The 81-year-old, who founded one of the country’s first independent media and advertising companies, Mitchell & Partners, died suddenly on February 10.

It is understood he died due to complications following knee surgery.

East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and the wife of late Australian icon Bert Newton, Patti, were among the VIP guests who filed into the ceremony venue at Montsalvat in Eltham, north of Melbourne.

Eddie McGuire, Bill Guest, and Kerry Stokes were among the well-known figures who paid tribute to Mr Mitchell in the wake of this death, applauding his contributions to the Australian community.

“Harold Mitchell was one of our great media/business/philanthropic success stories,” Mr McGuire said via the Herald Sun.

“He backed himself as an unlikely mogul from Stawell. Became a friend and confidant to the biggest names in Australian business, in media, sport, advertising and the arts.

Mr Mitchell served as chairman of The Florey Institute, contributing to brain research.

He has been celebrated for his support of Australian and Aboriginal culture, including promoting Indigenous art internationally and supporting Indigenous communities.