Arabic version: توديع بروس بيرد في مراسم جنازة بسيدني

According to ABC News, former Liberal politician Bruce Baird is being farewelled at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney following his sudden death on October 2, aged 84. Mourners from across the political spectrum attended the service in the CBD.

Those attending included the Baird family, former prime minister John Howard, former attorneys-general Phillip Ruddock and George Brandis, former NSW premier Nick Greiner, opposition frontbencher Natalie Ward and former 2GB host Chris O’Keefe.

Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel opened the ceremony, saying Mr Baird had been valued by people across the many areas of his life, including the swimming community, church friends, humanitarian co-workers, political colleagues, electorate members, friends and family.

Senior minister Bruce Clarke, who said he swam with Baird at Manly most mornings for many years, described him as intelligent, hospitable and caring, with strong convictions and a warm, generous heart. He said Baird was particularly welcoming of refugees.

Baird’s children — former NSW premier Mike Baird, ABC broadcaster and author Julia Baird, and Steve Baird — were expected to speak. Former Australian politician Julie Bishop was also set to pay tribute. Baird represented the federal seat of Cook from 1998 until 2007, chaired the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council from 2008 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010.