Cain remembered as one of Victoria’s great reformers
LABOR’S longest-serving Victorian premier John Cain was remembered yesterday at a state memorial service as a principled leader who modernised the state.
Thousands attended a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to honour Victoria’s 41st premier, who died on December 23 after a stroke. He was 88.
The crowd that spilt out of the church and on to Flinders St included all Victoria’s living premiers, former prime minister Julia Gillard and Labor leader Anthony Albanese, as well as state and federal MPs.
Premier Daniel Andrews described Mr Cain as one of Labor’s greatest reformers and thinkers, “relentless in his pursuit for change”.
He shared his favourite moment with Mr Cain, on the eve of the 2014 election.
“With tears in his eyes and a powerful emotion in his voice, John told me we were going to win. And I’ll never forget the advice he gave me that day,” Mr Andrews said.
“(He said) celebrate it, enjoy it but then get to work because people are relying on you and you can’t let them down.
“He leaned into me a little closer and said, ‘You cannot, you must not, waste your opportunity’.”
Mr Andrews praised Mr
Cain’s resolve in moving the Australian Open tennis from Kooyong to its current home at Melbourne Park, ensuring it remained in Victoria.
“Because of John, Melbourne Park is a pocket of our city devoted to the enjoyment of its people — a part of which will soon be dedicated to John’s name.”
The State Government yesterday announced Melbourne Arena would be renamed John Cain Arena.
Mr Cain established the Victorian Women’s Trust, now run by Mary Crooks, who teared up as she spoke about his commitment to gender equality.
Judge John Cain Jr spoke of his father’s work as a suburban lawyer, focusing on basic legal services for the largely working-class families in Preston, before entering politics.
“On his wedding day to Nancye, he was able to fit in a couple of pleas down at the South Melbourne court before heading off to be married,” he said.
James Cain shared his father’s best advice. “Be honest and don’t cheat the system. Read books. Don’t trust banks. The internet is full of crap,” he said. “Take care of your partner, because you might find most of what you achieve in life is because of their support.”