Dorothy, it was in the Land of Oz... Tasmania to be precise... Down there they have lions and tasssie tiggers and iron men... and athiests as Premiers. According to another report at www.news.com.au:
'There has never been a state funeral like it. Held in a concert hall, rather than a cathedral, in a reflection of Bacon's atheism, it rung to his chosen music of Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, the Byrds, Shostakovich and Tom Waits....
In his eulogy, Paul Lennon, who took over as Tasmanian Premier in February after Bacon was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, recalled that his mate loved the North Hobart and Essendon football clubs and "had a healthy dislike of Collingwood and Collingwood supporters [which is proper thinking for a rational Australian - Max].
He said Bacon had left his adopted home - he was originally a Victorian - more confident, more tolerant, more progressive and stronger.
The funeral began to Pink Floyd's On the Turning Away:
"Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night
No more turning away
From the weak and the weary"
Bacon's casket, on the stage, framed by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, was set with flowers: rosemary for remembrance, orchids for his father who loved them and died when Bacon was still a child, Tasmanian blue gum, lavender for cleansing, sage for healing, ivy for continual growth and roses for love.
Bacon's widow, Honey, received a standing ovation. She remembered a man who was always "Just Jim".
....... and so on go the tributes....
Max
