ONE of the Silver City’s best known faces and the unofficial queen of Broken Hill, June Marie Bennett passed away this week.
Bennett famously played the hard-drinking barmaid Shirl in the 1994 cult classic film Priscilla Queen of The Desert, and was the only extra with a speaking role.
Her hilarious delivery of the line “No, you can’t have, you can’t have nothing. We’ve got nothing here for people like you. Where did you come here from? Did you come here from Uranus!” will forever be remembered and turned Bennett into an instant star.
Esther La Rovere, owner of the Palace Hotel said anyone who met Bennett would know of how vivacious, caring and colourful a person she was.
“Her accidental movie star career as Shirl (the most under dressed you would ever see her!) was only a small petal of the sunflower that was June Marie,” she said.
“Her tireless enthusiasm to bring smiles and joy to her community was part of her nature.”
Locally, Bennett was a well-loved member of the community who participated in numerous local clubs such as the Philharmonic Choir, The Broken Hill Repertory Society, The Forever Young Singers, and the Theatrical Society.
Bennett was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for her contribution to art, music and theatre in Broken Hill over a 50-year period.
Diane Magor, conductor of the Philharmonic Choir said Bennett will be missed dearly but remembered with love.
“June was one of a kind, irrepressible, colourful, bubbly and a true friend in times of difficulty,” she said.
“She was a born entertainer, always looking for the next opportunity to share her talents.”
Philmah Bocks, a drag performer and friend of Bennett’s said she loved life and spent every moment living it.
“Fly high June, to that big stage in the sky and keep on dancing,” they said.
“You brought so much love and light to my life and taught me the value of good friendship. Your purity for all things sparkly keeps me shining on in your memory.”
Paula Langford, Bennett’s daughter, said she felt incredibly lucky to have been blessed with her mother.
“I always said no one could shine their light as bright as my mum June,” she said.
“Her incredible love for life, compassion, empathy, understanding, and forgiveness for others was like none other.
“Memories of being dragged around repertory theatres and performing in plays that she was in, to keep an eye on us.
“No one is prouder than me of you, I will continue to brag about you till the day you meet me at those pearly gates.”
A celebration of the life of June Marie Bennett will be held on Thursday, November 28 at 10.30am, with attendees encouraged to wear bright colours, particularly yellow and sunflowers, at Bennett’s request.
June Marie Bennett’s final curtain call will follow on from the service at The Old Brewery and anyone who has performed with Bennett over the years is invited to participate in a final tribute performance.
Please contact Brendan Barlow on 0455 122 636 to take part.
