Inside Shane Warne’s State Memorial: How it came together in three weeks

A team of people worked tirelessly to make Shane Warne’s State Memorial a tribute fit for a king. Here’s how they made it happen in just three weeks.

Jackson Warne with his dad’s mates on the MCG ahead of the state memorial.

Eddie McGuire’s JAMTV pulled off one of the biggest technical feats in television history by organising the Shane Warne Memorial at the MCG in just three weeks.

McGuire’s right-hand man and a friend of Warne’s, Luke Tunnecliffe, was charged with the responsibility of leading the worldwide broadcast to an audience of more than one billion people.

“What an honour it was to be asked by the family,’’ Tunnecliffe said.

“I was privileged to be inside the inner sanctum and my role was to ensure that the family was involved in every step of the process, had creative input and ultimately ended up with a memorial that they were proud of,” he said.

“We went in with the mindset ‘what would have Shane wanted’.

“Eddie, our CEO Cos Cardone and I sat down three weeks ago and scribbled down a plan, then it was down to execution.”

Luke Tunnecliffe and Eddie McGuire ahead of Shane Warne’s State Memorial organised the event.

Cos Cardone and Luke Tunnecliffe inside the MCG.

In some respects it was a logistical nightmare, but in others Tunnecliffe says it was easy.

“Frankly Warnie himself should get a producing credit on his own memorial because the legacy of that man helped opened doors for us to some of the biggest names in the world. All of them needed no convincing to be involved – and for them, they felt it was an honour,” he said.

“His reach around the world was extraordinary. From sportsmen to politicians to entertainers.

“Tapping into his network was a joy for us. It’s been clear he is held in such high regard from all around the world.”

Two of Warne’s inner circle were instrumental in bringing all the parts together.

Outside of his family, no one spent more time with him than his long-term personal assistant Helen Nolan and manager Andrew Neophitou.

“Given what those two have had to endure over the last month I’m not sure how they are still standing,’’ Tunnecliffe said.

“Both are incredibly strong and talented individuals and have led from the front in the most challenging of times.”

JAMTV were able to lean on those that had been down this path before them in pulling together the State Memorial for the late Michael Gudinski.

“We were fortunate to have Travis Hogan and Anna Toman ride shotgun – these were two of

Michael Gudinski’s trusted confidants from Mushroom who tragically only 12 months earlier had to organise their own state memorial for their boss and great mate,’’ Tunnecliffe said.

“The knowledge they shared was invaluable. I’m sure Michael and Shane were up there with a gin in hand having a good laugh last night.”

Brooke, Jackson and Summer Warne unveil the Shane Warne Stand during the State Memorial service for the former Australian cricketer at the MCG. Picture: AFP

Jon Stevens performs during the state memorial service. Picture: Getty Images

Tunnecliffe added: “I’m biased, but the team of people we have at JAMTV are the best in business. They worked around the clock to make last night perfect”.

“The state government need to be congratulated for affording Shane the service and their team worked tirelessly to make the occasion what it was. It was the ultimate team effort.

“I also think Ed showed everyone why he’s the best live television host in this country. His support of the family and the way he conducted the funeral a fortnight ago was first class.”

And Tunnecliffe’s only regret?

“Shane was obsessed with Bruce Springsteen, so much so he attended over 50 of his concerts around the world. The irony was though that The Boss was the only man on the planet that he was actually intimidated by,” he said.

“So we would have loved to have got the great man down to belt out Shane’s favourite song Thunder Road but due to tour commitments he was unavailable.”

Tunnecliffe’s highlight was Warne’s family.

“Seeing how strong Shane’s dad, brother and kids have been has been awe inspiring. Every single one of their speeches on the night moved me to tears and I’m sure I wasn’t alone.”

Originally published as Inside Shane Warne’s State Memorial: How it came together in three weeks