By Callum Ludwig
On 26 January 2022, much-loved Warburton resident, grandfather and former Yarra Ranges Council worker Marty Sheahan was tragically murdered.
Marty had just returned home from one of his regular walks when he was fatally shot at his home just after 8.30pm. In his memory, Marty’s daughter Monique Allen arranged a ‘Walk for Marty’ this year, following his favourite route.
Ms Allen said Marty was just the most beautiful person she’d ever met.
“I just really wanted to do the walk so even though it’s going to be such a painful day, I wanted it to be some sort of happiness to know that he used to walk every chance he got and we are doing this to remember him,” she said.
“Keeping little parts of his memory alive is the only way our family has gotten through this, to be honest.”
Marty used to love to walk from his home on Clarke Avenue to the steep ascent of the hill on Martyr Road, passing through town and over the river.
Ms Allen said she would like to continue to host the walk every year.
“I’ll just think about him every day and he lives on in so many people. The support has been amazing, from the GoFundMe page right out to ongoing support from people still reaching out.”
A sizeable crowd of friends and family of Marty and his family gathered outside his home, sharing anecdotes and stories and remembering Marty for the community man he was.
He often complained about needing to fix the old Sanitarium building, and he had every right to as a much-valued member of the Council’s Infrastructure Services department for six years.
Neighbours described Marty as ‘the nicest man on the street.’
Marty’s childhood sweetheart Mandy Brown thanked everyone from the bottom of her heart who came together to honour Marty.
“Unfortunately I can’t come today and I can’t come back to Warburton as it’s way too confronting for me but we can’t forget what a beautiful person Martin is and always will be,” she said.
“I would like to thank Monique for organising such a beautiful tribute to Martin’s legacy. I will be with [sons] Alexander, Heath and Ben today, hopefully in years to come the heartache will ease and I will be able to be with you all again.”
