Flag announcement: State Memorial Service: Mr John Famechon AM (1945 – 2022)

The Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet advises that a State Memorial Service for Mr John Famechon AM will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday 11 October 2022, at Festival Hall, 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne, Victoria.

Dubbed ‘poetry in motion’ for his silky defensive skills in the boxing ring, Mr Famechon fought during the golden period of Australian boxing. His international career spanned 10 years, in which he recorded 56 wins, 6 draws and only 5 losses. His World Title win at London’s Albert Hall in 1969 was one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments.

Mr Famechon was greatly respected for his contribution to boxing and service to his local community in Frankston. In partnership with the local police, he established the Blue Light Boxing Club, which has given many young Victorians a sense of purpose and belonging up to the present day.

Mr Famechon was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2001, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal and the Centenary Medal for outstanding service through the sport of boxing. In 2002, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia.

Details regarding attendance at the service and livestreaming can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/state-memorial-service-john-famechon-am.

As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Tuesday 11 October 2022 in Victoria only from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.

  • When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
  • If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
  • An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
  • Information on flag protocol is available at Australian National Flag protocols.

Your assistance is appreciated.

Commonwealth Flag Officer