Walter Magilton was always drawing, painting and making things as a child. It was Llew Evans (OCG 1931 and former staff member) who first recognised the artist in him. This was before Carey - Llew was then a young teacher at the small bush school Walter attended in rural Victoria, where he took a particular interest in Walter and his older brother. Llew introduced him to proper artists’ materials: real watercolour paper, purpose-made brushes and tubes of high-quality paint - a far cry from the children’s painting sets he had been using.

Walter and his brother later came to Carey as boarders for two years - all their parents could afford at the time. His parents were dairy farmers, and when Walter returned home after Year 10, he began working on the farm. He loved working with horses and being in nature, but it was the landscapes he painted during those years that brought him the greatest joy.

One day his father said to him, “Walter, your heart doesn’t seem to be in farming. You should think about it. If you decide to train for something, I’ll pay for your training. If it doesn’t work out, you can come back to the land.” Walter would later say it was the best thing his father ever said to him. He knew then that he wanted to paint.

As Carey had no art department at the time, Walter did not return to complete his schooling. Instead, he applied to Teachers’ College at Caulfield Technical School - now known as Monash University (Caulfield) - to undertake an art and craft course. He found it transformative. Walter went on to teach art for 27 years and served as a Senior Master for a decade. He loved his profession and the opportunity it gave him to nurture creativity in others.

Beyond his art, Walter was devoted to his wife and children. He was a member of the MG Car Club, a Fellowship member of the Victorian Honour Society, and a Life Member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists. He was also deeply involved in the Warrandyte Festival and served for many years as a volunteer firefighter. Walter remained closely connected to his Carey friends throughout his life and especially enjoyed the regular Old Carey Golf Lunches.