Albert Bussau

With his mother's encouragement, he continued his education, first at night at a private college, and then by correspondence with the University of Melbourne law faculty, becoming an articled clerk.

He was employed by the legal firm, J.S.Wright-Smith, attending to business in the Warracknabeal, Beulah and Hopetoun districts, travelling by bicycle to visit clients.

In 1915, after a terrible drought, he bought 640 acres (259 hectares) of land north of Hopetoun to grow wheat and raise fat lambs, later extending the farm in partnership with share farmers.

[1] In 1916, Bussau became a supporter of Percy Stewart and the radical Victorian Farmers' Union, advocating on rural issues.

[1] Bussau’s interest in representative politics found local expression when he was elected to the Karkarooc Shire Council.

During The Blitz of London in 1940-41, he was actively engaged in Fire Watch duties and was nicknamed as "the Mad Australian" for the daring he showed in that role.