IN MEMORIUM
MICHAEL JOSEPH WALSH
9 JAN 1961 - 20 NOV 2005
Michael Walsh passed away peacefully at hospital, November 20th, 2005 after a battle with multiple myeloma, age 44 years.
Survived by: wife Helen and three children Timothy 12 years, Andrew 10 years and Henry 7 years.
I have known Michael Walsh since his appointment as registrar to the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board in 1989. He was appointed to that position after the NSW Ombudsman had recommended that there be an upgrading in the experience and qualifications of the person appointed to the Board.
Michael Walsh was born in Casino, NSW on the 9th of January 1961. He moved to Sydney after finishing the HSC where he joined the Department of Education at TAFE in 1981. He went to the Department of Health in 1986 as a registration clerk (Deputy Registrar/Assistant Secretary) for the Medical Board. His appointment to the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board followed the formation of the NSW Health Administration Corporation.
Michael Walsh’s ability was acknowledged by the NSW Department of Health, appointing him registrar of three health professional registration boards at the one time. The only registrar to be given such distinction. Those boards being: the Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board, the Optometrists Board and the Podiatrists Board.
In 2001, following the separation of the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Act into two Acts, he was appointed as registrar of the NSW Osteopaths Registration Board. He also at one time served as registrar of the Dental Technicians Registration Board.
Michael Walsh had skills and experience that equipped him to prepare policy proposals that were appreciated by the Boards in their procedural considerations.
He had difficulty in tolerating foolish statements. His deciding factor was always the decision of the Board, although unbeknown to many he had a soft spot for the underdog.
Michael served as secretary of the Joint Education Committee of Participating Registration Boards (JEC), which included representation from the Queensland Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board, the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board, the Victoria Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board, the Australian Capital Territories Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board and the New Zealand Chiropractors Registration Board. He contributed many hours of work (outside his usual duties) to the JEC and the chiropractic education accreditation process.
Michael Walsh was appointed to accompany me (President of the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board) to five Annual Conferences of the USA Federation of Licensing Board (FCLB). He was highly regarded at those conferences and many of the FCLB members and prominent leaders of the profession in the USA acknowledged his administrative ability. He developed strong, lasting friendships with several of the FCLB members and staff.
Michael was a hard worker, honest and dedicated to appropriate and correct administrative procedures.
He was a good mate to friends of the Clovelly Nippers, Clovelly RSL Snooker Club and St. Charles School Rugby League Club. He was also a strong supporter of the North Sydney Rugby League Club and was terribly disappointed at their drop out of the senior competition.
Those that knew Michael Walsh under his official veneer appreciated his humanistic side and the desire to socialise with colleagues and friends. He had a strong sense of humour and could laugh at himself. All of the members of the JEC were given nicknames and Michaels was Mongrel, which he accepted in good stead.
He dearly loved his family and was always ready to talk about his three boys and show the photos around. They can be proud of Michael Walsh the man and how he diligently carried out duties with the NSW Department of Health. He will be sorely missed by his many close friends.
Requiescat in Pace
Edwin P. Devereaux AM, DC, DO, FICC.
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