A host of former prime ministers and premiers have crammed into a colonial-era church to farewell Dame Marie Bashir, a revered psychiatrist and the first female governor of NSW.
She died aged 95 on January 20, prompting widespread praise for her life of faithful service to the community.
Former prime ministers John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison were among those paying their respects at St James Anglican Church in central Sydney on Wednesday.
A flock of NSW premiers were also present, including current state leader Chris Minns and those who served under Dame Marie's governorship: Bob Carr, Nathan Rees, Kristina Keneally and Barry O'Farrell.
Anthony Albanese was represented by Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, while serving NSW governor Margaret Beazley joined Australia's governor-general Sam Mostyn in the packed church.
Lebanon's ambassador to Australia Mima Khawly also attended in an acknowledgement of Dame Marie's heritage.
She was born to a Lebanese father and a mother of Lebanese descent in Narrandera, a town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, before rising through the state health ranks and eventually assuming its highest ceremonial office.
Mr Minns reflected on Dame Marie's ascension to the governorship, saying she was initially "awestruck" and doubted her suitability for the role in 2001.
"This was the oldest public office in Australia, held by the likes of Arthur Phillip and Lachlan Macquarie ... she would be the first woman to hold the office and the first person of Lebanese descent," he told parliament on Tuesday.
"I'm told, she then reflected on what her mother would have said if she'd known that Dame Marie would get this offer, and the answer was, 'pull your socks up and do it for the people'."
Her retirement from the role in 2014 was similarly humble, quitting before she claimed the title of NSW's longest-serving governor from war hero and Victoria Cross recipient Roden Cutler.
"This was not someone who served for fame or public recognition, for the honours or the awards," Mr Minns said.
She worked at two Sydney hospitals, moved into general practice, then switched to specialise in psychiatry, where she drove mental health reform including establishing psychiatric services for young people and taking a clinical professorship at the University of Sydney.
Dame Marie was the wife of former Sydney lord mayor and legendary Wallabies captain Sir Nicholas Shehadie, who died in 2018.
A flyover by the Rural Fire Service waterbomber, the Marie Bashir, is expected over Sydney when the former governor's hearse leaves the church.
