State Memorial Service Draws Political Leaders and Community Members
Close to 1,000 people attended an 85-minute state memorial service for Dr. Tim Read at the Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The late Member for Brunswick died on September 19 at age 64 after a battle with metastatic skin cancer.
Premier Ben Carroll led official tributes to Read. Also present at the service were Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, National Party Leader Danny O’Brien, and Greens Victorian Leader Ellen Sandell.
Read’s family sat in the front row of the service. Attendees included his mother Judith, sisters Angela and Ursula, wife Angela, and children Martin and Louisa.
The crowd also included Greens candidate Adam Pulford, who hopes to retain Read’s seat; Merri-bek councillors Liz Irvin, Jay Iwasaki, and Ellen Svensson; former federal Greens leader Adam Bandt; former Brunswick MP Carlo Carli; and former Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam, who served as Master of Ceremonies.
Several dozen attendees rode bikes into the city to fulfill Read’s wishes.
Tributes Highlight Political Career and Advocacy
Premier Ben Carroll stated that Read was respected across the political spectrum for his principle, compassion, intellect, integrity, decency, and dedication. Carroll noted that Read made history as the first Greens MP elected to Brunswick in 2018.
Carroll highlighted Read’s advocacy for prison reform, blood donation reform, tobacco licencing, and strengthened anti-corruption laws passed days after his death. The Premier quoted Read’s definition of politics as "hope in motion."
Ellen Sandell described Read as a brilliant local MP who fixed local issues with passion and curiosity. She cited results including frequent bus services, slower speed limits, safer streets, more funding for Ceres, and a Sydney Road street festival.
Sandell characterized Read as embodying Brunswick through his bike riding, Italian speaking, veggie growing, climate activism, and wearing a hi-vis vest to protests.
Family Remembers Personal Legacy
Read’s younger sister Ursula said Tim had become her best friend after she moved into his Parkville share house while at university in the 1980s. She expressed comfort that Tim got his chance to change the world and left a legacy of being widely loved.