Tributes are pouring in for Australian singer Judith Durham, the former lead singer of ‘The Seekers,’ who died at the age of 79 after a long health battle.

Durham was admitted to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where she died on Friday evening in palliative care as a result of complications from chronic lung disease.

“After a brief stay in the Alfred Hospital, Judith was admitted to Palliative Care on Friday 5 August, where she passed away peacefully that evening,” her management said in a statement on Saturday.

“Her death was a result of complications from a long-standing chronic lung disease.”

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Durham joined the pop group ‘The Seekers’ in the 1960s alongside Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley. In 1967, the band received the Australian of the Year award. ‘The Seekers’ became successful in the United Kingdom and United States. The band sold 50 million records before getting separated when Durham left to start a solo career. The band members, however, reunited for shows over the coming decades. In 1995, the band inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Universal Music Group shared a statement on behalf of Potger, Woodley, and Athol Guy.

“Our lives are changed forever losing our treasured lifelong friend and shining star. Her struggle was intense and heroic – never complaining of her destiny and fully accepting its conclusion. Her magnificent musical legacy Keith, Bruce and I are so blessed to share,” the statement shared on Saturday said. 

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Australian PM Anthony Albanese tweeted, A national treasure and an Australian icon, Judith Durham gave voice to a new strand of our identity and helped blaze a trail for a new generation of Aussie artists. Her kindness will be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation will never be forgotten.”

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Actor Magda Szubanski wrote, “Oh this is just so sad. Her beautiful, crystalline voice was the naive but knowing siren song of my childhood
Deepest condolences to her loved ones.”