Derryn Hinch farewelled at Port Melbourne State funeral honouring media legacy

Veteran broadcaster Derryn Hinch is being farewelled at a State funeral on Monday, honouring his incredible contribution to Australian media and politics.

Hinch – known as the Human Headline – died on Friday, July 10, aged 82.

His funeral is being held at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne, with long-time friend Darren James acting as master of ceremonies and Ray Martin delivering the eulogy.

One of Hinch’s former flames, actress and animal activist Lynda Stoner, was one of the early arrrivals.

Among other famous mourners was singer and dancer Rhonda Burchmore, talkshow host and comedian Steve Vizard, Perfect Match host Greg Evans and singer and 3AW colleague Denis Walter.

“Got his wish”

In a post on his Facebook page announcing his death, his executive assistant Annette wrote Hinch “got his wish and passed away in his own bed”.

“To every one of his online friends and followers he loved the interaction and looked forward to every post. As he would say, ‘That’s Life’,” she wrote.

Just two days before his death, Hinch posted a picture of himself as a young reporter.

“Going through my old files, I still think this is my best ever pic as a cocky young Police Rounds reporter on the Sydney Sun,” he posted on July 8.

After a successful career in media – including a three-decade stint on Melbourne station 3AW – Hinch turned his hand to politics.

He formed his own party, the Derryn Hinch Justice Party, and was elected to the Australian senate in 2016, which he held for three years.

Anthony Albanese led the tributes for Hinch, saying he “lived a life rich in colour and free from fear”.

“As an interviewer, investigator and presenter he was much more than ‘the Human Headline’ he had a sense of the deeper story and the courage to cover it, come what may,” the Prime Minister said.

“He held to those same instincts as a Senator and he fought illness with that same bravery.”.

More to come