Bob Ellis remembered as Australian literary giant
Writer Bob Ellis has died at age 73. AAP
Australian writer and commentator Bob Ellis has been remembered as a literary giant who lived his remarkable life to its absolute fullest.
Friends and family, including several prominent Australians, gathered to say their last goodbyes to the late playwright and political speechwriter at an emotional funeral service in Sydney on Saturday.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who described his close working relationship with Ellis, was among the mourners to address the ceremony.
"(He was a) remarkable man who wrung every last drop from life," Mr Shorten said.
"I stand here as a friend who will miss him very much."
Ellis died surrounded by family in Sydney last Sunday after battling liver cancer.
Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann described him as an incomparable writer and a great Australian character.
No one who know him would ever forget him, Mr Rann said.
Ellis's best friend and collaborator Stephen Ramsay said Ellis lived his life by the guiding principle of "seize the day".
Hundreds of mourners, including former MP Craig Thomson, former NSW premier Nathan Rees, comedians Rhys Muldoon and John Doyle, former union boss Paul Howes and sports writer Roy Masters, have been paying their respects at an outdoor ceremony in Frenchs Forest on Saturday.
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