Alby passed away in the presence of his loving wife Gloria and sons Grant and Dean following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Alby was deeply appreciative of the professionalism and compassion extended to him by the nurses and staff of Cootamundra and the North Shore Private and North Shore Public Hospitals.

Special thanks in particular go to Dr Willie Offermeier and Professor Stephen Clarke and his team.

Funeral arrangements will follow with the service and funeral to be held in Cootamundra.

The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.

Alby, a retired political veteran of 25 years, has battled prostate cancer, four tumours in his liver and another at the base of his throat – all since mid-2012.

Rather than remembering him for this however, he can be remembered for all that he gave to politics, locally and at State and Federal level.

Alby leaves a legacy of decades of public service behind him.

Alby represented residents of the Cootamundra district as the State Liberal Member for Burrinjuck from 1988 to 1998, before being elected to represent Hume at the 1998 election.

He was subsequently returned at the 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections.

He also served on the Cootamundra Shire Council prior to his entry into politics from 1983-91.

In his Valedictory speech from Federal politics in June 2013, Alby touched upon the diverse range of challenges he had confronted during his almost 15 years in federal politics – from losing his eye, to floods and drought.

“To say the past 15 years in this place has been a significant experience is an understatement, and I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the constituents of Hume, who at the elections have placed their trust in me to represent them and their concerns in the Australian parliament,” Alby said in that speech. 

“I will be forever grateful for their trust, support and, I must say, at times justifiable tolerance,” he continued. 

It was only fitting in his final speech in the parliament that he also pay tribute to his wife of 51 years at the time Gloria, who has worked just as tirelessly for the electorate.

“The issue of my entering politics 25 years ago was also the beginning of what has commonly been referred to within the communities I have represented over the years as “The Team”, which Glo and I committed to in my first slogan: `You get two for the price of one’,” Alby said.

“Little did I know that she was a bigger draw card for my ongoing success at the ballot box than I was!” 

Alby was always proud and honoured to be the longest serving member for the historical federal seat of Hume since Federation.

Condolences are extended to the Schultz family on the passing of Alby at this difficult time.