Joan Kirner

Joan Kirner's funeral was held today in Williamstown. More than 1000 people attended her funeral.

Ms Kirner, who was in office from 1990 to 1992, died on Tuesday aged 76 from cancer.

In the 10 years from 1982 to 1992, the number of Victorian students going on to Years 10, 11 and 12 increased by 22 per cent, the number of Victorian university students increased by 30 per cent and the number of Victorian TAFE students by 40 per cent. Many schools benefitted from her time as education minister and premier ( refer image of the plaque from Ballarat High School. There are many of these in Ballarat. Another one is at Black Hill Primary) 

It was not only in education that she worked tirelessly for Victoria. As environment minister she started up Landcare and as Premier she started up Victoria's Major Events Corporation.Minister and local member Jaala Pulford said at the service and I agree: "Today is a very sad day for the Labor Party. We'll cry and we'll celebrate, we'll remember an extraordinary woman," Ms Pulford said.

"Joan Kirner has so many achievements in education, in the environment, Landcare and supporting community.

"And I think her enduring legacy will be that we now have a government and parliament that look more like the community that they serve."