Former Vic minister farewelled

Mourners have gathered to farewell former Victorian government minister Lynne Kosky under sunny skies in Melbourne.

Ms Kosky, 56, died last Thursday at her Williamstown home after a long battle with breast cancer.

Williamstown Town Hall was the venue on Friday for a state funeral for the former senior minister in the Bracks and Brumby Labor governments.

Premier Daniel Andrews and former Premier Steve Bracks were among those who attended.

Mr Andrews earlier told reporters Ms Kosky had great courage and character.

"She's an amazing person, a formidable person," he said on Friday.

"Someone who leaves this place better for her contribution to public life.

"I do hope that each and every one of those who miss her and grieve her loss so profoundly take some comfort in the knowledge that we loved her, we miss her and Victoria is a better place for the contribution she made."

Ms Kosky held the lower house seat of Altona from 1996 until her resignation in 2010, and oversaw the finance, education, public transport and arts portfolios.

She was later an adviser to the Victoria University Vice-Chancellor among other roles.

Ms Kosky is survived by her husband Jim Williamson, her daughter Hana and son Jackson.