The Heartbeat Ballarat Branch held The 3rd Annual Kevin Tolhurst Memorial Walk on Tuesday October 6th with retiring Heartbeat Victoria Board member Vivien Williamson present.
Held annually in the first week of October, Heartbeat Ballarat’s memorial walk commemorates and remembers all members who have passed away. Members come together to remember those who have died, those we cared about, and those we directly supported.
The walk is named after former Heartbeat Ballarat member and cardiac patient Kevin Tolhurst AM.
Dr Tolhurst was a former Creswick resident, Heartbeat volunteer, passionate heart health walker, and cardiac patient advocator. Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst AM passed away suddenly in October 2023 from cardiac illness.
Member Chris Mair said about Kevin: “Having only been with Heartbeat a couple of years, my memories of Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM are from his work as Australia’s foremost bushfire scientist- he was an extremely knowledgeable and inspiring man”.
Memorial walk organiser Barry Nixon said: “Kevin was brilliant at educating and sharing his realisations. My clearest memories are of Kevin the cardiac patient sharing his lived experiences with new cardiac patients at cardiac rehabilitation. Kevin encouraging best use of the time available during Cardiologist and GP appointments. A natural educator, all knowledge shared willingly without any hint of superiority or elitism. Kevin was inclusive, welcoming and non-judgemental. A great man who died way too young. Leaving behind a beautiful family including very young grandchildren and a brother living with disability who was dependant”.
Heartbeat Ballarat has a proud forty-year history of supporting Ballarat cardiac patients.
The memorial service honoured all members who have passed – a long list over 40 years.
During 2026, Heartbeat Ballarat lost an increased number of valued members to cardiac and other illnesses. Our departed Heartbeat members weren’t just some people we walked with—many were part of the fabric of Heartbeat Ballarat and part of our daily lives.
We particularly remember those that offered help before being asked, or who checked on members having tough days. Many went beyond what was expected. We have lost real friends, many sadly missed.
Deputy President Helen Sara spoke of the impact all these passings, and especially the passing of Christine V, wife of popular Heartbeat President Mark Vorstenbosch had on the combined membership.
This memorial tribute was brief, but memories are long held and treasured. We miss them not just as members and walkers, but as friends.