Lament for nation’s greatest satirist and a lost era

We can only fantasise about the reception Barry Humphries will receive when he arrives at the Pearly Gates. Heaven will never be the same. The world has lost a brilliant man, who kept us entertained for years with his extraordinary talent, which even on our darkest days made us smile. We have lost a star, but an even brighter one now shines in the firmament. Vale Barry Humphries and thank you for your gift to amuse the world. “He has found his better seat.”

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW

The best of mates and the best in their respective fields, Bill Leak and Barry Humphries were once described as Australia’s greatest living graphic comedian and Australia’s greatest living stage comedian. Indeed, when Bill died the heartfelt tributes to him filled the entire Letters page. It’s a pretty rare occasion for just one topic to dominate. But these two multi-talented “Aussie besties” are bound to share that distinction too. Bravi. Their inimitable ability to truth-tell through humour will live on.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

In a rotten childhood of alcoholic abuse and bullying at school, one of the few pleasures I had was watching Dame Edna and Sir Les. My home life was horrible, but that wonderful man made it somewhat bearable and gave me something to look forward to. I am truly sad about Humphries and I know he’s going to be missed by the millions he gave so much joy to.

Michael Monroe, Wilson, WA

I was a fan of Barry Humphries from the 1950s when he first appeared on TV. His tales of stunts pulled on suburban trains from station to station in Melbourne were just unbelievable and so hilarious. What a character Barry was! We loved his films, TV performances and live shows, and we loved wearing the slippers that Sandy Stone gave my father-in-law for joining in the fun on stage at Twin Towns many years ago.

John Rowney, Mermaid Beach, Qld

How very sad it is to learn of the passing of Barry Humphries. I can hear Dame Edna saying, “Shhh, it’s just vicious rumour”. Humphries, without any doubt, is our greatest comedian and most successful artistic export. He was also a brilliant writer. Let’s hope that “The Barry Award”, which the woke mob removed, will be rightfully reinvented.

Tim Abrams, Beecroft, NSW

When future historians struggle to define quite how things went off the rails in Victoria during the Cultural Revolution of the Dan Andrews years, they will be able to point to the Melbourne Comedy Festival and say – that was the period when they cancelled Barry Humphries. Rest in peace, Bazza. You were the greatest.

Theo Clark, Freshwater, NSW

The best comedians help us to laugh at ourselves and Barry Humphries was the best of the best. We triply mourn, not only Barry, but Dame Edna and the irrepressible Sir Les. The irony is that Humphries passed away during the unfunny Melbourne Comedy Festival, which had cancelled him. They are not worthy of him.

David Cook, Drummoyne, NSW

Barry Humphries always did have a great sense of timing. In the early 1950s, Aussie families were desperately scrambling to find something to smile about after being shattered by the awful tragedy of WWII. Then the bright prospect of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was being threatened by a lack of accommodation for competing countries. As Melbourne newspapers began running ads asking local families to open their homes to billet visiting athletes in their spare bedrooms, Melbourne housewives rushed to answer the call, and Humphries had an inspiration.

He dressed up in his first comedy sketch as one of these average housewives, billed himself as an “Olympic Hostess”, and the immortal Edna Everage was born.

No one has ever grabbed the essential character, the very essence of inclusive post-war Aussie humour quite like Barry Humphries as Edna.

So it is with impeccable timing that Barry has now chosen to leave us possums on the eve of Anzac Day. With a smile and treasured memories of an uplifting Aussie comedian who made us feel good about ourselves when we most needed it. This was his parting gift to the average Australian.

John Bell, Heidelberg Heights, Vic