Growing up in Ireland Judy Toomey was a shy kid. At age four she didn't talk much. She didn't look people in the eye. She didn't play sport, draw, paint. She didn't have a group of friends. 

Now to talk to Judy is gregarious, friendly and passionate. It all started with a whistle made of tin. It's actually called a penny whistle, it is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. She came across it because her seven year old sister had started learning how to play it with a teacher. 

"It really just stirred my curiosity. It spoke to me" she told the Western Plains App "She was getting music tuition, so I got tutored". 

And that was then Judy Toomey found her voice. It wasn’t words. It was rhythm, melody. It was music. 

"I didn't have to be picked for a team. It was a world where I could be myself. I saw a massive rise in my confidence and worth" 

Judy now lives in Cobar. She has given the last 20 years of her life to teaching people, mainly children, musical instruments. 

"I teach piano, ukelele, flute. I have kids come to me when they young and shy and haven't found their voice either. I give an instrument, not long after they can play row, row, row your boat and their faces just light up"

Sarah Theakston enrolled her second oldest son Jeremy in piano lessons about 10 years ago soon after Judy arrived in the Western Plains.   

"I just thought would be so important for Jeremy to learn how to play the piano well. I knew how to play the piano but not at the level where I could teach it. Playing the piano uses sides of the brain and the discipline required to learn is so valuable for them growing up". 

Eventually she enrolled all six of her children in piano lessons with Judy Toomey. 

"She loves music. She is very passionate about teaching children. She makes it a fun environment. She uses games and when they begin to learn their own individual songs, she has a great way of picking music that suits that child's personality," Sarah said.

"So all my kids went to learn piano with Judy all of them loved it. After about five years I've give them all the option of either staying to learn piano or learning another instruments. 

"Of the four who have been doing it that long, two of them have elected to stay with her, and the other two have elected to learn something new. Judy has made my kids musical and I just cant thank her enough," Sarah Theakston told the Western Plains App. 

"We are just so lucky to have Judy in Cobar". 

Picture: Toomey Tunes. 

Judy though says it's not her personally, but music that deserves the credit. 

"Music is just wonderful" she told the Western Plains App "It saves my bacon on a daily basis" 

"Its really is magical, just magical".