"This was the perfect way of saying thank you, goodbye and a great tribute to somebody who has made so much of a difference, to not only the lives of musicians, but to everybody who really listens to music," Goodchild said. "I expected maybe 15, 20 people to turn up and we had over 70 there, and even the police band turned up as well." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Paul Goodchild said The Dam Busters March was Mr Gill's favourite song from his favourite movie. "The whole thing was one of the most profound things I think I have ever done ... all his family was there, all his friends, all his neighbours. People came from all over Sydney."

Gill was a celebrated conductor and music educator. Among his many roles, he was the founding conductor of the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra, taught at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, conducted the Sydney Youth Orchestra, was director of chorus at Opera Australia and musical director of the Sydney Chamber Choir. He was the founding artistic director of the Victorian Opera and former artistic director and chief conductor of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Six years ago he was instrumental in the founding of the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra, which specialises in the romantic and classical repertoire on period instruments. He was also known for his talent as an educator, teaching music to people of all ages. He worked as the dean of the West Australian Conservatorium of Music.

Richard Gill at the Opera House in 1988. Credit:Paul Wright "He is just one of a kind," Goodchild said. "Every person he met, he always remembered their name, even people he taught at school 40 years ago. "We have lost somebody who is the most amazing advocate for music being taught in every classroom. "But he has left a legacy and there are other people who will continue his work." Gill had been battling bowel and peritoneal cancer for a year and is survived by his wife Maureen; children Claire and Anthony; and grandchildren Camille, Elise and Antoinette.

Instantly recognisable for his shock of white hair and irresistible enthusiasm for communicating a love for and appreciation of music, Gill's death has prompted a huge outpouring of tributes online and elsewhere from senior music figures and former students. "Richard will be remembered as a giant in Australian music,an iconic conductor, teacher and passionate campaigner for music education," Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra chairman Richard Kefford said. Richard Gill leads the Sydney Flash Mob Choir last year. Credit:Peter Rae "His death is a massive loss to Australian music and to the countless colleagues, students, friends and audience members who love him so much." Pianist Gerard Willems posted a tribute to Facebook.

"Dear Richard, I don’t know what to say. I knew you were not well. But even so, I feel so shocked and sad that now you have gone ... What a great life! We will miss you greatly. Rest in Peace, dear friend. The music will never stop," he wrote. A tribute posted by the official Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra Facebook page remembered Gill as a champion of Australian music. "He will be remembered for his contagious energy and flamboyant rhetoric," the post said. "His passing is a profound loss for the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra and Australia alike." In a widely shared tribute, the orchestra's marketing manager, Charles MacInnes, said Gill's contribution to Australian music education was almost impossible to quantify. "Like the fading of a beautiful sustained note, or that magical silence following a fabulous performance, a loss as significant as Richard Gill cannot be adequately explained or understood," he wrote. "This loss – like music evokes, suggests and implies."