Walker, however, gave up taking an active part in politics, though he kept his interest in them and published some pamphlets on the land question.

He took a personal interest in his benefactions, and at one period employed an agent, searching out and relieving cases of distress and yet most of his benevolent activity was impersonal and detached.

[1] In 1876, he funded a parcel of land in Ashfield to provide a new residence for the Sydney Foundling Hospital[4] l, (Now The Infants' Home Child and Family Services).

Walker died in 1886 in Concord, New South Wales, and was buried in the cemetery at St John's Ashfield,[5] He left a large fortune, and was survived by his daughter Eadith.

After the death of Dame Eadith Walker 51 years later, two-thirds of the income from £300,000 of his estate was set aside for the upkeep of this hospital.

Another £100,000 was used to found the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital, which was established in the family home, the Victorian Italianate mansion Yaralla, on the banks of the Parramatta River.

The Thomas Walker Hospital is now known as Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Unit and specialises in the treatment of young people with problems.