A memorial service has been held for former Victorian government minister Jane Garrett, who died earlier this year at the age of 49.
Ms Garrett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and died in July this year, after announcing in 2021 that she would leave parliament at the next election.
The memorial service for the former emergency services minister was held at the Brunswick Town Hall, in Ms Garrett's former state electorate of Brunswick.
Prior to entering parliament in 2010, Ms Garrett had worked as an adviser to then-premier Steve Bracks, a lawyer at Slater and Gordon, and a City of Yarra councillor and mayor.
Mr Bracks said Ms Garrett thrived in the "pressure-cooker environment" of state politics.
"A brilliant mind, principled, compassionate, courageous, and she had the best sense of humour and the best laugh," he said.
"She lived and breathed politics."
Former Labor MP for Wendouree, Sharon Knight, said Ms Garrett was a close friend who stayed strong "even when she was consumed by fear".
"If you were lucky enough to be loved by Jane, then you were very lucky indeed," she says.
Ms Knight recalls how her friend would always ask her: "So, Shaz, what do you think?"
She says Jane Garrett was always among the most active of her colleagues, her days filled with work for her constituents.
Union figures pay tribute to 'rock star' MP
Former Victorian secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Luba Grigorovitch, paid tribute to Ms Garrett's generosity.
"Jane had this ability to instantly make you feel as though you were part of the family … Jane was a rock star," she said.
"She was incredibly inclusive and generous … and she always saw the best in people."
Ms Grigorovitch was a volunteer in Ms Garrett's 2010 campaign for the seat of Brunswick, and will run as a candidate for Labor herself in the upcoming November election.
She said she will miss the "honest, straight talking" feedback Jane Garrett offered.
"With Jane, what you saw was what you got, and that can be so rare in political life," she said.
Musician Tim Rogers recalled meeting a teenaged Jane Garrett and being struck by her "million megawatt smile".
"I had an inkling that she was someone to be watched forever, to be respected and never to be crossed," he said.
Mr Rogers performed the song Heavy Heart from his band You Am I as part of the service.
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2022-09-02 02:54:00Z
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