Loving father, clever businessman and unfailingly generous community member remembered
A devoted husband, a family man, and a selflessness that stretched across the community — Ian “Buggy” Bugg has been remembered as a pillar of strength and support to all.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Buggy died on Wednesday, August 16, aged 73, four months after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive lymphoma at The Epworth, the same building he was born in.
At Shepparton Golf Club, fondly referred to as Buggy’s second home, the funeral service saw hundreds pay their respects both in-person and online via live streaming on Friday, August 25.
Speaking on the day, Janet Kirkman described her brother-in-law as handsome, smart and logical, yet understated.
“He didn’t need notoriety, held long-lasting friendships, didn’t suffer fools and absolutely placed family first,” Janet said.
Ian Bugg was born in Richmond in 1949, the eldest child of three born to Ernie and Betty Bugg.
His sister, Sue, and younger brother, Keith, grew up living in schoolhouses at Waaia, Warburton and Mitcham.
Keith recalled happy memories from his childhood — many that served as core memories as the brothers grew older.
Keith remembered a time when he would be push-biking to school and Buggy would be driving his HD sedan to work.
The bike ride up Deep Creek Rd to Mitcham High was steep, so on the way to school, while Keith was puffing up the hill, the HD would come close enough, Keith would grab the door handle, and big brother would tow him to the top.
That same regard for others continued during Buggy’s adulthood.
Rachel James said her father’s passion was always helping people, and he used every tool at his disposal to do so, particularly his accounting background.
“Whether it was the golf club, the Shepparton Swans, I don’t know how many people’s tax returns he did regularly,” Rachel said.
“It was all for no payment in return. There wasn’t the expectation of people saying Buggy did that — he didn’t do it for the accolades.
“He did it because it brought him joy — that’s how he filled his cup.”
His foremost great joy of life, however, was always and forever Corrinne “Cob” Padfield and their family.
On May 8, 1971, the couple married and went on to have two daughters, Rachel and Courtney.
In 1983, Buggy and Cob bought Shepparton Camera House, moved out of Ringwood, and cemented their family’s history in Shepparton.
Shepparton Camera House employees said there was no staff attrition after the Buggs took over.
The team — Doddsy, Tanya, Chrissie, Stewart, Sticks, Ryan, Jo and Paul — all agreed Buggy and Cob looked after them during their 40 years as business owners until Shepparton Camera House’s closure in January 2023.
Though closing its doors was a sharp blow to the community, it had nothing on a ‘Bugg spear’.
“He was the sort of guy who would throw a landmine and then watch it explode – he’d say some smart comment and wait for everyone’s reactions,” Rachel said.
“But he was also good at planting the seeds for people.
“Without solving their problems or giving them the answers, he would plant enough seeds to make them grow, and they’d be able to answer it themselves — he empowered people rather than just solving their problems.
“As quiet as he was, when he spoke, you listened ... and he was a good discusser of things.”
Buggy’s lunch groups were often on the receiving end of a Bugg spear and ‘Trojan horsed’ into resolving their issues, as were the members of his beloved Shepparton Golf Club.
Over the years, Buggy devoted many hours to ensuring the club was up to par, forging its prosperity and thriving on the friendships within it.
Buggy took a turn as president, served as treasurer for more than 10 years, and was awarded a life membership in recognition of his hard work.
Friends of Buggy, Robin and Ros Knaggs, said if Buggy was involved in anything, he gave it 100 per cent — golf, cricket, water-skiing, bike riding and beyond.
Rachel remembered her parents as an incredible unit, with no stone unturned.
If they thought it, it happened, and they made it happen together.
“Even when Courtney and I were playing netball, the Shepparton Netball Association didn’t have a good clubhouse,” she said.
“Dad worked with Mum to put in all the applications, and that’s the clubhouse that stands now. It was what they started the ball rolling for.”
Everyone that knew Buggy knew his wife Corrinne was the light of his life.
When she died in 2019 after a brave battle with cancer, all witnessed the spark diminish from Buggy.
“He chose to live for us — we have absolutely no doubt about that,” Rachel said.
Six grandchildren — Hudson, Amira, Steele, Harper, Tully and Kit — were never far away to brighten Buggy Pop’s day.
Buggy was given the highest of duties, one he did not take lightly — the school run.
Rachel remembered when it was Hudson and Amira’s turn, he would make toasties for them while they got ready.
When it was Harper, Tully and Kit’s turn, he would be conned into going via McDonald’s.
“Dad never said no to a grandchild. Ever. For anything. And they knew it, too,” Rachel said.
Trips to the Melbourne Show proved chaotic, but in the eyes of grandchild Harper, it was the best day of his life, and he told him so.
In turn, it was one of the best days of Buggy’s life.
Rachel said she and Courtney felt incredibly blessed to have had their childhood, and that their kids were growing up in the same manner.
“Dad’s big legacy is family, and we did a lot together,” she said.
“I don’t know many people my age who would still go on a family holiday ... and it was the whole lot of us.
“It didn’t stop when we got married, the husbands (Kyren and Brad) came too, and the kids — they just got bigger and better.”
From himself and Cob coming back from their road-trip honeymoon with $20 in their pocket to a family trip to America, to Buggy Pop’s European adventure with his kids and grandkids.
Rachel remembered being on a cruise leaving Monaco, her dad sitting at the back of the ship, having a moment when he was watching all his children and grandchildren together.
Without a doubt, Buggy and Cob are reunited now, peacefully and protectively continuing to watch over their two daughters, two sons-in-law and six grandchildren.