Aaron was a gentle, friendly, bright and fun-loving person. He was born in Canberra on 18 March 1978, the second child to Mary and Greg Walsh and brother to Amanda. The pages of the photo album we presented to Aaron on his 21st birthday are full of the wonderful times that we shared.

Aaron grew up in Canberra and spent leisure time with the family at his grandparent's home on the South Coast or on the Walsh family property at Hoskinstown. He attended St Michael's School, Kaleen and became the Class Captain in his final year. He also attended the International School of Kuala Lumpur, Daramalan College, then the final three years of his secondary schooling at St Patricks College Goulburn. He was instrumental in developing the hydroponic farming system at St Pats.

On completion of the HSC, Aaron decided to take a year off before attending university. During that year he attended the Canberra Institute of Technology and graduated with a Diploma in Hospitality Management. Shortly before his death, Aaron had been accepted to study towards a degree in political science

Aaron was a keen sportsman and had a great sense of adventure and a zest for life. A strong swimmer, he gained his open water scuba diving certificate at the age of 12. He enjoyed golf and tennis with friends. He had bungee-jumped and once parachuted from an aeroplane. Aaron loved to ski. He and his Dad had a memorable holiday skiing at Queenstown, New Zealand. Prior to his 21st birthday Aaron travelled to Europe where he spent time skiing in Austria and later travelled to Morocco and joined local nomads on a camel trek into the Western Sahara desert. He lived life to the full.

On his return to Australia Aaron helped manage two Canberra restaurants. He worked long, difficult shifts interspersed with helping us on the property. His pleasant manner and his panache for doing things well was appreciated by many. He was well respected by his colleagues.

Aaron died tragically on 20 January 2001. He was 22. We will never know why Aaron chose the course he took. It emerged that a few weeks before his death Aaron had suffered anxiety and depression. Aaron kept what he was feeling to himself. His death came as a terrible shock to all who knew him. He is sadly missed.

Aaron's funeral service was attended by over 300 of his friends and relatives. It was a celebration of a life into which Aaron managed to pack more than most people twice his age.

Aaron will never be forgotten. He lives on in our hearts.

We have placed this memorial in the hope that it will assist the Foundation to undertake research into mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Mary, Greg & Amanda Walsh

Click here to download a donation form in memory of Aaron Walsh

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