A crowd of around 400 mourners gathered to farewell Melbourne’s brightest showgirl, Vivien St James, last week. -œIt was the closest thing to a Judy Garland funeral we’ll ever see, longtime friend Alan Mayberry said.
Those at the funeral included St James’ father, Kerrie Le Gore, Dulcie Du Jour and the stars of Pokeys nightclub, Debra Le Gae, Doug Lucas, Terri Tinsel, Renee Scott and Michelle Tozer.
Sparing no expense, the Greyhound Hotel put on a true Hollywood-style wake after the service, attended by one of St James’ biggest fans, Rhonda Burchmore.
Burchmore, who modelled many of her own outfits on St James’ extravagant gowns, performed Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend and I Am What I Am.
Mayberry said St James’ father was amazed at footage of some of the showgirl’s spectacular performances and loved the shows he had never seen before.
Great friends Paris, Rita Le Coqueater, Tabitha Turlington and Barbra Quicksand spoke at the service from the eulogy written by Alan Mayberry.
What a devistating blow to the Melbourne gay scene this has been. Thanks to The Star for such a fabulous cover & tribute. RIP Viv x
Vivien St James will be long remember in this town, not just for her amazing talent, but mostly for her wonderful heart, terriffic sense of community and beautiful inner kindness.
Thanks Southern Star for being a true community newspaper an putting her on the cover of your last edition. She certainly deserved that status.
No words can describe how beautiful Vivien was both on and away from the stage. She will be missed. xxx
I’d never seen a show or a performer like Vivien St James – ever. I always look back on the night my gay friends too me to see her perform at the Greyhound with immense fondness. I went back on my own many times after that.
…great to hear Vivien got the send off she deserved.
Melbourne has a big hole to fill.
Good to see you guys put Viv on the cover – all in beautiful angelic white. Im going to be holding on to that issue for a long time to come, it was a beautiful tribute.