The singer died in palliative care in Melbourne on Friday of complications from chronic lung disease. She was 79.
Judith Durham pictured in 2019.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.”
Durham’s sister,Beverley Sheehan,told Nine News on Sunday that a state funeral would be “a marvellous recognition” of Durham’s life.
Sheehan said her sister,who had been very ill in her final days,had said she was not afraid of dying.
Sheehan remembered her sister as being like a 1960s Kylie Minogue,who at about age nine had said:“I’m going to sing on stages all around the world.”
Durham’s Seekers bandmate Keith Potger paid an emotional tribute,saying it meant a lot that in her last hours he talked by phone with the singer who he affectionately called his “little sister”.
Fellow Seeker Athol Guy told Nine:“We were able to say how much we loved her and how much the journey had been such a beautiful thing with her. And to go peacefully,and she was ... quite ready to go.”
Actor Magda Szubanski tweeted that Durham’s passing was “just 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.”
Pianist and composer 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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