Editing Robert Helpmann (section)

===Death===
Helpmann died of [[emphysema]] in [[Sydney]] on 28 September 1986, at the age of 77.<ref name=sw442>Sorley Walker (1998c), pp. 442–443</ref> He was given the rare tribute of a state funeral, held on 2 October at [[St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney]].<ref name=sw443/> Tributes were paid in both Houses of the [[Parliament of Australia]].<ref name=sw443>Sorley Walker (1998c), pp. 443–444</ref> In the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] all senators present stood in silence. This was noted as a rarity, and it was put on record that "it is only in exceptional circumstances that motions of condolence are moved for distinguished Australians who have not sat in the Parliament".<ref name=sw443/> Senator [[Stan Collard]] said:

:He always regarded himself as an Australian, although much of his life was spent away from these shores ... His love of the theatre and his ability to use it as a medium of communication and expression knew no bounds. He put this country on the map in the cultural arena.... He was always looking for new challenges and was never content to rely on past successes.... He was one of our great ambassadors.<ref name=sw443/>
In the [[House of Representatives (Australia)|House of Representatives]] the Prime Minister, [[Bob Hawke]], said, "No one should underestimate Sir Robert Helpmann's role in the development of the growing maturity of Australia's art and culture. ... He demonstrated to the world the diversity of this nation's talents and capabilities."<ref name=sw443/>
In London a memorial service was held at [[St Paul's, Covent Garden]] (known as "the actors' church"); Ashton represented [[Princess Margaret]], Fonteyn gave the address, a tribute was read from de Valois, and the British ballet and theatre were represented by some of their best-known members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Memorial service: Sir Robert Helpmann|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=29 November 1986|page=18}}</ref>