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Friends and family farewell Heath Ledger in Perth

Hundreds of mourners, including family and celebrities, gathered to bid farewell to actor Heath Ledger at a memorial service yesterday that celebrated his life and work.

The star's former fiancee, actress Michelle Williams, arrived with a police escort in a six-car cavalcade with his parents, Kim Ledger and Sally Ledger-Bell, and sister Kate Ledger at Penrhos College, a Uniting Church girls' school, after several hundred mourners arrived for the service in his Australian hometown of Perth.

An emotional Williams, wearing dark glasses and a white dress with black trim, was not accompanied by Matilda, her two-year-old daughter fathered by Ledger. She was ushered in clutching the arm of Ledger's older sister.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan bio-flick I'm Not There -- a role that earned her an Oscar nomination -- was among the celebrities, who included actors, directors and sport stars.

Blanchett spoke about the times she shared with Ledger in New York and Los Angeles, state lawmaker Barbara Stott said after the 75-minute service.

A video tribute by family and friends included footage of Ledger's films and of his daughter.

Among the first to arrive at the high-security ceremony was Australian model Gemma Ward, a former girlfriend of the 28-year-old Brokeback Mountain star, who died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in his Manhattan apartment last month.

Mourners filed through a side gate where two women dressed in black checked their identification.

The music reflected Ledger's eclectic tastes: Bob Dylan's Times Are A Changing, the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here and Neil Young's Old Man.

"It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful West Australian, an outstanding guy with great talent," Stott said.

Local musician Levi Islam told reporters that he opened the service in a theater by playing an ancient Aboriginal dirge with a didgeridoo.

Kim Ledger said the service would be followed by a private funeral in Perth. He appealed for privacy and did not disclose the time or location.
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