Cowra "forever grateful" to Alby Schultz

Former Federal Member for Hume Alby Schultz, the politican who took the up campaign for the Cowra Chemotherapy Unit to have two fulltime nurses, has lost his own battle to the disease, dying on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by wife Gloria and sons Grant and Dean.

The 76-year-old battled prostate cancer, four tumours in his liver and another at the base of his throat.

A political veteran of 25 years, Mr Schultz was instrumental in campaigning for a second nurse for the Cowra Chemotherapy Unit.

Even in the midst of his own treatment, Mr Schultz took great delight in visiting the unit last year when it was announced a second nurse had been employed and the campaign a success - especially to see that the microwave oven he had personally donated was used every day.

Barb Newham, president of the Cowra and District Cancer Action Group, has expressed her grief and gratitude for Mr Schultz, remembering him as a tireless advocate for their cause.

"The members of the Cowra and District Cancer Action Group wish to extend their sincerest sympathy to Gloria and all her family on the passing of Alby," she said.

"We are forever grateful to Alby for the role he played and the support he gave to us to secure a second oncology nurse for the chemotherapy unit on the second floor of Cowra Health Service.

"He never failed to respond to a call for help from our group. When he retired he made doubly sure his successor, Angus Taylor was fully conversant of all aspects of our campaign.

"Gloria, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

"Alby will forever remain a very special memory in all our hearts."

Current Member for Hume Angus Taylor has paid tribute to Mr Schultz and his determination to continue helping others right until the end.

"As the longest serving member of the Federal electorate of Hume, Alby Schultz will be remembered for his extraordinary service to the people of our region, his towering strength of character and his great, great love of his family and his country.

"When I spoke to Alby a few weeks ago, he was, as always, talking about helping people, particularly those without a voice. This time it was how we could help men with prostate cancer in the Riverina area. He was trying to solve problems right to the end. Despite his sickness, he would only reluctantly talk about himself.

"He gained energy from helping others, that enormous energy for which he is so well known. As I have moved around the electorate, I hear from so many people about the help he gave them.

"I first met Alby in Parliament House in Canberra, with NSW Senator Bill Heffernan. He was a straight shooter. You knew exactly where you stood with him and I guess, in many ways, he reflected the values and characteristics of my own father. He asked for loyalty, but he gave it as well.

"He was a genuine conviction politician and I think that's the highest compliment you can give anyone in this business.

"Alby's unrelenting strength was clearly demonstrated through his long battle with cancer. Whatever the expert medical predictions, he was always beating them. He was as tough as boot leather, but with an underlying gentleness that not everyone saw.

"My deepest sympathy goes to Alby's wonderful wife Glo, who Alby acknowledged was so central to his effectiveness as a representative, also to his children Grant and Dean, their partners Bec and Dev, and his five grandchildren.

"I know many people will want to pay their respects to Alby. There will be condolence books at my electorate offices in Cowra and Goulburn, as well as at my Parliament House office in Canberra. I invite any and all members of the public who wish to express their sympathy to the Schultz family or share their memories of Alby, to please feel very welcome to do so."

Member for Cootamundra katrina Hodgkinson added her own words:

"With more than 24 years of representative experience in both the NSW and Federal Parliaments, Mr Schultz had a wealth of experience in regional NSW," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"Mr Schultz was a very forthright and active member for the State Electorate of Burrinjuck and he brought these same qualities into the Federal Parliament when he won the seat of Hume in 1998.

"In both Parliaments, Mr Schultz was a strong contributor to Parliamentary committees, particularly in the role of Deputy Chair of the Primary Industries and Resource Committee.

Alby's family have thanked his medical team and asked for people to respect their privacy in a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon.

"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," they said.

"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."

"Always helping people without a voice"

Mr Schultz funeral will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, July 21, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morris Street, Cootamundra.

After the public service, the cortege will proceed to the Cootamundra Lawn Cemetery where the former Federal Member for Hume will be interred.

At the conclusion of the service, friends are invited to the Cootamundra Ex-Servicemen's and Citizens Memorial Club to share memories, stories and light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at the church to Kolling Institute Cancer Research.