Tears and much laughter have accompanied the state funeral of beloved Elder Uncle Jack Charles.
The renaissance man was in Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Tuesday before family, friends, politicians and other mourners.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Uncle Jack's niece Ajia Jackson Charles-Hamilton gave an emotional tribute to his many achievements, and also the simple joys he brought his family and many others.
"It's great to see so many people here to honour Uncle Jack, and know that people are watching... elsewhere, including in prisons."
"We are so thankful for the many messages we have received and the outpouring of appreciation that the public has shown.
"He'd be tickled by that," she told the audience.
"Aside from his immense talent, he was a wise and respected Elder, and a generous person. It was impossible to speak with Jack without seeing the twinkle in his eye... and getting caught up in his enthusiasm."
Ajia Charles-Hamilton spoke of her Uncle's broader public legacy, and the personal warmth he showed to his family and many other people in his life.
A fitting farewell
The pomp of a state funeral, given in honour of the Boon Wurrung Dja Dja Wurrung Woiwurrung Yorta Yorta man's many achievements, is a far cry from .
His achievements, including founding the Blak theatre scene, his tireless advocacy for incarcerated youth, and becoming one of the country's most recognisable personalities, were lauded as all the more impressive given those obstacles.
Guests were cleansed in a smoking ceremony before the service, which saw speeches from both relatives and politicians. Some of Blak music's best artists also gave the event an artistic flair befitting the farewell of a cultural icon.
Particularly poignant was the performance by Uncle Kutcha Edwards of a song he wrote for Charles, the lyrics reflecting both the beauty and pain of his life that Uncle Jack spoke about freely.
Preceding the performance, Edwards tearfully related the story of discovering his relationship to the Charles siblings,
"I [had] known them for 35 years. I never knew how closely related we were.
"He's called me 'My big cousin Kutcha' ever since!" he said to raucous laughter.
Uncle Kutcha Edwards was moved to tears speaking of the trials and triumphs of his friend and cousin.
The late Elder was a director on the board of the Archie Roach foundation, along with the singer himself before his .
In that role he paid many visits to incarcerated youth, using his own experience with the carceral system to give them hope and guidance.
That resilience, displayed repeatedly throughout his life, was a source of comfort and strength for many who had experienced similar traumas.
Talgium Chocko Howard Edwards pays his respects at the coffin of Jack Charles at Hamer Hall. Credit: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
Instead, he told those sad stories, and many happy ones beside them, with a grace and warmth that invited people to listen and learn.
One of his final acts was to appear before Victoria's Yorrook Justice Commission, the truth-telling initiative examining the state's historic injustices towards First Nations people.
this year with one of the country's highest honours, the NAIDOC Elder of the Year Award.
