Friends, loyal listeners gather for James Valentine's public memorial

James Valentine has been remembered as a "wonderful human being", loving father and a "funny, inclusive, empathic" veteran ABC broadcaster at his public memorial in Sydney.

Valentine died at 64 last month, two years after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Master of ceremonies Richard Glover, who shared the airwaves with Valentine for years, said the service at Sydney Town Hall, attended by family, friends, celebrities, fellow musicians and his loyal audience, was a "celebration" to "give thanks".

Glover said Valentine was a "friend to all of us".

"Today, we are all, me included, so focused on what we have lost. But I hope we can also think about what we gained through knowing him, hearing him, being part of his beautiful, whimsical, creative world," he said.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn recalled appointing Valentine a member of the Order of Australia shortly before his death and paid tribute to his contribution to public life.

"He was always elevating kindness and community, and for that we owe him everything," she said.

"We've lost a truly great Australian, a wonderful human being."

Valentine's daughter, Ruby, said while she was often told he did not want children, he was the "best dad anyone could ever imagine".

"He was there in every moment I needed advice, a shoulder to cry on," she said.

"If there was something we enjoyed that he knew nothing about, he took the time to learn — simply because it was important to us."

Friend and celebrity chef Matt Moran said the moment he was told Valentine's cancer was terminal, he was devastated.

"None of us were ready to face it. He did, and somehow he made us too," he said.

Valentine's son, Roy, said alongside his mother and sister, they had a final week of looking after Valentine, which was "binding".

"We bundled him up, surrounded him with love, and we didn't leave his side, and we kept telling him how much we love him."

He said his father planned a voluntary assisted death, but it did not make it easier for those around him when the time came.  

"It was a shock to hear and to know, but it was going to be a shock at any point," he said.

"He knew he didn't have much left in him, and he knew it would only get worse past that certain point."

'Inquiring, generous, creative and playful'

The broadcaster had a 30-year career presenting radio on the ABC, most notably for the Afternoons show on 702 ABC Sydney, where he developed his distinct approach to talkback radio.

He officially retired from presenting in February this year, finishing up with a special broadcast that revisited the highlights of his tenure behind the microphone.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks said Valentine was "a master of the art that was his chosen craft" and shared a genuine relationship with his audience.

Veteran ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby said the pair were friends who "mentored each other" for decades, and his loss was heavily felt by colleagues and loyal listeners, whose messages she shared with those gathered.

"I don't think it's a surprise at all to that vast family who never actually met him but knew him, his listeners, a great number of whom are here today and listening to the broadcast [of the service].

"He made people laugh, he was curious, he was serious, he was funny, inclusive, empathic, inquiring, generous, creative, and playful."

Paul Kelly performed Meet Me in the Middle of the Air and Jimmy and Mahalia Barnes gave a rendition of You've Got a Friend before When the Saints Go Marching In played for the renowned saxophonist, in a jazz muso tradition.

Valentine's saxophone was carried as the audience filed out.