Barry Humphries’ son Oscar says Sydney state memorial is no ‘snub’ to Melbourne

Barry Humphries’ son Oscar says his family is honoured to accept a state memorial in Sydney, after the comedic genius died at age 89. 

The memorial will take place in Sydney, after the Victorian government also offered  to host the event.

Oscar, 42, told The Australian on Thursday media speculation that the family chose Sydney over Melbourne as a ‘snub’ was wrong, despite Humphries being born in a posh Melbourne suburb.

‘The two offers of a state memorial were a wonderful honour for my father and received with much gratitude,’ he told the publication.

‘It is such an honour and a touching recognition of his contribution to Australian culture and what he meant to so many people.’

Humphries, who was born in Kew in 1934, lived in London, but made a home in Sydney over the last few decades as well.

Oscar, a journalist and art dealer, is the son of Humphries and the comedian’s third wife Diane Millstead, who he married in 1979 and divorced in 1989. 

Famed for his comedy characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Les Patterson, Humphries had a career spanning six decades.

The star of stage and screen reportedly fought a secret battle with inoperable cancer for years before his death last month. 

He died aged 89 on April 22, following complications from a recent hip replacement surgery.

In late April, Humphries was farewelled at a private funeral by family and friends, who made last-minute arrangements to be there after being only given 24 hours’ notice. 

The private ceremony was held at the Bowral estate of his long-time friend and artist Tim Storrier on Friday in the NSW Southern Highlands. 

‘It was a small affair, just family and close friends,’ the film director Bruce Beresford said.

Beresford, 82, made the classic Aussie comedy The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972), which starred Humphries.

Also at the ceremony were Humphries’ sons Oscar and Rupert, who flew in from London, as well as his daughters Emily and Tessa, brother Christopher and sister Barbara.

Beresford said no speeches were made, but excerpts from some of Humphries’ favourite poems were read, including three verses from his favourite poem, The Heart of a Friend by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

‘It was very touching, very warm. Everybody was either ­related or a great friend of Barry’s,’ Beresford said.