Race Mathews lived a rich and fulfilling life as a family man, politician who served in all three levels of government (local, state and federal), academic, author, social reformer, and champion of the arts.
Born in Melbourne in 1935, Race worked as a speech therapist and a teacher before settling on a career in politics.
He joined the Victorian Labor Party in 1956 and went on to serve as Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Community Services.
Race left his biggest political mark as Principal Private Secretary to former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam where he helped shape policies on education and healthcare, including the early design for what would later become Medicare.
Throughout his life, Race upheld strong personal values. He believed in government and democracy, in equality and kindness.
As a Minister, Race led reforms that strengthened child protection, modernised Victoria Police, tightened gun laws, and improved emergency response policies following Ash Wednesday.
Race was dedicated to making the arts more accessible. He served on the boards of the Melbourne Recital Centre and Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and helped establish the Arts Centre and the Melbourne Writers’ Festival.
Date
Friday 23 May 2025
Time
Doors open at 10.30 am.
The State Memorial Service will commence at 11.30 am.
Location
The Leaper Family Pavilion
Theatres Building
Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004
View on Google Maps.
Tickets
The State Memorial Service is free. Tickets are not required to attend.
Live stream
The State Memorial Service will be live streamed free on this page for those unable to attend.
The live stream will be added to this page closer to the date.
How to get there
By car
Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park
Arts Centre Melbourne's undercover paid car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park are wheelchair accessible.
For all car park information, visit the Arts Centre Melbourne Parking and Accessible Travel webpages.
Street parking
There is extremely limited street parking around all Arts Centre Melbourne venues, including several accessible car parks. These spaces cannot be reserved, and time limits may apply.
By public transport
By train
The closest train station the Arts Centre Melbourne is Flinders Street Station.
Exit the station onto Swanston Street, turn your back on the city and walk across Princes Bridge.
By tram
Tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72.
Arts Centre Melbourne is number 14 – ‘Arts Precinct’.
This tram stop is accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Visit the PTV website to find out if your tram route has low floor trams.
Please check the PTV website for up-to-date information about public transport on the day.
Accessibility
Arts Centre Melbourne buildings, venues and car park are wheelchair accessible.
To ensure support is provided, please pre-register your attendance by emailing contact@dpc.vic.gov.au or calling 1300 366 356 between 8.30 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.
For venue information, visit Accessibility at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Closed captions will be available on the live stream of the service.
Memorial donations
In lieu of flowers, tributes can be made in the form of donations to Alzheimer’s Research Australia or The Australian Fabian Society.
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