Priscilla, Queen of the Desert star June Marie Bennett dies aged 85
June Marie Bennett died this week aged 85. (Instagram: Broken Heel Festival)
In short:
June Marie Bennett, who played Shirley in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert has died after being ill with cancer.
Her daughter shared the news of Bennett's passing on social media.
Bennett was active in Broken Hill's theatre scene and became a key feature at the Mardi Gras and the Broken Heel Festival.
June Marie Bennett, famously known for her role as Shirl in the 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has died aged 85.
A Broken Hill local, Bennett is being remembered by friends and family as a "vivacious, caring and colourful person" who was a "born performer".
Bennett's family said a "celebration of life" service will be held next week, called "Let ME Entertain You", at Bennett's request.
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Bennett never expected the national and local attention she would receive for her role as Shirl in Priscilla.
Diane Magor, Bennett's friend of 40 years, recalled the actor almost pulled out of playing the role when she realised what it entailed.
"She went there to be an extra and they picked her for that [role of Shirl]," Ms Magor said.
"And when they told her what she had to do, she nearly pulled out because she was a Seventh-day Adventist and it was all quite shocking to her."
But in the 30 years following the film's release, Bennett came to love her part in the cult classic, and the fans.
"She embraced it and got to be friends with all the drag queens and go to Mardi Gras," Ms Magor said.
June Marie Bennett played Shirley in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. (Instagram: Broken Heel Festival)
'A born performer'
Ms Bennett's artistic endeavours did not end with Priscilla.
For decades, she was active in Broken Hill's theatre scene and the local Philharmonic Choir, and was awarded an Order of Australia medal for 50 years of contribution to local art and music in 2012.
Ms Magor, who will be the celebrant at Bennett's memorial, met the local icon through the Philharmonic Choir.
She said Bennett was always "a born performer" and was committed to the arts even in her final months.
June Marie Bennett was active in the Broken Hill's art scene. (Supplied: Andrew Mercado)
"She always soldiered on, even with this cancer, she was still in our 90th anniversary concert in May," Ms Magor said.
"She had to wear a wig, but she was definitely there in the front row being June, and I'm gonna miss that smile looking at me as I conduct.
"You could just feel the energy pouring off her."
An outpouring of grief
On Tuesday, Bennett's daughter Paula Langford announced on Facebook that her mother had passed while she was "holding her hand singing her the Long Time Sun prayer".
June Marie Bennett (right) with daughter Paula Langford. (Supplied: Paula Langford)
"No one could shine their light as bright as my mum, June," Ms Langford said.
"Her incredible love for life, compassion, empathy, understanding, and forgiveness for others was like no other."
Countless close friends, drag performers and locals have shared stories and messages of condolences on social media about Bennett.
In a statement, organisers of the Broken Heel Festival described Bennett's "tireless enthusiasm to bring smiles and joy to her community".
The celebration of life service will be held at the Broken Hill Musicians Club on Thursday November 28 at 10:30am.
Guests are encouraged to wear something yellow, in honour of Bennett and her bright personality.
Following the service — and in classic June/Priscilla style — a final curtain call event will be held at a local pub, where guests are encouraged to perform in her honour.
The night will end at the Palace Hotel, where her Priscilla stardom began.