Aussie entertainment stars gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Friday to attend the public memorial of ABC star James Valentine. Valentine died in April, aged 64, following a two-year cancer battle.
Celebrity Arrivals
TV presenter Gretel Killeen led the celebrity arrivals, making a rare public appearance as she celebrated the life of the late entertainment veteran. The former Big Brother star, 63, who hosted the series from 2001 to 2007, wore her natural grey hair down as she dressed in a black cardigan for the memorial.
She was followed closely by Julia Morris, who looked particularly downcast as she joined mourners. The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host, 58, rugged up in a black coat to keep away the biting cold, and kept her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses.
More Attendees
Kirk Pengilly could be seen lost in conversation with a fellow attendee. The INXS bandmember, 67, wore a navy paisley button-up beneath a matching sports coat and slipped on his usual black frames.
Elsewhere, fellow ABC star Hamish Macdonald also made an appearance, stepping out in a black trench coat. Mourners could be seen lining the street to pay their respects to Valentine, who was a pillar of the entertainment industry for almost 40 years.
The Devil's Playground star Simon Burke was spotted among the attendees, along with Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas and Independent MP Allegra Spender.
Valentine's Passing
Valentine died at home in Sydney on April 22, using voluntary assisted dying. 'James passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family, who adored him,' Valentine's family said in a statement last month. 'Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end when he made the choice to do Voluntary Assisted Dying. Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms. He was calm, dignified as always and somehow still making us laugh.'
Valentine, who hosted ABC radio and television shows for almost four decades, is survived by his wife, Joanne, and his children, Ruby and Roy. He announced in March 2024 that he had oesophageal cancer and took leave from the broadcaster to receive treatment. Valentine later returned to 702 ABC but has been off air since June last year after new tumours were discovered in his abdomen.
The entertainment veteran announced his retirement in February to focus on ongoing treatment. 'I could ask callers to make stuff up, to invent stories, to go with any sort of fanciful notion of the city that we had going on,' Valentine said. 'What a huge buzz of enjoyment I got when you called in, in response to something I'd suggest.'
Tributes and Legacy
He has been hailed by the national broadcaster as 'more than a presenter'. 'He has been a trusted companion for so many people, part of the rhythm of everyday life for generations of our Sydney audience,' ABC managing director Hugh Marks said. 'James brought warmth, wit, and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft. His style was never about confrontation or noise - it was always about connection.'
Valentine's death came just days after he was presented with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Governor-General Sam Mostyn recently approved the appointment and presented it to Valentine's children last weekend so they could give it to him privately. 'We were able to work very, very quickly. I knew how sick James was, and working with his family, we were able to have the medal struck and engraved with his name,' she told ABC Radio. 'I was able to present it to Ruby and Roy at Admiralty House on Saturday, so it could be given to James quietly and privately, with his family, so that he knew the community in Australia regarded him as someone who truly belonged on the honours roll.'
