March 9th, 2026Jack: Baking, brass bands and bullboars

Jack Walker’ parents Emmy and Tom ran the Wombat Flat Bakery in Daylesford – and brought in a new machine which sliced bread.
Their competitors, a main street bakery, said it would never catch on. But as we know, the saying came along – it’s the best thing since sliced bread – proving them wrong!
When Jack was finished with school he became a local bank clerk, and then worked in banking in Melbourne for a while but he didn’t like the lack of real contact with people.
For a while he worked in the family bakery, then for a local drapery and the Tatts shop, which he owned. He was also a school bus driver, something he really enjoyed.
Jack has since had a distinguished career in the Daylesford CFA and was president of the Daylesford Brass Band where he played the flugelhorn.
His children have remained involved in the band and other community organisations which he feels proud of. He is fond of bullboar sausages and enjoys talking about the mining history of Daylesford.
Peace and quiet helps him to relax, and Jack and his wife Michelle, featured in both photos, have enjoyed many trips to Queensland and beyond in their caravan. Port Douglas was a favourite trip.
Jack is proud of his bakery work, feeding the community, and also his involvement with the Daylesford Brass Band, as a player and president, and loves that his children were also involved.
Jack is confident that Hepburn House is the best place to be for him and Michelle. Their goals are to maintain mobility and get more involved in the bus trips on offer.
Hepburn House is a Commonwealth Government-funded aged care facility focused on providing personalised and advanced services to accommodate the needs of all residents as they experience change over time.
Hepburn House offers nutritious freshly cooked meals, weekday visits from a Springs Medical GP, 24-hour nursing and staff assistance, an onsite physiotherapist and an eventful lifestyle program – all in a well-kept, welcoming environment surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. Hepburn House is proud to be Rainbow Tick accredited.
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford.
Phone 5348 8100 or email reception@hepburnhouse.com.au