Rising Labor star Sarah Carter farewelled at moving funeral service in Melbourne

Rising Labor star and three-time mayor of Maribyrnong Sarah Carter is being remembered as a ‘force of nature’ after her untimely death.

Hundreds of family, friends and community members gathered at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Friday to say goodbye to the much-loved 45-year-old.

She is believed to have died earlier this month from a brain aneurysm, days after returning from a trip abroad.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that her partner, Melbourne pilot Nikhil Roy, found her body at home after she failed to pick him up at the airport as planned.

The couple had planned a trip to Europe.

In an emotional speech at her funeral on Friday, her mother Gaynor paid tribute to her “best friend”, whom she described as an “intelligent, vibrant and caring woman” and a “force of nature” who wanted to change people’s lives for the better.

“When I think of what Sarah accomplished in her short life, my heart swells with pride. She accomplished more in 45 years than some people do in a lifetime,” her mother told the crowd.

Mrs Carter’s father David said the “overwhelming loss” of his daughter had been “unbearable” and said her family were struggling to come to terms with her death.

Despite the tragic circumstances, Carter felt “immensely proud” as he reflected on his daughter’s life, which was “marked by unwavering dedication, compassion and a fierce commitment to making the world a better place.”

“If she had had the chance, she would undoubtedly have achieved much more and touched many more lives,” her father said in a tribute written by her sister Caroline.

“Sarah’s impact was immense and was felt by the people she worked with, the people she helped, and the people who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten was among those who said goodbye to Ms Carter at a funeral service at Flemington Racecourse on Friday

Mrs Carter’s coffin is seen draped over it with an AFL Hawthorn Hawks team scarf

Hundreds of family, friends and community members gathered at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Friday to say goodbye to the beloved 45-year-old

Mrs Carter’s sister Carolyn read a tribute on behalf of their father David

Mrs Carter was the first woman to be elected Mayor of Maribyrnong three times and has received several awards for her contributions to the local community.

The councillor, who was in her fourth term, is remembered as a pioneering local politician who was a “role model” and “an inspiration to girls and young women in the community”.

Her coffin was covered with flowers, including white lilies and red and pink roses.

Scarves from the AFL team Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs also hung above her coffin.

In lieu of flowers, relatives were asked to make a donation to Save The Children on behalf of Mrs Carter, who they considered her ‘life’s work’.

Mrs Carter has travelled to Fiji, Jordan, Lebanon, Cambodia and Indonesia to help disadvantaged communities as part of her work with the charity.

Political heavyweights flocked to the racecourse on Friday afternoon, including former Labor Party leader Bill Shorten and Nationals MP Michael McCormack.

Ms Carter was found dead in her home in Melbourne’s west on August 6. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

It seems that she suddenly suffered a medical attack and was found by her partner Nikhil Roy.

“She helped me believe in love, true and unconditional love, a life worth living,” he said during the funeral service.

‘I didn’t know it, but our journey would be full of adventure, dedication and sacrifice.

“The time we spent together was the happiest time of my life… she was my home.”

Ms Carter was found dead in her inner Melbourne home on August 6. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

Scarves from AFL team Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs also hung over her coffin

A bouquet of flowers was donated by the Footscray Markets for Mrs Carter’s funeral service