EULOGY - Albert Fletcher Buffett - 1940-2024

Thank you all for comen doun des daey, Dad would be se larna all yorley fe stop hoem, no use yorley come doun, but daa was hem.

Dad, giwe uklan very specific orders that this service be short en sweet, so short, we would hardly even hawe time fe walk een, but being the person that he was, we could not leave without this reminder, to us all, of the many things he was a part of and been do fe all uklan. Nor gwen be daa lorng though, I fraid he tap me orna shoulder en tull “daa el do, we start, I el ya da gate openen”. So here we go,

Owas Dad, Pa, Grandpa, Uncle, Black Santa, Fred, these were just a few of the loving names that we all knew owas Pa by.

Albert Fletcher Buffett, born ya orn Norfolk on the 02^nd August 1940, the youngest son of Bernard Campbell “Lulla” Buffett and Pearl Buffett, nee Nobbs, only brother to William “Wombat” Buffett, and the last of his family to leave this world some 51 years after the loss of Uncle Willy, Dad was just 32 years old at that time.

All of his schooling was completed at Norfolk Island Central School, although we use daa word very loosely, as when he was there, classroom time was very limited as he always seem fe find his way outside the classroom, usually with Joe Nobbs, as the teachers had very little time for their antics, which of course was totally unwarranted according to Dad. Semez all owas Old Norfolk Islanders, they lived in tough times, often with very little, yet from stories we hear, always seem to have so much. From riding horses to and from school, church or wherever they needed to go, to living from this very rich land of owas. We bin ya daa many delightfully funny stories of his childhood with his many friends and family and I am sure there a few we have not heard as well.

He started his working life on Norfolk at the age of 16 fer Gussy Martin delivering fuel en general stores lornga his cousin Mervyn.

At around the age of 18, he left his beloved Norfolk to enlist in the RNZAF with Norm “Goof” LeCren and was trained to be airborne medic for the Vietnam war. This was a new unit that involved parachute jumping, of which he completed many jumps and he loved it. The war, however, ended before he got the chance to get deployed and so he completed his time in the Airforce and joined the Auckland Airport Crash Fire & Rescue service. During his time in the fire service, he was very proud to be Chief Pilot, and one of the first 9 pilots trained on the SRN-5 Air Sea Rescue Hovercraft that Auckland Airport put into service in 1964. He stayed with the Auckland Fire Service until his return to Norfolk.

It was during his time in NZ, that he fell in love with Jeanette Ann Mackie, although they had met in Norfolk when Jen was younger. They married in Mangere, Auckland on the 13th June 1964, his love for mum was unwavering and forever. After losing a son, Neil, and daughter Kaye, at birth, along came three boys, and as Dad would always describe us, the ‘medium’ one, Craig, the ‘rare’ one, Brian and the ‘well done’ one, Glen. Moving us all back to his Island hoem in 1972. Over the next 50+ years he saw all of us make additions to his family, firstly, 3 wonderful Daughter in laws, Jill, Leanne and Karen, all of whom he loved and welcomed with all of his heart. Then 6 Grandchildren, Tiffany, Adam, William, Fletcher, Jacinta and Rawson all of whom he adored dearly and was so proud of each and every one of them. He also knew that with, the recent addition of 2 more partners to our growing family, Ben and Rach, there will be 2 Great grandchildren arriving in 2024 and it brought him much joy to hear the news.

On his return to Norfolk Island, Dad was involved in many career opportunities which included, Linesman with Electricity, Customs and Quarantine Officers, Working the Cargo Ships, Building and Health inspectors, all told, 34 years as a Public Servant. In all these roles he achieved success and did the job with the utmost honesty and integrity. Always adored by his peers he was usually involved in many of the humorous antics that would go on, that so many Norfolk Islanders are well known for.

He was heavily involved with many community Groups, Scouts with Nobby Bruce, 10 years President of the P & C Assoc., Camp Quality facilitator, Chair of the NI Museum trust and the RSL Sub Branch for so many years, where he volunteered his time to assist in so many parts of where the RSL is today. He loved this work and his office at home is still covered in evidence of his work. During this time, he was the RSL Welfare officer and part time DVA Community Liaison Officer. All this community work was recognized in 2006, when he was named as the Norfolk Island Citizen of the Year in the Australian Day awards, which he accepted humbly.

He loved his sport and was a pretty good all-rounder at most. He loved his tennis en had a wicked left-hand spin serve, he lost his two front teeth playing Rugby Union for the RNZAF but still played Rugby league when we came back to Norfolk for his much loved Cascade Reds with, and against all his mates. Later in life he enjoyed golfing with ‘dads army’ probably more for the laughs and stories than the competition though.

Driven to serve his community Albert was a local Magistrate for the legal system here on Norfolk for 23 years, a position he took on with great respect, was always fair and really believed he could make change to many that would come through the court doors. He stood for government, and was elected to the 3rd Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 1983 for a term, once again determined to get better conditions for his land and people. He was on too many meeting groups and committees to list always willing to give his time and energy to others.

Dad had a very special relationship to Pitcairn Island and its people, visiting on the inaugural Norfolk Islander Pilgrimage in 1984 and then again in 1991 when Spud was living there, he felt very blessed to have many close friendships and ties gen all dem sullen. He keenly, en regularly, updated all uwa with news from Ralda en dem.

Dad was so very proud to be a Norfolk Islander and loved this land, uwas culture, tradition, and people. He was instrumental re-establishing the NI Council of Elders, proud to be the inaugural President and hold office for many years, finishing only due to his ill health. The changes that came our way in 2016 was something he did not believe was right and before day one, started his campaign to return democracy back to his Island and its people. He became the island figurehead for justice and utilized his position as president as a tool to unite Norfolk sullen and petition against this change. He spent countless days and nights, trips to New York, London and other places working for his people and land and although the job is not yet complete, he did give us the start and we will continue to keep the fight going for him and daa thing he tull ”do we awa giwe up”.

Dad, loved his family and was always there for us, whether it was keeping us from becoming bored, by taking us out in the paddock to dig out weeds, helping us out with whatever we needed or just being there for all of us, he was our rock, Inspiration, Bas maet, and role model for us with our own families. He would always make us laugh, was a loving, cussard, honest human being who would always put others in front of himself, always offering help to those who needed it, Norfuk se lorse one big deep-rooted Pine.

On behalf of owas Mum and myse brothers and family, I would to thank everyone that has delivered sweet wettles (and plenty of it), kindness, love over, not just the past few days, but the last 5 years as Dad battled and fought hard against his illness, there are too many to name and I too fraid I miss one of yorley, but if I could make special mention to

Glynn, Greig en family, we all know Pa hardly like fer leave Steeles Point, en really nawa like a leave Norfolk so we are forever so grateful fer meken yorleys home, mum en dad's 'Brisbane home'. Thank you also to, Josh, Skye, Tony & Karen and all of our Brisbane family en friends fer looken out fer dem too.

Dr Jenny, Doctor, colleague and friend for her early diagnose and long-time care,

Drs Pete and Jodie, we were so lucky to have you both around for Dad in the past few months and days, the love and care you gave was simply amazing. En, Jode, he would be se so proud to have one of owas sullen fe hem dere at the end.

Aunty Kay Rug, you are an absolute Angel and we could have not done without you over the last couple of days, we love you and will be eternally grateful.

To All of the Hospital staff here in Norfolk and the PA staff in Brisbane, he was a bit of favorite amongst so many of the staff in Brisbane, as was his way wherever he went.

To Ewan & Sam at the pharmacy your service and support has been a godsend,

To Shane and the Gravediggers, Leonard for driwen daa Hearse, the so many Wreath makers, RSL for their tribute, Tim for the Police escort and Minister Ron, for today we thank you all.

To Trent and Dids for their tributes and to Trent for the PA as well.

To Toni and Photopress for the service sheets.

To Jode, for all your help not only with the service order and sheet, but your unwavering support and assistance with Dad to get his book together and published, he was so amazed at how you were able to be on the same page as he was which made so much easier for him to finish it, our family will be forever grateful to you.

Finally, to our boys Adz, Will, Fletch, Rawsy, Ben and Curty for being pallbearers, today Grandpa would have been so proud of you all.

Please yorley, but with all dem flu en a thing gwen about jes now, owas family will not be staying at the gate after the service and hope that all yorley stop safe and healthy and once again thanks fe owa and thanks fe comen.

Rest in Peace Pa, we will all love and miss you always.

Taa yorlii fer tunen up des dae fer tull farewell gwen awas Dad. Dad’s fight fer Norfolk nawa start een 2015 bin gwen lorng es I’ll remember. Back een the 80’s he travel to Aust lornga 1 of our great past elders Mr Greg Quintal fer try en get wun batter deal fer Norfolk back den.

Dad’s love en passion fer Norfolk nawa waver, en I lika tull, taa gwen dem sullen from afar who bin send dems condolences, en messages of support gwen awa, en I jes lika read couple out.

Andre, Kim en Family wish dem was yaa, en send dems goodbye fer wunna Norfolks Tall Pines.

Andrew Rosindall, Lord Allen Howarth, Russ Banks & the APPG Team: Albert was a fine gentleman and advocate for Norfolk Island. It was a pleasure to have known him & to have worked with him to support Norfolk Island over so many years. He will certainly be missed. Albert was most certainly a Tall Pine & stood firm for the rights of Norfolk Islanders. My fondest memory of Albert is being able to introduce him to Boris Johnson in the Speaker’s house. I am sure that gave the foreign office sleepless nights when Canberra found out.

Dr Carlyle Corbin: Please extend my deep condolences to the people of Norfolk Island, who have lost a most illustrious leader, freedom fighter & human rights defender. May brother Albert rest in peace & rise in glory.

Geoffrey Robertson & his team: Please pass on my appreciation of Alberts courage and determination to advance the just cause of the men & women of Norfolk against the ignorance of the Australian government and its administrators and others who would deny the right of his community to advance and protect their cultural heritage. He was a true leader, far sighted in his view of the future and realistic in reckoning about how to proceed. He will go down in the islands history as a pioneer of the self-determination of its indigenous people. For my part I can say it was always a privilege to act for him and a pleasure to meet with him to discuss the cause so deep in his heart. His family and friends must stay proud of all he has achieved and has left for future generations to build on his life’s work.