The coffin sat on a chrome trolley at the front of the pews. In the end we only need a box six feet by two, and how small it looks ... the imagination falters.

Helen Garner, in her eulogy for Diana Gribble, delivered at Christ Church, South Yarra, spoke of finding out what ‘publishers’ were like. In 1976 she pedalled over to the new McPhee Gribble offices in Jolimont bearing the manuscript of Monkey Grip. Helen described what it was like working with Diana, and how loosely cut linen trousers recall her: the first person she met who dressed that way. The day before the funeral, Helen had remarked that she was surprised to find that she had enjoyed writing the tribute: ‘Telling the world I loved her.’