Jim Molan funeral: Erin Molan gives tribute to father at service at ANZAC Memorial Chapel

Erin Molan has paid an emotional farewell to her ‘hero’ father Jim at a moving funeral for the senator, attended by high-profile personalities. politicians and military dignitaries.

Mourners arrived at St Paul’s ANZAC Memorial Chapel in Canberra on Wednesday morning.

The liberal senator and former Army major general was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 2021.

He died peacefully in the arms of his family on Monday, January 16 at the age of 72.

Addressing the packed service, Sky News presenter Erin praised her father’s devotion to her family, remembering him as “a father we idolized, were inspired by and who was our hero”.

In a brief moment of levity, he recalled the moment the former major general had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“We all ran to the hospital,” he told the crowd.

“I was on the couch, agitated and stoic and the rest (of Senator Molan’s children) were all stoic.

“After a while, my brother Mick came over and put his arm around me and said, ‘Erin, I just want you to know, none of us think you’re trying to do this for yourself.'”

In attendance were Governor General David Hurley, former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and other Liberal leaders.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Defense Personnel Minister Matt Keough were also at the service.

Senator Molan’s casket was carried through military honors as bagpipes played Amazing Grace, and he was followed by his family, who were seen wiping away tears as they approached the chapel.

Erin led the group, dressed in black and carrying her father’s military medals.

Once inside, the Senator’s coffin was guarded by a group of catafalques.

Speaking before the funeral, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she would miss her “dear friend”.

“I have some wonderful memories of Jim and his love for the New South Wales region,” he said.

‘He just got in a car and drove where he needed to, and there are long miles across the patch.

So he was a soldier. He was a senator. He was a soldier for his country in many ways, most recently in the federal parliament.

“He will be missed as a dear friend and a dear colleague and I am honored to be here.”

In a notice announcing his funeral, Senator Molan’s family urged donations to charity in his memory, in lieu of flowers.

Following her death, her loved ones said the loss was “immeasurable.”

“He was many things: soldier, pilot, author, volunteer firefighter and senator,” the statement read.

“Above all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother.

“Our loss is immeasurable, but we are comforted by the memories of a full life lived courageously, dedicated to family and service to the country he loved.”

In his tribute to the senator, Liberal leader Peter Dutton said the nation has lost a “true patriot.”

“Whether you were meeting Jim or meeting him for the first time, you were immediately drawn to him with his warm and engaging quality,” said Mr. Dutton.

‘In turn, you always had Jim’s full attention. He always showed generosity with the opinions of others, even with those with whom he disagreed.’

Senator Molan is survived by his wife Anne, four children and five grandchildren.

Before entering politics, the senator’s military career spanned 40 years and he has been credited as one of the architects of Operation Sovereign Borders, a hardline military-led policy to deter asylum seekers arriving by boat.

He entered parliament in 2017 after Fiona Nash was disqualified for her dual citizenship.

In 2019, he was relegated to the unwinnable fourth position on the liberal Senate ticket, but was later appointed to the occasional vacancy caused by the departure of Arthur Sinodinos.

He was re-elected to the Senate in the 2022 federal elections.