27 May 2011

State Funeral for Jim Murphy? [With poll]

27 May 2011 | johnboy

There’s a bit of a push gaining traction on talkback radio to have a state funeral for Jim Murphy who passed away yesterday.

Somewhat akin to Canberra’s very own Kerry Packer, is this something you’d support?

Should the taxpayer cough up for the memory of society’s most wealthy?

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Goddess5:46 pm 29 May 11

Can’t his family afford the funeral?

I-filed5:34 pm 28 May 11

People who make a buck are supposed to support charities, and put money and energy into the community. We can’t hold a state funeral for every citizen who makes a contribution …. and degree of wealth shouldn’t be the marker.

Innovation10:54 am 28 May 11

I must admit that I had no idea about the extent of his philanthropic and social contributions until this last week. I only ever noticed him on the TV ads and in the society pages. Obviously a very quiet but impressive achiever and a very lovely and kind hearted man.

Personally, I don’t support State funerals except for very exceptional cases. And it sounds like this wouldn’t have been the sort of thing that he would have wanted anyway.

The Frots8:47 am 28 May 11

duchess said :

I am Jim’s niece, Wendy Murphy.. Jim was a loving, generous, outgoing man but still very humble. He got where he was by sheer hard work and determination and huge support from his wife Margaret and their sons Damien and Adrian. He gave so much to the community he loved and expected little in return. It’s just my point of view but I don’t think he would WANT a state funeral. I can hear him say “Who, me?”

I didn’t know him nor had I ever met him – but please accept our condolences from the Frots for your loss. From reading about him, he did contribute heavily to Canberra and was considered a warm, caring man by many.

johnboy7:55 am 28 May 11

breda said :

Low blow, JB, in what way was he like Kerry Packer?

Condolences to the family.

Whether the government gets involved in his funeral or not, it will be a big event. The after-parties/memorial services should go down in history as a tribute to a man who loved life and loved Canberra.

Actually it was intended as a compliment.

Shrewd businessman, philanthropist, interested in politics, I could go on.

duchess2:54 am 28 May 11

bjnetzone said :

schmeah said :

No! No! No!

publically funded funerals should be reserved for someone who actually made a postive contribution to Canberra life .. that said, Bjelke Peterson got one in QLD .. but I must add, that went down like a lead balloon.

Jim made more of a contribution to Canberra than you ever will, schmeah. Back in your box. Chaz, how about you comment when you know what the hell you’re talking about, and give us all a break.
Wendy (duchess), please accept our deepest condolences. I was honoured to know Jim – one of the kindest, nicest and most charitable people I will ever know.

Thank you. Those two words typed can’t convey how much my Dad, Mum, sisters and brother and I appreciate the kind words here.

breda1:18 am 28 May 11

Low blow, JB, in what way was he like Kerry Packer?

Condolences to the family.

Whether the government gets involved in his funeral or not, it will be a big event. The after-parties/memorial services should go down in history as a tribute to a man who loved life and loved Canberra.

cleo11:45 pm 27 May 11

I didn’t know him, apart from the adds on TV, but today I was having a massage, and the person who I gave me my massage told me about how much he had done for Canberra.
Please except my condolences.

vg9:11 pm 27 May 11

A lot of people whose lives will amount to nought having ill-informed opinions. The guy just passed, show a shred of decorum FFS.

Good, bad or indifferent, his contribution to life here should not be forgotten

Primal9:01 pm 27 May 11

Frankly I’m not much of a fan of state funerals for anyone…

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