Gough hailed as our greatest reformer Gough Whitlam has been remembered as a political giant and Australia's "greatest white elder" whose legacy of combating prejudice with optimism and enthusiasm must endure more now than ever. At Sydney's Town Hall, thousands of mourners joined Mr Whitlam's family and all seven living past and present prime ministers, as well as other dignitaries, to pay their respects to a leader lauded by both sides of politics. Labor's Cathedral, as it is affectionately known, was filled to capacity while thousands more took up vantage points outside the venue and at live sites around the country to mourn the loss of Australia's 21st prime minister. Mr Whitlam died on October 21 at the age of 98. As the streets overflowed outside the venue, there were cheers for Labor leaders as they arrived, and jeers for Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Inside, a mob of about 20 Gurindji people were seated, having travelled thousands of kilometres to honour a man who in 1975 poured red dirt through the hands of Vincent Lingiari to acknowledge the return of their ancestral land. A Welcome to Country was given by Aunty Millie Ingram, a descendant of Mr Lingiari. In a moving oration in which he frequently and affectionately referred to Mr Whitlam as this "old man," indigenous leader Noel Pearson said the Labor luminary's legacy was to deliver opportunities of equality for a people once "born estranged from the nation's citizenship." "Without this old man the land and human rights of our people would never have seen the light of day," Mr Pearson said to loud applause. He praised his "moral foresight and vision" and rattled off a long list of Mr Whitlam's achievements - including abolishing conscription and introducing Medicare and free access to university. But Graham Freudenberg, who wrote more than 1000 speeches in a 40-year career serving various Labor leaders, said the Whitlam agenda "remains part of the Australian agenda." "Optimism, enthusiasm, confidence against fear, prejudice, conformity - that is his enduring message to the men and women of Australia - never more than now," he said. Paul Keating is right: There was an Australia before Whitlam and there was a different Australia after Whitlam. Senator John Faulkner, Mr Whitlam's closest friend in his final years, echoed the call to continue his work. As he himself said, those wonderful words he asked me to remind you of here today: That grand vision, to prevail equality, to involve the people of Australia in the decision-making processes of our land and to liberate the talents and uplift the horizons of the Australian people. Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Mr Whitlam's eldest child Tony Whitlam also provided touching tributes. Despite being only three when Mr Whitlam rose to power, Ms Blanchett said she was hit with a "great sorrow" upon his death, for a simple reason. "I am the beneficiary of free tertiary education," she said. Former Whitlam press secretary and ABC personality Kerry O'Brien, MC of the event, told the audience Mr Whitlam himself chose the venue for his send-off. Tony Whitlam joked his father would've loved to have spoken at his own service. Mr Whitlam was also praised for his delivering Labor from 23 years in the political wilderness when he swept to power in 1972. A reported 6000 people had registered for the service with only 1700 seats available, leading to sometimes heated scenes and confusion with many mourners turned away at the door. As 75-year-old Arthur Crutchfield remarked as he was turned away: "You could have filled up the Sydney Cricket Ground."