Four-time Olympic gold medallist Betty Cuthbert has been remembered as an "extraordinary" woman who helped define post war Australia.
Days after her private funeral in Western Australia, Cuthbert was farewelled in her home town with a state memorial service at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday
Tributes to the champion sprinter were led by her good friend, broadcaster Alan Jones, and included speeches by family and colleagues as well as Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce who described her as an "icon".
"Betty will always be part of the iconography of what makes this nation," Mr Joyce said.
"She embodies the essence of an incredibly decent human being."
Mr Joyce said her feats from 1956 to 1964 help shaped Australia's identity.
"She was the girl who exemplified the enthusiasm of the post second world war suburban sprawl," he said
"The lady who came with the hills hoist, the backyard, the cricket, the kids, the enthusiasm of that nation that was growing and finding itself and finding champions to stand behind."
Cuthbert's twin sister, Marie Johnston, appeared tearful as she watched a montage of her sister's achievements and family photographs displayed during the service.
Also in attendance were former athletic colleagues Norma Fleming and Marlene Mathews, as well as Cuthbert's nephew, Peter Johnston, who paid an emotional tribute to his "Aunty Bett".
"Despite all her success she remained a humble girl from Ermington," Mr Johnston said.
"She'll always be remembered for her dignity and grace for the many years after her Olympic success."
Australia's "golden girl" who won three gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and another in Tokyo eight years later, died aged 79 on August 6, after living with multiple sclerosis for almost 50 years.
She won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay treble in Melbourne and after a brief retirement, claimed the 400m title in Tokyo.
Her feat of winning Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m remains unmatched.
Jones delivered a eulogy for Cuthbert describing her as a "great Australian and a beautiful person".
"Betty today we honour you with the same depth of emotion in which we have always loved you," the broadcaster said.
Between 1978 and 1980 Cuthbert was made the first female trustee of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust.
Share
