It was a farewell as big as the personality of the wise, cheeky Aboriginal legend it honoured.
Hundreds of mourners from across politics, the arts and Indigenous communities gathered in Melbourne to remember the "finest storyteller", Uncle Jack Charles.
Before his final departure in a hearse down St Kilda Road, flanked by the community that loved him, a state funeral heard dozens of affectionate tales of the man dubbed the father of black theatre.
Voices of those who shared in his journey cracked with emotion as they spoke of his generosity and dedication to his community.
Uncle Jack's manager, Patrice Capogreco, told a packed Hamer Hall there were many things about the day that would have made Uncle Jack proud.
"A sold-out Hamer Hall, a state funeral with a revised anthem, but I have a feeling that the one that would take the cake is today's livestreaming into our prisons," she said.
The prison streaming of the state funeral for the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Taungurung man was a fitting tribute, recognising his work to improve life for those in institutions.
"He was an advocate for each and every one of you," fellow Stolen Generations survivor and songwriter Uncle Kutcha Edwards told those watching from jails.
"Because we did our time as children in those institutions, so I send a cheerio to you all."
Many of the speakers described the 79-year-old's legacy as one of giving back after enduring a life of extraordinary hardship he should never have been forced to shoulder.
Taken from his family as a baby and institutionalised, Uncle Jack's traumatic childhood paved the way to an adult life stuck on a treadmill of addiction and petty crime.
But it was a cycle he broke late in life, while forging a stellar career across film, the stage and TV, including the authoring of his own book.
Victoria's Acting Aboriginal Affairs Minister Colin Brooks addressed the funeral in place of Premier Daniel Andrews, who cancelled his appearance due to the floods devastating large parts of the state.
Mr Brooks spoke of the "momentous day" when Uncle Jack became the first person to give evidence to Australia's first formal Indigenous truth-telling inquiry, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
"It was only right that the first person to share his story was the finest storyteller of them all," he said.
Mr Brooks said in spite of his hardship, Uncle Jack lived a life of love, acting as a "leading light" for the community.
"Through tragedy he created art, and through art he created a powerful voice for change," he said.
"He gave us more wisdom than we ever deserved from him, he gave us more compassion than we were ever owed."
The state funeral carried all the moods of the talented performer — at times deep in grief and loss, at others riotous with laughter as friends shared stories of his irrepressible mischief.
"Uncle Jack's stories were always like magic tricks, filled with misdirection and rich with circuitous details," his friend and director Amiel Courtin-Wilson recalled.
He added they were also filled with honesty, and in listening, the late elder gave people "space to be themselves", forever seeing the light and dignity in every person he met.
As theatre director Rachael Maza put it, Uncle Jack was without a "judgemental bone in his body", as he worked to build a better world despite the hardship he endured.
"You may not be able to control what life throws at you, but like Uncle Jack on the pottery wheel, it's what you make of it," she said.
'He was a deadly man … we love him'
Aboriginal activist Gary Foley recalled when he first saw Uncle Jack on stage, he was struck by the sight of the slight figure on stage, with a "magnificent voice" and presence that filled the room.
"He deserved those last couple of decades where he went from strength to strength," Professor Foley said.
"I knew you'd get a packed house for your last show, mate."
Outside, the love for Uncle Jack could be seen on the faces of the mourners who gathered to bid the charismatic performer a final farewell.
Hundreds of onlookers clapped and cheered as Indigenous dancers performed.
Watching on was Uncle Peter Letting, whose nephew was among the dancers.
The elder, from Noonkanbah in the Kimberley, said his heart was full of love for the late Uncle Jack.
"He was a dear old man and I used to meet him in Collingwood, in Smith Street, and I used to have a cup of coffee with him," an emotional Uncle Peter said.
"He was a deadly man, you know … we love him."
Djirri Djirri dancer Mandy Nicholson said seeing the dance groups come together reminded her of Uncle Jack's powerful legacy.
"The black theatre world is missing the king of theatre," the Wurundjeri woman said.
"So the people of Narrm, of Melbourne, are really going to miss him.
"And by having these dance groups in the fire altogether, having that community vibe has really made us reflect on him and the power of this little staunch black man, and we're gonna miss him so much."
Diarmuid Hannigan, who used to run a cheesecake shop in Fitzroy, said he got to know the "extremely friendly" Uncle Jack years ago when he helped him escape a dangerous moment on the street.
"He was being harassed by one of the local drug dealers there, because he'd [Uncle Jack] put an intervention order on him," Mr Hannigan said.
"And so he took shelter in my shop for a while."
Mr Hannigan said he felt Uncle Jack had helped to show "the disparity in wealth and some of the inadequacies that are within our society today".
"And it goes back to the fact that there's no respect for family or community in our laws," he said.
"We need a treaty first, to address how our judicial system actually operates and how it needs to be directed towards looking after our communities and our family."
Uncle Jack's niece Ajia Jacklyn Charles-Hamilton said the family was grateful for the love and support they had felt from the community.
"Thank you so much, he'd be tickled by that," she said.
"He was eternally optimistic and always working towards making a better world for his family and community … he leaves behind an incredible legacy."
Before the state funeral drew to a close, Uncle Jack's manager urged the community to draw on the artistic gifts he left behind in his book, play Jack Charles V The Crown and documentary Bastardy.
"There are obviously some pretty influential people in this room today," she said.
"And Uncle Jack would be pretty annoyed with me if I let my five-minute allocation in this service today go by without asking for something.
"My ask today is let's start a conversation about actually having these resources officially added to the state's curriculum and accessible to those in our prisons."
If the thunderous applause in the room was any guide, it's a legacy the community is keen to embrace.
