State Funeral Service for Shirley de la Hunty nee Strickland AO MBE

19/2/04
The many admirers of Shirley de la Hunty will be able to gather to celebrate an extraordinary life after the Olympic star's family accepted an offer of a State Funeral Service from Premier Geoff Gallop.
The Premier said he recognised the exceptional nature of Mrs de la Hunty's achievements and her life long contribution to her home state, and used his discretion to extend the offer.
Mrs de la Hunty's family said they were proud to accept this honour of behalf of their mother.
"We are deeply touched by the many people who have offered their condolences to our family on our loss of our mother," Matthew, David, Barbara and Phillip de la Hunty said in a statement.
"We are deeply grateful for the flood of heartfelt offers of support, and profoundly humbled by the magnitude of the numbers of people who have come forward to acknowledge the positive influence she had on their lives.
"Shirley was a woman of great humility and while respecting her wish for a private service, we also recognise the need for a wider, public funeral to permit her many friends and supporters to pay their respects and give a voice to their grief.
"As her children, we love her, and we miss her dearly. She was our mum. But we recognise that she was not ours alone to love. She was an inspiration to all Australians, and was a part of so many people's lives that we believe all who cared for her as we did should be allowed to mourn her."
The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 27. Further details will be announced soon.
Premier's office: 9222 9475