RIP, Michael Moir-Bussy
Many MSC of the older generation will be saddened to hear of the death of onetime confrere, Michael Moir-Bussy, who died in Port Moresby, January 13th and buried from the Cathedral, January 18th. There are memories from the 1950s and 1960s, the Apostolic School, Novitiate 1958 (ne of 15 novices), Croydon Monastery, Canberra Monastery – and his being on the foundations staff at Daramalan. He kept his great interest in the MSC over the decades (sometimes clicking Like on a news item on the Province website).
Here is the memory tribute from the generations of his family.
The Moir-Bussy, Buskens, Stephens and Kopkop family would like to announce the passing of their father, grandfather and great grandfather, Michael Moir-Bussy, on January 13th, 2023.
Michael was born in England and raised in Australia, however if you asked him where he was from, his reply would be Papua New Guinea. Having lived, loved and worked in PNG for 50 years, Michael leaves behind a legacy in his long career.
The Daramalan staff, 1962, photo at Caberra Monastery, Left to right, Terry Naughton, John Phelan, John Dempsey, Fred Ross and Michael.
In Michael’s early years, he commenced studies in Theology and Philosophy at the Sacred Heart Theological Seminary in Croydon, Victoria, Australia. Following teacher training at St Edmunds Christian Brothers College in Canberra, Michael was one of the founding teachers at the Daramalan College. However, it was during a visit to Port Moresby where his parents worked as lay missionaries, that his calling to Papua New Guinea (PNG) began.
From the 1960s, he has had over thirty years public service, including military and police experience, in PNG.
Michael started his career in the Department of Posts & Telegraph before moving to roles in the Public Services Commission (PSC). Some of his earlier missions included visits to Madang, Kavieng and Rabaul for Independent Advocate Bob Hawke (1966). When the newly formed Public Service Board was established, he became Executive Officer (EO) under Chairman Gerry Unkles (1969).
Michael developed a specialty in Organisation & Methods (O&M). He set up the Specialist Services Section in the PSC and taught officers from various PNG Government Departments in O & M techniques. In his role as Assistant Inspector Methods, he also taught Advanced Management at the Administrative College (ADCOL, 1970), teaching, amongst others: Philip Bouraga, Noel Levi, Israel Edoni, Joseph Nombri, Jack Bagita and Ted Diro.
During his time at the PSC, he was EO to Chairman Rabbie Namaliu on the Budget Priorities Committee (1979) and was a member of the ToRobert Committee examining administrative problems in the National Public Service (1979).
In addition to his public service career, Michael concurrently undertook military training in PNGDF Goldie River Barracks and at the Jungle Warfare Training Centre, in Canungara, Queensland. In 1975, Michael was commissioned as Officer in the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (PNGVR) of the Australian Army. He also became a member of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (1981) where he achieved the brevet rank of Superintendent.
Michael then transitioned to a career in police and security. He was EO to Minister of Police, Hon Warren Dutton (1980), before becoming EO to Police Commissioner Henry Tokam QPM (1981). He then assumed the role of Planning Officer in the PNG Department of Police (1984). During the 1985 State of Emergency in Port Moresby, Michael was appointed as EO for the Task Force on law and order, and later became Second in Command and Planner of the elite Force 10 Police Unit.
Michael commenced at the University of PNG as Officer-In-Charge of the Security Force in 1988 and would later return as the Chief of Security in 1998.
Michael was appointed the first Registrar for the PNG National Gaming Control Board (1993), before completing his distinguished public service career as EO to NCD Governor Philip Taku, MBE (1997).
In 1983, Michael and his wife, Maria Kopkop, laid the foundations of the former Bambi Day Care & preschool and eventually to Primary School and secondary school. The school had its humble beginnings at their family home in Gerehu.
For the next four decades, they worked together focusing on the development of Kopkop College with campuses built in Gerehu and Kavieng, and classes from Early Childhood Learning to Grade 12. His support and contributions were immense from policy, process and procedures, training and development, physical infrastructure to providing guidance and wisdom.
Michael supported and devoted his life to his wife, Maria Kopkop, and their families. He was a pillar of strength and resilience, providing wisdom and guidance to his wife, children and grand & great children. He leaves behind his family in Canada, England, Australia and Papua New Guinea. He also leaves behind his extended family, the staff and children of Kopkop College in NCD and New Ireland.
A PS – an anecdote from Croydon days. Michael Moir-Bussy played the housekeeper in Shadow and Substance, put on for Fr Moloney’s Golden Jubilee, 1959. However, Fr Moloney was going deaf and had a proportionately resonant voice. At a moment of quiet intensity in the play, with the housekeeper speaking in an earnest tone, suddenly from the front row, from the seat of honour, came the growl, 'Speak up, girlie, can't hear you'.
