I love my dad. Dad was incredibly generous with himself and his time. He helped others without ever wanting anything in return and was especially generous with his own family. Dad was born : 4 August 1932 in Sydney to Phyllis & Randal Berry He was Christened Howard William Berry but to many people has always been known as Buster. For those who never knew how he got this name; when Granny was pregnant with dad she was at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and fell off her chair. One of her English friends said “That was a nasty Buster” ....and the name stuck. Dad had three gorgeous older sisters: Val, Joan and Buddy who all adored him. He was always happiest surrounded by family in his childhood and had a wonderful time living in Bombillee Avenue, Vaucluse in Sydney. He lived just near Vaucluse Bay and Parsley Bay one of the most beautiful spots in Sydney and had many adventures exploring the rocks and bays surrounding his home with his neighbourhood friends. He had told us about a time he rode his Billy Cart down the steep road to Parsley Bay and crashing at the bottom and getting concussed. He had to wait there whilst a neighbour got granny to pick him up, and another time when he got swept out in a rip at Bondi Beach. I got the impression he’d been taken right out to sea then dumped back in at the next beach and then had to walk bravely all the way back. But he told it as if it was some great adventure; which was really how he viewed life, and not some horrible thing that happened. He definitely had a positive attitude on life and always had a smile on his face. Dad attended Cranbrook College as a little kid. We’ve got a photo of him running in the egg and spoon race which was featured in the news paper at the time. He then went to Scots College when he was old enough to walk up the hill. Dad’s father, Randal died when dad was 9, and soon after World War 2 broke out, causing his school to relocate to Bathurst, where dad was packed off on a train to become a founding student at Scots Bathurst. He told us about more fun things he got up to at Boarding school – such as sneaking into the local orchard and sitting in the trees and eating the fruit & sneaking a tube of sweetened condensed milk to bed to eat under the sheets after lights out at night. The family moved to Melbourne when dad was 11 when Gran remarried Walter Berry. Dad started at Scotch College meeting many lifelong friends. He was involved in lots of activities including cadets, swimming and rugby. When he first came to Melbourne there was a story of him playing football – having lived in Sydney he got the ball and started running to get a “try” only to be stopped by the umpire blowing his whistle and taking the ball away – This was his initiation to Aussie rules! He went to the University of Melbourne in 1952 and studied Law. Whilst at Melbourne Uni he lived at Ormond College for a couple of years where again he had lots of stories He was also involved with Power House playing Rugby. Whilst at Uni, he went to India representing Melbourne University to attend a conference. He loved travel and had the good fortune to also go off the beaten track to all sorts of exotic places. After Dad finished uni he did his articles at Whiting and Byrne and was Admitted to the Bar in 1958. He continued at Whiting and Byrne becoming a partner in 1962 and being instrumental in the mergers that lead to Pavey Whiting & Byrne and finally becoming Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Dad loved his career and only retired after getting Parkinsons much later. He met my mum, Kaye, in 1958, and got engaged in 1959. In 1959 they also went on a very special trip; travelling to Europe and America along with some friends. Dad started in the Army Reserves during his time at uni and this remained an important part of his life for many years rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at 6 RVR. He briefly went to Vietnam in 1970 as an observer, and spent many years in the Army Reserve after that as a leader. I asked him once why he was in the Army Reserves and he said it was his duty to do it for his country. On 6 April 1960 mum and dad got married here in this very church. My brothers Rick and Pete and myself were born in the early to mid ‘60s and what followed were many happy years of picnics, great holidays and a happy home life. We had many great Christmas holidays with our large and loud Sydney family and amazing skiing holidays at Falls Creek and Mt.Buller. Dad would come home from work on a Friday evening, pack the car, and drive to Falls Creek. Sometimes he’d have to put chains on and once there load all our luggage into the over snow transport and then slide it down to the flat. It was arduous but he never once complained nor indicated it was hard. We all loved skiing so much and these holidays were so special. In 1981 we had our first trip overseas meeting Dad’s cousins John and Neville Phillips in London and our Danish cousins in Copenhagen. This was where we met our cousin Thomas Hansen for the first time and he has flown in today from Singapore especially to pay his respects to dad. And is in fact flying out again tonight. On the big 1981 family overseas trip we skied at some of the most amazing places in the world and had the most incredible holiday together. Dad was very involved with politics for many years being on state council for the Liberal Party. He was very committed to his involvement and made a great contribution with his time over the years. He was also a member of Rotary being a part of the South Melbourne club, which was an important part of his life for many years. Mum and Dad were involved with many Rotary conventions both in Australia and overseas. Even when dad retired he was still involved with community service and doing things to help people. He was incredibly excited to become a grandfather in 2000 to Finn. He was so excited when we were telling mum that they were going to become grandparents for the first time, that he came running from the bathroom with his pants around his knees! Saying “What’s happening!” In fact he bought Finn’s first teddy bear, Mr.Snuggleton five months before Finn was due. When Finn was born even though it was very late they came out to the hospital at midnight to meet their grandchild. Finn loved his Grandpa so much, and Mr.Snuggleton is very special and a constant reminder of their bond. As most of you know, Dad had Parkinsons for many years. He experienced a gradual decline and hated every minute of it. He told me once “Its horrible getting old”. I used to pick him up from the nursing home to take him back home to mum, but taking him back to the nursing was always arduous. My Dad loved life with a great passion. He loved his friends. He was incredibly loyal, trustworthy and generous. He loved his family; his kids, his grandson, his sisters, his nieces and nephews. But more than anything he loved his wife Kaye, whom he spent 51 years of marriage with. I would like to acknowledge my mother and the amazing support she gave Dad during their marriage but especially during his years with Parkinsons. She stood by him, supported him and loved him during his decline. She visited him every single day and always honored and helped him. Thank you Mum I’d also like to acknowledge my brothers who were fortunate like me to grow up in our family. They both had their own very special times with dad.

Roberta Tweedy

11 years ago

What a lovely tribute! But I wondered if your grandfather, Randal, was the same Randal Berry who was a friend, in England, of my grandmother? Her mother, in turn, was friends with Howard and Georgie Berry, who came from Melbourne - their house was called Winterbourne, and was in the suburb of Hawthorn. If so, I'd love to know as they are both mentioned in documents I still have from my grandmother.

9 years ago

Yes, that is the Randal you knew. And yeswe have all the photos f Georgie andHoward, maybe your great grandmother is in sme of the photos.Yesterday was my Howardsbirthday.

9 years ago

Darling Buster it is hard to beliece it is now 3 years since you left us, and yesterday was your birthday.....happy birthday darling