The photographer, Paul Harris, may not yet appreciate it, but his Sydney Morning Herald pic of Sir James Killen’s state funeral summed up superbly the great Australian being mourned … always “bridging the political divide”.

Standing on the steps of St John’s Cathedral was a group of the “official mourners”, including the Leader of the Opposition, Kevin Rudd. Holding Rudd firmly by the arm was a mourner not known to many Australians today – Sir John Carrick, the Fraser Government Minister and long time NSW Liberal Party Director.

But John Carrick is no ordinary former Minister. He is the man who John Howard not only gives credit for his entry into federal parliament 32 years ago, he has been Howard’s mentor, friend and guide for even longer.

Jim Killen would have loved it. The alternate Prime Minister firmly gripped by the patron of the Prime Minister he wants to send into retirement later this year!

Surprisingly, Jim left very few instructions about his own State Funeral. He used to tell me that he had been to so many funerals in recent years he was on first name terms with the undertakers, and that we Anglicans always did funerals better than any else. So he knew his own great departure would be in good hands.

If he had been able to peruse the gathering, some of the current and former politicians who manoeuvred themselves into prominent positions would have been relegated to the outer stalls – and one or two would have been late scratchings by order of the “stewards”.

Gough was magnificent. He sat in a Bishop’s chair (not the ornate Archbishop’s throne which is almost hidden from view) and delivered his eulogy with characteristic style. He may be weak in body, but his mind and delivery remain very sharp for one in his 91st year.

Jim would have regarded Gough’s reference to Menzies as “my great predecessor” as the ultimate accomplishment. In death, he had converted Gough to the Menzies Admiration Society which Jim was the proud patron of.

But he also managed to achieve something in common between Whitlam and Howard. Both ended their tributes with that famous phrase “Killen you were magnificent”. One can safely assume they did not exchange notes beforehand.

Malcolm Fraser was there. Despite their 24 year silence, Jim would have been delighted … even if it was only for the fact that Malcolm had to give up a day to be there!

But he would have enjoyed Saturday – his punting day – even more. The winner of the last race, race 8, at the lowly Kembla Grange race meeting was horse number 7, Sir James, and trained by Bart Cummings who Jim knew and admired.

I had a few dollars on it for Jim. It was the omen bet of the year – and Sir James not only won, he bolted in!