stephen Scicluna

Kev met a few of us long term gardeners-Tim Ashby,Phil Keith,Shane Nash,Cathy Cleve after he left GMCT. We purchased his book Waterwise Gardening and gave us his signature.We all looked upto Kevin Walsh admired him immensely.

My sincere condolences to Kevin's family and friends. He was a kind gentle man and a quiet achiever. He will be missed by all.

Great Boss, Great Man, Great Friend
One great memory that Kevy and I shared was after his time at Fawkner, we were both on a page on Facebook called “what plant is that” and every time I would know what something was and go to reply with the answer, only to find out he had beat me to it. I would then message him and say “just beat me to it mate” but good answer you’re right”, and he would reply “I know I was right LOL!, be faster next time Leroy ”
Will miss your smile Kevy
Leigh.

Further to this Kev was always happy to share his knowledge with those interested. He was passionate in what he did and had an enthusiasm that rubbed off on the people around him. We have a tree planted at Fawkner that Kev had grown by seed from the Castlemaine Botanic gardens. He was unable to join us in person but we did zoom him in. Kev was always happy for a chat and spent well over an hour talking to staff at the planting. It was wonderful that he could participate in this. Kevs tree will be well nurtured and his beaming grin will be remembered by those who knew him as they pass by Kevs tree.
Kev was always a person who liked to reflect on the work of others rather than himself. When we were discussing the plaque for his tree this was part of Kevs response. “My other thought is that while I appreciate being acknowledged, it could be an opportunity to acknowledge “all those who have managed and maintained these beautiful gardens for the peaceful reflection and enjoyment of all visitors” or words like that. “

Kris

It still feels surreal that Kevin is no longer here. I admired Kevin’s calmness, intelligence, sense of humour and obvious love for, and protection of, Lauretta, Natalie and Callan.

As Zilles “in-laws”, Kevin and I had a unique bond that evolved through shared experiences, casual glances and knowing smiles. No words were necessary.

Lauretta, Natalie and Callan, I am so sorry for your loss.
With love. Carla ❤️

Working at GMCT I meet Kevin and I liked him from the start, he was easy to talk too and enjoyed more than just plants. We talked about family, work matters of course and lots of subjects in between, he was passionate about everything. As we travel around this beautiful country I look at the plants and then look again! I see the shapes and the colours, if I don't know I google and think of you. Its been a pleasure to call you my friend, I see you smile everytime I think of you. Thanks Bloke its been an honour.. 
Love to Lauretta, Natalie and Callan.

That most precious thing, that thing most of us don't value enough, is time. Kevin has left us, but for over twenty years, Kevin Walsh the water wise gardener, gave his precious time to the ABC Central Victoria audiences freely and gladly. Yes, Kevin was a media tart. He LOVED taking talkback calls - but alongside that love of radio, was a genuine commitment to share his knowledge and love of gardening.

Kevin was a water wise pioneer. He came to the ABC with a modest "hi guys, I've written this book, can I talk on the radio about it?" and in the mid 1990's many of us wondered why being water wise should be a thing.

But as the Millennial drought started to bite, Kevin's ideas really took root. It IS possible to have a drought tolerant, yet beautiful garden. I had the opportunity to go to some of Kevin's rural town presentations - his accessible manner meant that he would be at the hall meeting way beyond his presentation time, talking to gardeners one-on-one - strangers to Kevin, but the people knew him through his radio work.

How much did Kevin love being on the radio? As his career in local government and beyond grew, he always told us that he'd cleared it with his boss that it was OK to find an hour out of his week to come on the radio to talk gardening. Kevin's ABC audience was always as important to him as his bread and butter job.

Sitting opposite Kevin while a caller was asking why an obscure plant none of us had ever heard of was dying, it was fun to watch the expressions on Kevin's face - from puzzled to just slightly annoyed, to a lightbulb moment of glee when an answer popped into his brain. Or, Kevin had to take the question on notice and take some homework for next week.

Kevin was also an avid ABC supporter, whole heartedly supporting a garden design competition for the weed patch out the front of the studios, and finding time to join us for ABC Central Victoria's 20th birthday.

It was a sad day for Kevin when he finally told us his work commitments meant he was unable to continue on the radio - and it's a sad day today.

We miss the on-air sense of humour, which we knew was held back just a bit, because he was much funnier when the microphone was off.

Thanks Kevin - for your love of radio, and your love of sharing the joy of a patch of healthy plants - water wise plants of course. :-)

Ron and I were so sad to hear of Kevin's passing, a life cut far too short. We will remember him for his friendship, gentle nature and dry wit. We took a remembrance walk through the White Hills Botanical Gardens to reminisce and honour Kevin.
Sincere condolences to Lauretta, Natalie and Callan our hearts go out to you at this very sad time. Love Lynne and Ron

On behalf of everyone at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, our condolences to all the family. Our thoughts are with you.

We remember Kevin as a passionate plant enthusiast, always keen to learn more and to share that knowledge. He will be remembered fondly and long by many.

Very sorry to learn of Kevin’s passing. Deepest sympathy to Lauretta, Natalie and Callan.
My brief chats with Kevin left a lasting impression and have impacted the approach to my new garden at no. 23 Jellicoe St.

The Committee of Management at Buda Historic Home and Garden and the Buda community would like to pass on our greatest condolences to Lauretta, Callan and Natalie and our thanks for sharing Kevin with us at Buda over the many years that the family have been involved.

Kevin played a really important role in the way we manage our historic Buda Garden and was, along with Peter Cuffley, our Expert Gardening Advisor, all completed on a voluntary basis.

It has been a great advantage to Buda to have had Kevin’s generous support for our Garden Curators, bringing his horticulture knowledge and understanding of historic gardens to the Buda Garden with all her foibles.

His direction with the Living Heritage Program was greatly appreciated, linking us with the appropriate personnel to ensure we were following the best path when caring for our special trees.
Well remembered for his diverse horticultural knowledge and practical gardening advice in the broader community, he worked in many areas during his professional life including the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust in Melbourne. This was the subject of a talk he gave at our Josine McEwan annual dinner in 2017.
It was always so good to know that Kevin was there if we needed reassurance or guidance in our administration of Buda’s heritage garden and we will miss his support very much.

We also respect and admire the courage, energy and love Lauretta has shown in making Kevin's last months a special time for their family. This has been inspiration to all of us in the Buda community and we want the family to know that the Buda community will always be here for them.

Kevin, I can't believe you left us so rapidly. A vibrant personality who made a difference in so many fields. A true friend of Buda Historic House and Garden. A generous person who touched so many people. A light has been extinguished in all our lives but you live on in our memories.
Love to Lauretta, Natalie and Callan.

I can’t remember when we first met. It was a long time ago - nearly 30 years ago. It was probably at an HMA function; or maybe at MIFGS. Both of us horticulturists, both of us writers. Both living and gardening in a challenging climate.
Thanks Kevin for all our chats, emails, phonecalls, texts. The encouragement when life got tough. The excitement when we finally managed to work in the same place and then amazingly, the same team. How cool was that?!?? Sorely missed already. Who can I bounce plant ID conundrums off now?! Don’t work too hard in that great big garden in the sky Kev.
Hugs and kisses to you Lauretta, Natalie and Callan. What a great bloke. I’m honoured to have been counted as a friend.

Lovely Kevin, you have left a very big imprint on all our lives and a legacy that will live forever. You were decades ahead of the rest of us with your water wise gardens and gardening, you led the way and everyone else followed. We remember your warmth and generosity, good humour, gentle nature, and are so very full of love and sympathy for your grieving, beautiful family. I am so very sorry Lauretta, wishing there was a way to make it all better for you all❣️thinking of you with much love from Marie

My darling Kevin,

We walked through the best part of our lives together
Becoming like a grafted vine
We bonded and grew together, laughed and cried together
Stood by and were always there for one another
Supported, nurtured and inspired each other

Our lives together have been rich, strong and fruitful
I am so proud of what we achieved
and grateful to have had you as my partner through life

Though you are gone from my side
It gives me great solace and strength to know that what we had
was special and will remain with me forever
I will never be untangled . . .

Yours
Lauretta xoxo