Shane Mallinson, a key supporter of the NZ AIDS Foundation and the Queen of the Whole Universe show, lost his long battle with cancer last Friday evening - and his many friends paid tribute to him at his funeral today. Shane Mallinson as 'Miss Holland' last year Mallinson, 44, worked at TVNZ for many years - most recently as Advertorial Producer on TVOne's Good Morning programme - but 'Queen of the Whole Universe' organiser Jonathan Smith will best remember him for his role on stage as Miss Easter Island, Miss Turkey and Miss Holland in recent QWU charity pageants. "I will miss Shane's honesty and support terribly," says Smith. "After a show or meeting or interview he would always have a quiet word in my ear to say well done or good job. He may have kept a fairly low profile in our community but he will always have a huge profile in my life. "The cast and crew of Queen of the Whole Universe will miss his humour, encouragement and his 'two left feet'. I will not forget that just prior to last year's show Shane was required to have surgery under his armpit just prior to the show night but he still managed to get himself on stage in the role of Miss Holland and backing dancer for Miss Greece. I don't know how he did it. Smith says he and his partner Kevin were honoured earlier this year when Shane and his partner Michael asked if drag icons Buffy and Bimbo would officiate at his funeral. The service was held today at St. Matthew in the City church in central Auckland. "We trust we will farewell Shane in the style he has requested," says Smith. "Our deepest sympathy and love go to Michael, his family and dear friends Mark, Ronnie and Robert." A 'Shane Mallinson RIP' thread on GayNZ.com's forum has been opened to share memories of Mallinson.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 19th September 2007 - 5:01pm