More than 100 cyclists wound their way through Melbourne’s bike lanes toward the city centre, while friends of Tim Read watching from the roadside summed up the scene in a single sentiment.
‘That’s what Tim would’ve done.’
Many still vividly remember the Victorian Greens MP arriving by bicycle, beaming with enthusiasm at climate rallies and community meetings. Greens leader Ellen Sandell is among those who carry that image with them.
She joined more than 500 mourners at Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday to honour the life of the late Brunswick MP at a state memorial service.
‘Tim was, to us, Mr Integrity,’ Ms Sandell told the gathering.
‘He was fundamentally decent and he made others want to be decent too.’
Dignitaries, family members, friends and constituents filled the hall, many wearing shades of green to remember the respected doctor, researcher and two-term parliamentarian.
Dr Read died on September 19 with his family by his side after a public battle with metastatic skin cancer. The disease had spread quietly from a melanoma removed six or seven years earlier.
Victorian Greens MP Tim Read (above) has been farewelled following his cancer battle
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson (right) arrives at Melbourne Town Hall for Tim Read’s state memorial service
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll attends the memorial service
‘He spent his final weeks surrounded by his beloved family at home, showered with visitors, overlooking the garden that was being rebuilt, determined to see it complete,’ former Greens MP and master of ceremonies Samantha Ratnam told mourners.
The breadth of Dr Read’s influence was reflected in the cross-party attendance, with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and Nationals leader Danny O’Brien among the parliamentary figures present. He was 64.
Before making history in 2018 as Brunswick’s first non-Labor state representative, Dr Read worked as a GP and medical researcher focused on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections.
He publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in January and said he would not seek re-election at the November state poll.
His son Martin joked that his father would have been ‘appalled at the fuss we are making’ before offering a heartfelt tribute to the man he called ‘Brunswick’s dad’.
‘He was a great dad and we have the absolute privilege of being able to share that with everyone else here who has a Tim Read story, because he was a dad to many – he was Brunswick’s dad,’ Martin said.
‘I’m also sure he would’ve expected all of you to have brought your bike or caught the tram here.’
Dr Read’s sister, Ursula, also shared memories of their Melbourne childhood and recalled how her older brother introduced her to Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd.
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His sister Ursula Read delivers a touching tribute recalling his love of classic 1960s rock
More than 100 smiling cyclists meandered along bike lanes to the heart of Melbourne’s city centre in a tribute to the MP
Victoria Greens leader Ellen Sandell (above) remembered Dr Read as ‘Mr Integrity’, saying: ‘He was fundamentally decent and he made others want to be decent too’
Ms Read described her brother’s boundless intelligence and brief foray from medicine to journalism, where he worked as a cadet for The Age.
‘I would tell people, ‘Tim doesn’t want to be a health reporter, he’s going to change the world’,’ Ms Read said.
‘I’m greatly comforted that Tim did get his chance to change the world.
‘He would be happy with this legacy.’
Mr Carroll remembered Dr Read as a man of principle, compassion, intellect and integrity.
‘Tim stood for what he believed in and he never sat down,’ Mr Carroll said.
‘His advocacy helped make Victoria a better place.’
Within the walls of Spring Street, the Brunswick MP was best remembered as an advocate for transparency, leading the parliament’s landmark Integrity and Oversight Committee that helped strengthen Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog.
Dr Read’s son, Martin (above), referred to his father as ‘Brunwick’s dad’
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell (left) and former leader Samantha Ratnam (right) outside Town Hall
More than 500 people packed into Melbourne’s Town Hall for the service
His advocacy work in parliament led to public health reforms including pill testing, the abolition of public drunkenness laws, allowing gay men to donate blood and a statutory ban on solitary confinement in prisons.
‘Many of these reforms will not carry his name, but his fingerprints are all over them,’ Ms Sandell said.
Dr Read is survived by his wife Angela, children Louisa and Martin, his mother and two sisters.
Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides and Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’, performed by the Keytones Choir, closed out the 90-minute service.