Alby Schultz's funeral held in Cootamundra

Mr Schultz, a former Cootamundra shire councillor, Liberal state MP and member for the federal seat of Hume, passed away at home on July 14 following a two-year battle with cancer.

Known as an outspoken local member and passionate representative for his constituents, Mr Schultz dedicated 32 years of his life to public service after first being elected to Cootamundra Shire Council in 1983.

4.45pm: More from Mr Abbott’s address.

"He would've thought ‘at last’ my electorate is getting the attention,’” Mr Abbot said to laughter from mourners.

"Alby was a working class liberal and this was the secret of his success, he was a .... who didn't like the union, he was a worker who loved to see people get a ahead by having a go, and by being a working class liberal he not only blazed a trail but taught an important lesson: our party only succeeds if we are taught by people from all walks of life. 

"Gone, not forgotten, farewell Alby – we are all the poorer for your passing but we are undoubtedly richer for your living.”

4.25pm: Mr Abbott also reflected on the Alby Schultz’s ability to enjoy the success of others.

“Alby didnt have a jealous bone in his body,” Mr Abbott said.

“Because he was secure in himself, he could revel in the success of others. It’s a rare politician that can revel in the success of others.”

4.15pm: Angus Taylor, Alby Schultz’s successor in the Hume electorate, said Alby’s legacy has not been lost on him.

“I cannot go into a village or town in this electorate without hearing a story about Alby and what he did for someone or a community group, and that was before we lost him,” he said.

3.50pm: Prime Minister Tony Abbott delivered a five-minute reflection on the life of Alby Schultz.

Among many anecdotes and memories, Mr Abbott paid tribute to Alby’s love for the electorate, his family and in particular his wife Gloria.

“Alby was .. a family man. With Alby, it was a consuming passion,” Mr Abbott said.

“A passion for Gloria, or Glo, who was in every sense his partner. Not just a partner in the home, not just a partner in the family, (but) a partner in every aspect in life, including the electorate.

“As he famously told everyone he met, ‘when you got me, there were two … you got Gloria.

“Their sons, Grant and Dean … were not just sons, but they were brothers, as he said.”

You can listen to Mr  Abbott’s reflection on Alby Schultz here.

2.55pm: Alby Schultz’s commitment to the people of the Hume electorate saw him run for the seat five times.

2.35pm: In his maiden speed in federal parliament, made on November 26, 1998, Alby Schultz made no bones about what he was there to do.

“I am simply saying that I do not subscribe to political correctness. I intend to defend the mainstream family values which have been pushed aside for political expediency; and I will never compromise my principles, honesty and integrity, no matter the cost,” he said.

“I seek no favours and I ask only that my rural constituency be given a `fair go'. Should there be any occasions during my time in this place when my constituents are penalised because of any action undertaken by me on their behalf, then I will vigorously respond on their behalf accordingly.”

You can read the full transcript here.

2.15pm: Alby Schultz’s son Grant is the first person listed to speak on the man his father was, and what shaped him.

Grant Schultz spoke to the Goulburn Post last week, and struggled to name one particular achievement of which his father was most proud.

“There were many,” he said.

“But he took just as much pleasure in helping someone with what they considered a minor problem as with the multimillion dollar grants. A thank you email or note would make his day.”

Plaudits from all sides of politics have poured in since Mr Schultz’s passing.

But to his son he was simply a good mate who loved his wife, Gloria and family deeply.

He fondly recalled that, despite not being a “good fisherman,” frustratingly his father could hook a cracker of a catch at the end of a day’s outing.

Luck was not a feature of his early life but it eventually came his way.

Born in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington to a working class family, he coped with alcohol fuelled violence by his war veteran father, who suffered post traumatic stress.

He ran away from home at age 14 to Moama, where a man, Jimmy Betts, found him sleeping underneath an iron bridge.

He would become an influential figure in young Alby’s life, giving him a home and a job at the local abattoir.

Read more about Alby’s life here. 

1.55pm: 

1.50pm: Spotted arriving at Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Malcolm Turnbull and Bronwyn Bishop.

1.45pm: Prime Minister Tony Abbott, speaker Bronwyn Bishop, assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Member for Hume Angus Taylor will all deliver reflections on Alby Schultz during the service this afternoon.

1.35pm: Mourners are arriving at Sacred Heart Catholic Church ahead of the 2pm funeral.

1.25pm: Cootamundra Shire Council’s longest serving councillor, Paul Braybrooks, paid tribute to Alby Schultz.

"I was elected to Cootamundra Shire Council just after Alby Schultz became our State Member of Parliament,” he said.

“Alby had previously been a member of Cootamundra Shire Council where he became well known for bringing forthright opinions and firm convictions for the benefit of his community.

“Alby will be missed as a local identity, a family man, a Shire Councillor and a Member of two Parliaments who was never shy to take up the fight for his constituents while also remaining a good and dedicated citizen of Cootamundra."

You can read more here.

12.50pm: When Alby Schultz retired in 2013, he delivered an emotional valedictory speech in parliament.

“Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. This valedictory speech that I am going to read to you tonight is the second valedictory speech I have written over the past six or eight weeks. I wrote one, and my wife read it and she said to me, 'You're not seriously going to bring that into the chamber, are you?' She said, 'You really do have to write something a little bit softer than that, love.' So I have succumbed to that wise counsel from my wife, as I have done for many of the 51 years that we have been married, and I have written something a little bit different to what I would normally put pen to.

“I am very pleased to see my family, my staff and my friends in the gallery in front of me, because they were originally up here, and they should know me well enough to know that I do not really like turning to the left to the extent that I would have had to tonight! I rise tonight in this House to bid my final farewell to colleagues, staff and friends. To say the past 15 years in this place has been a magnificent experience is an understatement, and I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the constituents of Hume, who at five elections have placed their trust in me to represent them and their concerns in the Australian parliament. I will be forever grateful to them for their trust, support and, I must say, at times justifiable tolerance.

“I would not be here, of course, without the wisdom and encouragement of the Hon. Wal Fife, a former distinguished rural Liberal member of his place, and his delightful wife, Marcia, who at the suggestion of my wonderful wife, Glo, were instrumental in convincing me to enter politics 25 years ago.

“I entered politics as a candidate for the Liberal Party in the state seat of Burrinjuck, which was held by father and son Terry and Billy Sheahan for 47 years—two wonderful individuals, two very good local members. I contested that seat in 1988 in a three-cornered contest with the National Party. I have to say to you that Terry Sheahan knew my family background. He knew that my grandfather was a great friend of Prime Minister Chifley. He came to me and said, 'Alby, you are a conservative? Why are you running as a Liberal candidate?' I said, 'Terry, with due respect, I am also a worker, and I wanted to work and I kept getting sent home on strikes, so that turned me off Labor politics forever.'”

You can read the full version here.

12.30pm:  A lifelong commitment to community service earned Alby Schultz the respect of Australians from all walks of life, the Goulburn Post has reported.

Among them – Gina Rinehart, Angus Taylor, Wal Fife, Katrina Hodgkinson and Ursula Stephenson.

Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle, a close friend, former staff member and protégé to Alby, said he wouldn’t be in his current position if it hadn’t been for Alby’s friendship, inspiration and counsel.

12.15pm: Around 1600 people are expected to turn out for Mr Schultz’s funeral today, among them some of the country’s leading political heavyweights, past and present.

Unconfirmed reports have placed prime minister Tony Abbott as a guest, amid speculation he will also be delivering a eulogy.

The Young Witness has more.

12pm: Cootamundra police are expecting heavy delays in the town centre today.

They have advised that following the 2pm service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the preocession will travel down Thompson Street, turn right into Wallendoon Street and then right into Parker Street.

The procession will travel down Parker Street and out of town to the cemetery. 

Shaped by a hard upbringing and fighting for his education, the late Alby Schultz appreciated the small things in life.

That’s why his son, Grant struggled this week to name one particular achievement of which his father was most proud.

“There were many,” he said.

“But he took just as much pleasure in helping someone with what they considered a minor problem as with the multimillion dollar grants. A thank you email or note would make his day.”

Tributes have generously flowed for Mr Schultz, the Member for Hume from 1998 to 2013, who passed away at Cootamundra Hospital last week. READ MORE

Fairfax Media has compiled a picture gallery of Alby’s time in politics. See the full compilation here.