‘Supreme politician, completely loyal’: Nicholas Shehadie farewelled at state funeral
Former PM Bob Hawke was among a roll call of political leaders who turned out to the state funeral to farewell Nicholas Shehadie.
Nicholas Shehadie was remembered today as a “supreme politician”, “completely loyal” and gifted with a “common touch” when he was farewelled during a state funeral at Sydney’s St James Church.
The former Sydney Lord Mayor and Rugby Union international, who died on February 11, aged 92, was given a stirring send-off at a service attended by former prime ministers, present and past state premiers, governors, and a big slice of Sydney’s public life.
At a service so large that extra seating and a screen was needed in the open space dividing the historical church and NSW Supreme Court building, mourners were regaled with tales of Shehadie’s remarkablesocial skills that served him well in a lengthy career that included top positions with the Sydney Cricket Ground and SBS.
Shehadie’s wife, former NSW governor Marie Bashir, sat at the front of the congregation with the families of their two daughters and son.
Rodney Cavalier, who served with Shehadie at the SCG, said Shehadie was a “legend who was filled with presence — he was everything you’d heard about him and more”.
Today’s state funeral, offered to the Shehadie family by NSW Premier Gladys Berrejiklian, was a roll call of leading political figures and others who had featured prominently in the life of Shehadie, who was knighted in 1976.
They included John Howard, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Ms Berejiklian and her predecessors Mike Baird, Barry O’Farrell, Kristina Keneally, Morris Iemma, John Fahey, Nick Greiner and Barrie Unsworth.
Also prominent in the congregation were NSW Governor David Hurley, former Governor General Quentin Bryce, serving Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Alan Jones and Dawn Fraser.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who is overseas, was represented by defence minister Marise Payne.
Mourners also included Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne and several Wallaby greats including Phil Waugh, Nick Farr Jones and Mark Ella.
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