The family of Judith Durham, legendary singer of the Seekers, have accepted an offer from Premier Daniel Andrews of a state funeral, as fans across the world took to social media to express their sadness and share memories.
The singer died in palliative care in Melbourne on Friday of complications from chronic lung disease. She was 79.
Judith Durham pictured in 2019.Credit:Paul Jeffers
On Twitter on Sunday afternoon, the Victorian premier announced Durham would be farewelled with a state service.
“I’ve spoken with Judith Durham’s family today and I’m pleased they have accepted the offer of a state funeral to honour the life and contribution of a true icon of Australian music,” Andrews wrote.
An earlier tweet said: “Her memory will not only live on in her numerous hit songs, but in the hearts of generations of Victorians and Australians.”
Fellow Seeker Keith Potger told Seven News on Sunday that surviving band members were fortunate to have a few minutes on the phone with Durham in her last days, to express “love for one another and happy times” and tell her “how much she meant and how loved she was”.
Bandmate Athol Guy told Nine News that Durham gave “110 per cent every time we walked on stage”. Guy said Durham was like “a little sister” to him and the other two band members.
He said when they first met, Durham was “bold as brass”, asking when he would come and hear her sing, but also “very cute, very sweet”.
Durham’s sister Beverley Sheehan told Nine that for Durham, “music was healing”.
Sheehan remembered Durham “sitting at the piano and singing”. She said Durham was a positive and loving person, who would end conversations by saying “I love you”.
Actor Magda Szubanski tweeted that Durham’s death was “so sad”.
“Her beautiful, crystalline voice was the naive but knowing siren song of my childhood.”
Hunters and Collectors lead singer Mark Seymour said on Facebook: “Her voice came into my life in a small Victorian country town, Beaufort 1964. ‘I know I’ll never find another you.’ Learned the words, learned how to sing it. Thank you, Judith xx.”
3AW radio host Neil Mitchell said on Facebook: “Vale, Judith Durham. Magnificent to listen to and delightful to deal with at any level.”
Jazz musician Paul Grabowsky said Durham “had a voice like a bell and was a beautiful human being. My love and condolences to Judith’s family and friends, and my thanks for her music.”
Earlier on Sunday, Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he supported Durham receiving a state funeral. He expressed his sadness at Durham’s passing, calling her “an absolute Australian icon, a legend for so many decades in this country”.
“She has been an absolute trailblazer and left an immense legacy … I think all Australians just loved Judith Durham and loved the Seekers.” he said.
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