A state memorial service will be held for comedy legend Barry Humphries in Sydney, after his family declined a service in Melbourne.
The Melbourne-born actor died aged 89 in Sydney last month, following complications from hip surgery.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last week there would be a joint state service for the comedian, hosted by the Victorian, NSW and Commonwealth governments.
“He (Humphries) is someone who gave an enormous amount of pleasure to generations of Australians,” Mr Albanese said.
“I know how warmly he was regarded by people in Australia and the UK.”
However, Mr Albanese’s announcement gave few details about how the complicated funeral arrangements would be managed.
On Tuesday, it emerged the Victorian government had contacted Humphries’ family to discuss a state service. They refused the offer and instead opted for the event to be held in NSW.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his government made the offer in good faith and did not know why the family chose Sydney over Melbourne.
“The family decided to have it in Sydney. That’s ultimately their call,” he said on Wednesday.
“There could be multiple opinions within that family. But that’s a matter for them and we should respect their privacy.”
Mr Andrews wasn’t sure what role his government would play or whether Victorian taxpayers would be asked to foot part of the bill.
Details around the preparations for the Sydney service are still be finalised and will be shared at a later date.
Humphries was reportedly farewelled at a private funeral hosted by his friend, artist Tim Storrier, at his Bowral estate in the NSW Southern Highlands in late April.
Film director Bruce Beresford – who was one of the few invited to the ceremony – told The Australian was “a small affair, just family and close friends”.
“It was very touching, very warm. Everybody was either related or a great friend of Barry’s,” Beresford said.
Humphries reportedly suffered a series of health struggles in recent months following a fall earlier this year.
He leaves behind a wife Lizzie Spender, four children and 10 grandchildren.
Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for more than half a century with satirical characters including Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. He was also a founding patron of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, leading to it naming its annual prize for most outstanding act after him in 2000.
– with AAP
