Jane Garrett farewelled in state memorial at Brunswick

Flags at Victorian parliament are flying half mast as Jane Garrett is farewelled in a state memorial at Brunswick Town Hall.

Former Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett. Picture: David Caird

Fierce, funny and sharp-witted, Jane Garrett has been remembered as a force of nature who swept into people’s lives and was electric to be around.

A state service honouring the former Labor minister, who died at just 49 in July, heard from some of her dearest friends on Friday at the Brunswick Town Hall packed with Victorian identities.

Former premiers, union bosses, politicians, and community advocates came together to remember a woman who wanted to change the world and had a habit of changing the lives of those around her.

In fitting Jane Garrett style, she was even honoured with a musical tribute from You Am I frontman Tim Rogers.

Close friend and fellow Labor upper house MP Mark Gepp was master of ceremonies and said it was appropriate that the service was held in Brunswick, a long time stomping ground for the Garrett family.

He praised her for the litany of accomplishments she achieved in a short space of time.

This included a busy legal career, an adviser role for Steve Bracks, a term as mayor for the City of the Yarra and her achievements as an state MP and minister

During this time, she also met her husband James and brought her children Molly, Sasha and Max.

“I just feel tired thinking about it,” Mr Gepp said.

Jane Garrett at home with husband James Higgins and their children Sasha, Max and Molly. Picture: David Caird

Former Premier Steve Bracks remembered Ms Garrett as a ‘brilliant mind’ with ‘the best laugh’. Picture: James Ross

Former MP Sharon Knight spoke as a member of the “class of 2010” group of Labor politicians who were elected into parliament that year alongside Ms Garrett.

She was emotional as she recalled the ways Ms Garrett would energise the lives of those around her.

“If you were lucky enough to be loved by Jane, then you were very lucky indeed,” Ms Knight said.

“She also really valued your opinion. I wish I had $1 for every time I heard her say ‘So Shaz, what do you think?’

“Jane always stayed upright, even when she wanted to fall.

“She always stayed fearsome even when she was consumed by fear.

Former Premier Jeff Kennett at the state memorial service for Jane Garrett at the Brunswick Town Hall. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Former MP Sharon Knight paid tribute to her ‘feisty and loyal friend’. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“And she always, always stayed the best, funniest, loudest, strongest, feisty, and loyal friend you could ever have.”

Ms Knight said she did not believe in an afterlife, but that Ms Garrett did.

“I really hope that she’s right and I’m wrong,” she said.

“Because I would give anything to see her again and hear her say, as she showed me around, ‘So Shaz, what do you think?’.”

Former Premier Steve Bracks says he still recalled the day his chief of staff Tim Pallas had upset then Attorney-General Rob Hulls by trying to poach Ms Garrett from his office.

“’He (Mr Hulls) said she is the smartest, most politically savvy, Labor lawyer he’s come across and he needs her in his office,” he said.

Victorian MPs Martin Pakula and Martin Foley at the state memorial service. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Former rail, tram and bus union leader Luba Grigorovitch said Ms Garrett’s love for humanity was ‘infectious’. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Musician and close personal friend of Ms Garrett, Tim Rogers, performed at the service. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Jane joined my office. I’m not sure if Rob has forgiven me, I know he hasn’t forgiven Tim.”

Mr Bracks said some of Ms Garrett’s legacies from that time included her help restoring the powers of democratic institutions, getting extra police on the streets, introducing fixed four year terms of state parliament and modernising the courts.

“Jane knew the secret to a meaningful, profound life is to grasp every opportunity to make the world a better place,” he said.

“She lives on in the social justice reforms she helped deliver for Victoria and, most importantly, she lives on in Molly, Sasha and Max.”

Representatives from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union also attended. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Bill Shorten, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, at the state memorial service. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A floral tribute at the state memorial service for former Victorian MP Jane Garrett at the Brunswick Town Hall. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Once viewed as a future premier in the making, Ms Garrett spent months in the public eye during a bitter pay deal dispute involving the fire services and the Andrews Government.

She resigned as emergency services minister when she could not support the state’s plan to end the deadlock.

Former public transport union boss, and aspiring Labor MP, Luba Grigorovitch said Ms Garrett fought hard in the rough and tumble of politics but remained honest.

She said her friend and mentor also took it upon herself to foster the development of women

“What you saw was what you got,” Ms Grigorovitch said.

“The political world of the Australian Labor Party, and politics in general. It is not for the faint hearted.

“Jane would play tough but there was vulnerability and there was gentleness in her politics too.

“She always knew how to have a good laugh about it.”

“She was held in incredibly high regard and affection by a community that recognised integrity and courage when they saw it.”