By Goya Dmytryshchak
Emotional mourners broke into song and laughter during Friday’s state funeral for Joan Kirner, Williamstown’s “favourite daughter”.
Victoria’s only female premier was farewelled in a moving service at Williamstown Town Hall.
Caroline Hogg, a minister in the Kirner government, performed a reading from Shakespeare’s
Cymbeline and described Ms Kirner as “the bravest woman I ever knew”.
Cousin Max Cole recalled that even as a child Ms Kirner had been committed to justice.
“When we were young kids, Joan’s dog got caught by the Essendon council dog-catcher,” Dr Cole said. “We crept up to the dog cart while the dog-catcher was chasing another dog down the street and opened the door. We and five dogs ran for our lives”.
Former Labor state secretary Jenny Beacham recalled Ms Kirner’s ability to empower others.
“She made us believe in ourselves and you could do anything after talking to her,” she said.
Former Labor MP Candy Broad said Ms Kirner “was tireless in promoting women and community whenever, wherever she could”.
“She could be stubborn, wilful and down- right unreasonable in her pursuit of these goals, but we are all better off because of that determination,” she said.
Yorta Yorta Aboriginal leader Paul Briggs said Ms Kirner was troubled by the poverty and injustice a section of her community was suffering. Noting that Ms Kirner was an Essendon fan, he recalled a couple of Aboriginal women humorously vowing to put a curse on John Elliot and the Carlton Football Club.
“Although John Elliot is no longer president of the Blues, you may argue the curse is still effective,” he said.
The funeral was attended by present and past premiers including Daniel Andrews, John Cain, Steve Bracks, Ted Baillieu and Jeff Kennett, as well as Opposition leader Matthew Guy and federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten.
As Ms Kirner’s pallbearers started to leave, loudspeakers played Paul Kelly’s
From little things big things grow.
Mourners slowly streamed out, crying and singing. Even in death, Ms Kirner took the community with her.
Personal tributes can be posted at
www.valejoankirner.org
