BUTT, Arthur Winchester

Dear Dad,
Men are complex things but you made most men look quite simple. Highly intelligent and highly emotional, your mind worked nineteen to the dozen and while much was left in its wake, you were always there for your boys, and if the measure of a man is his willingness to render assistance to others, then you were a giant. You might have passed, but you will live on in so many memories. In fact, given that I have shared some of your funny moments with thousands of my students over the years, it looks like you will be living on for a long time to come. I am truly sorry that we did not get to say goodbye, but I am sure that when we meet again, we’ll be able to pick up where we left off and I look forward to it.
Until then.
Love – Drew, Leonie, Ben, Connor and Anton

Dear Arthur, you gave a lot of yourself in conversations about your life, what you believed in and what you were thinking through. You loved animals and I remember you speaking about Garfield the cat who was one amongst many that found a home with you and your family. The old kangaroo…. We spoke about your childhood, your time in the army, with the mounted police in Sydney, bushfire where you lived, guns, people you implicitly trusted, building your home, verandahs, your grandchildren and children, life’s good moments and some of the challenges you went through.
You were a rock solid person, who knew yourself and cared a lot about those closest to you. I learned so much from you Arthur and I am grateful for the friendship you showed me.
I miss you and will never forget you,….your courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, your resilience, strengths and determination to keep going…..i remember…..
Thank you for being a gift to the world,
Debra Johnston