It was billed as a “celebration” of Charlotte Dawson’s 47 years of life, with the 300 people invited to this morning’s memorial asked to wear bright colours “to remember Charlotte’s colourful spirit”.
A long line-up of high-profile identities has converged on The Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills where the memorial for the late television personality is taking place under a grey and steamy late summer Sydney sky.
The guests were invited by email after Dawson’s former employer, Foxtel, approached her family and offered to organise the memorial.
The memorial is being held at the same venue where,two nights ago, one of Dawson’s peers, pop star Kyle Minogue, took to the stage for an impromptu concert, prompting one of Dawson’s closest friends to comment: “I think Charlotte would like the fact they were sharing the same stage.”
Channel Nine entertainment reporter and fellow New Zealander Richard Wilkins will be master of ceremonies and is due to introduce several speakers, including Dawson’s former boss, Foxtel television director Brian Walsh.
Dawson’s sister Vicky Dawson, who flew to Sydney from New Zealand this week with her other sister, Robin Barclay, is also due to address the gathering.
Dawson, a judge on Australia’s Next Top Model was found dead in her luxury Sydney apartment last Saturday.
She was cremated in a private ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday. A small group of her friends gathered at the Woolloomooloo apartment where she took her life for an intimate wake that night.
“Another service for family and friends in New Zealand would be held in a few weeks, her sister Vicky Dawson said.
