Aussie entertainment stars gathered at Town Hall on Friday to attend the public memorial of ABC star James Valentine.
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Gretel Killeen Joins Star-Studded Memorial for Valentine
Aussie entertainment stars gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Friday to attend the public memorial of ABC star James Valentine.Valentine died in April, aged 64, fo...
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Valentine died in April, aged 64, following a two-year battle.
TV presenter Gretel Killeen led the celebrity arrivals, making a rare public appearance as she celebrated the life of the late entertainment veteran.
The former Big Brother star, 63, who hosted the series from 2001 to 2007, wore her natural grey hair down as she dressed in a black cardigan for the memorial.
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She was followed closely by , who looked particularly downcast as she joined mourners.
The ... Get Me Out Of Here! host, 58, rugged up in a black coat to keep away the biting cold, and kept her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses.
Gretel Killeen, 63, made a rare appearance as Aussie entertainment stars gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Friday to attend the public memorial of ABC star James Valentine
Valentine passed away at home in April aged 64 using voluntary assisted dying following a two-year cancer battle
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Kirk Pengilly could be seen lost in conversation with a fellow attendee.
The INXS bandmember, 67, wore a navy paisley button-up beneath a matching sports coat and slipped on his usual black frames.
Elsewhere, fellow ABC star Hamish Macdonald also made an appearance, stepping out in a black trench coat.
Mourners could be seen lining the street to pay their respects to Valentine, who was a pillar of the entertainment industry for almost 40 years.
The Devil's Playground star Simon Burke was spotted among the attendees, along with Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas and Independent MP Allegra Spender.
Valentine died at home in Sydney on April 22, using voluntary assisted dying.
'James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,' Valentine's family said in a statement last month.
'Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Gretel was followed by Julia Morris, 58, who looked particularly downcast as she joined mourners
Kirk Pengilly, 67, could be seen lost in conversation with a fellow attendee
Elsewhere, fellow ABC star Hamish Macdonald, 45, also made an appearance, stepping out in a black trench coat
Radio presenter Fran Kelly (left) and Valentine's wife Joanne Corrigan are pictured departing the memorial
Joanne is pictured with Valentine's son Roy
Valentine's daughter Ruby was also in attendance
Mourners could be seen lining the street to pay their respects to Valentine
The Devil's Playground star Simon Burke, 64, was spotted among the attendees
Pictured (left) is Australian chef Matt Moran and his wife Sarah Hopkins
Pictured: Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas, 74
Pictured: Independent MP Allegra Spender, 48
Pictured: Australian physician and journalist Dr Norman Swan, 73
Pictured: Artist and musician Reg Mombassa, 74
Pictured: Actor and filmmaker Richard Roxburgh, 64
Pictured: TV star Tony Squires, 64
Pictured: Comedian and presenter James O'Loghlin, 60
Pictured: Former managing director of the ABC David Anderson
Pictured: ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks
Pictured: Comedian Mark Humphries and his wife Yulia
Pictured: Radio presenter Richard Fidler, 61, and his wife Khym Lam
Pictured: Children's book author Wendy Harmer
Pictured: Mourners line up outside Sydney Town Hall
'He has been a trusted companion for so many people, part of the rhythm of everyday life for generations of our Sydney audience,' ABC managing director Hugh Marks said.
'James brought warmth, wit, and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft. His style was never about confrontation or noise - it was always about connection.'
Valentine's death came just days after he was presented with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Governor‑General Sam Mostyn recently approved the appointment and presented it to Valentine's children last weekend so they could give it to him privately.
'We were able to work very, very quickly. I knew how sick James was, and working with his family, we were able to have the medal struck and engraved with his name,' she told ABC Radio.
'I was able to present it to Ruby and Roy at Admiralty House on Saturday, so it could be given to James quietly and privately, with his family, so that he knew the community in Australia regarded him as someone who truly belonged on the honours roll.'
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