Jacki Weaver Brings Warmth and Wit to Derryn Hinch’s State Funeral in Emotional Farewell

Jacki Weaver delivered one of the most memorable tributes at Derryn Hinch’s state funeral, blending gentle humour with a deeply personal farewell to the former husband she continued to love as a close friend.

Although filming commitments in Western Australia prevented the acclaimed Australian actress from attending the service in Melbourne, Weaver recorded a message honouring the broadcaster’s complicated, colourful and often headline-making life.

Her tribute acknowledged not only the years they had shared, but also the many women who had played an important part in Hinch’s life — a subject she approached with characteristic warmth and wit.

A Loving Joke About Hinch’s Famous Romances

Hinch married four times and became almost as well known for his romantic life as he was for his outspoken broadcasting career.

Weaver, his third wife, opened her recorded tribute by greeting all the women Hinch had loved and who had loved him in return.

Rather than naming them individually, she joked that the service simply did not have enough time, before borrowing the famous Jaws reference about needing “a bigger boat”.

The affectionate joke drew attention to a well-documented part of Hinch’s life without overshadowing the genuine bond Weaver shared with him.

His most recent partner, former actress and activist Lynda Stoner, was among the mourners gathered at the Timber Yard event space in Port Melbourne.

Weaver Remembers the Man Behind the Public Persona

Weaver also shared a message from her son Dylan, who recalled his first impressions of the man who would become his stepfather.

As a 10-year-old, Dylan remembered Hinch’s unmistakable style: beige trousers, loafers, an open silk shirt, gold chains and a navy blazer completed with his signature red rose.

Behind that flamboyant appearance, Weaver said Hinch had taught her lasting lessons about honesty, integrity and the importance of defending what she believed was right.

She remembered him as intelligent, passionate, cheerful and loving, while also acknowledging that he could be stubborn, frustrating and difficult.

It was an honest portrait of a man whose strongest qualities and greatest flaws were often inseparable — both publicly and privately.

An Emotional Final Message

Weaver and Hinch remained close friends long after their marriage ended. He had even sent her a text message on the night of his passing.

As her tribute reached its conclusion, Weaver struggled to hold back tears while addressing him by the affectionate nickname “Jobie”.

“Good night, sweet dreams. I love you forever,” she said in her final farewell.

The moment became one of the most emotional parts of the service, revealing the enduring affection that had remained between them despite the many chapters their lives had taken.

Australian Media Figures Gather to Say Goodbye

Hundreds of mourners attended the state funeral, including some of the most recognisable figures in Australian television, radio and entertainment.

Ray Martin, Jennifer Keyte, Rhonda Burchmore, Denis Walter, Steve Vizard, Greg Evans and former Crown executive Ann Peacock were among those who gathered to honour Hinch.

His goddaughter Ellie O’Connell performed the Australian national anthem, while Burchmore sang the jazz standard They Can’t Take That Away From Me in memory of her long-time friend.

The Australian flag covered Hinch’s casket, which was surrounded by red roses representing love, courage, respect and lasting affection.

The non-religious venue reflected Hinch’s lifelong atheism, while also providing a setting that felt unmistakably personal to the veteran broadcaster.

Friends Recall a Life Filled With Headlines

Former colleagues and rivals remembered Hinch as a man driven by journalism, public attention, romance and a famously complicated relationship with alcohol.

His former television producer Dermot O’Brien recalled that Hinch had openly written about the passions that brought both excitement and trouble into his life.

Long-time friend Darren James reflected on the extraordinary number of roles Hinch had occupied — newspaper reporter, broadcaster, author, senator, godfather and prisoner.

“Some people pass through life without leaving a ripple, he created tsunamis,” James told mourners.

Former 3AW colleagues Denis O’Kane and Tony Tardio also paid tribute to Hinch’s fierce opposition to child abuse and those who protected offenders.

Tardio described him as a kind of “journalistic James Bond”, noting that controversy and drama seemed to follow him everywhere — even into his marriages.

A Final Sign-Off That Felt Entirely His Own

The service concluded with a standing ovation before Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life played through the venue.

The song had long been associated with Hinch, who regularly used it as the closing theme for his radio program.

Born in New Zealand, Hinch moved to Australia to pursue journalism and eventually became editor of The Sun. He later built a decades-long career in radio and television before entering federal politics as a senator.

His outspoken opinions, legal battles and willingness to provoke debate earned him the enduring nickname “the Human Headline”.

Hinch passed away in his sleep on July 10 at the age of 82 following a lengthy period of health challenges.

His passing prompted tributes from figures across Australian politics, media and entertainment — but at his state funeral, it was the deeply personal memories, affectionate jokes and Weaver’s final words that revealed the man behind the headlines.