
Dame Marie Bashir, who had a pioneering career in public service and psychiatry, was honored with a state funeral in Sydney's central business district.
A ceremony at St James' Church on King Street on Wednesday morning honored the life of the 37th governor of New South Wales, who passed away last month at the age of 95.
A 737 NSW Rural Fire Service Air Tanker, named following Dame Marie, conducted a flyover along Phillip Street as the hearse left the church.
Previous prime ministers Scott Morrison and John Howard, along with several former NSW premiers such as Gladys Berejiklian and Mike Baird, were present.
Among the people inside the church were NSW Premier Chris Minns, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Andrew Bell.
Dame Marie's daughter, Alexandra Shehadie, mentioned that her mother felt a sense of pride in her ties to the NSW countryside.
"Mother was deeply proud of being a girl from the countryside," she remarked.
She was fond of the countryside and admired the strength, ingenuity, and kindness of people and communities in rural areas at Narrandera Public School.
Her family also shared recollections of the previous governor's fondness for Bach and Led Zeppelin.
Granddaughter Francesca mentioned that Marie Bashir's house was filled with unique items, such as a full-sized Penrith Panther sculpture.
Talking about Dame Marie's movie preferences, Ms Shehadie remembered a family trip to watch Stanley Kubrick's 2001 A Space Odyssey.
"We appreciated the candy bar," she mentioned.
Approximately 600 kilometers apart, people in Narrandera viewed the service through a live broadcast.
Approximately 20 individuals occupied the room at Marie Bashir Park, including some who had a personal connection to the former NSW governor.
Local Jan Strong mentioned that she showed humility and elegance during her lengthy life.
I hope individuals will contemplate this beautiful park ... and I'm confident her life will be remembered by many in the years to come.
Born in 1930, Dame Marie was raised in the rural town of Narrandera in New South Wales and later started her medical career at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst.
Her commitment to the mental well-being of young people led to her being awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia, while her passion for Indigenous health took her to remote areas in Central Australia, the Kimberley, and Arnhem Land.
In 2001, former premier Bob Carr suggested that Dame Marie be named the 37th governor of New South Wales due to her kindness and modesty.
Her selection would enable her to overcome obstacles as the first female and the first individual of Lebanese background to take on the position.
Honouring Dame Marie, Mr Carr said to the people present that she "shattered more than one glass ceiling".
"There was an impression that she didn't need to demonstrate anything as the first female government governor, that she naturally took on this prominent position," he stated.
Over the course of her remarkable career, she received over 70 accolades and several honors, such as being awarded Dame of the Order of Australia in 2014 in recognition of her commitment to public service and her efforts in promoting mental health.
Dame Marie is survived by her three children, Michael, Alex, and Susan, who she had with the late Sir Nicholas Shehadie.
She passed away calmly, with her family by her side on January 20.
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