Media Press Release
A Beautiful and Fitting Tribute To A Drag Queen Icon With Her Last Trip Down Oxford Street, Sydney. As the community mourns the loss of one of their favourite drag queens Maxi Shield (Kristopher Elliott), Sydney is set to give her a fabulous send off by coming together next Wednesday, 11th March 2026, at 11:00 AM AEDT on her favourite strip, Oxford St.
Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary life of the beloved Maxi Shield as we say goodbye. The service will take place at Paddington Town Hall, Oxford Street, Paddington with an expected attendance of 400+ guests and thousands watching online around the world.
Maxi was a vibrant force of nature in Sydney’s drag queen scene, and globally recognised on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Everyone is invited to come together to honour her legacy in style. Guests attending are encouraged to dress smartly and dignified, with a splash of colour — purple and sparkles are particularly welcome of course, Maxi’s favourite. For those unable to attend in person, several venues on Oxford are streaming the service live from 11am, including The Oxford, Stonewall, Universal and The Burdekin.
After the service, Maxi will make her final journey down Oxford Street in a very special way, and we invite everyone to come out and wave her goodbye around 30-40mins once the service finishes. Maxi will be in a beautiful classic Mercedes Benz Hearse named Mercy, and behind her will be the support vehicle called Maxi – only fitting!
The after-party location is at the Beresford Upstairs where DJ’s, the staff will keep everyone in good spirits all afternoon. The Merivale Group Sales Manager Simone says “Maxi Shield has been such a beloved part of the Merivale community for over 20 years and such an integral presence within the LGBTQI+ family at The Beresford. Maxi will always hold a very special place in our hearts, and we are honoured to host the after party from 1pm to celebrate her”.
Let’s celebrate Maxi Shield—her spirit, her laughter, and her fabulousness!
About Over The Rainbow Funerals Co.
Over The Rainbow Funerals Co. is based in Darlinghurst, Sydney Australia. We are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalised funeral services that honour the lives of loved ones in the LGBTQI+ community. Located in the heart of the Darlinghurst, we offer a range of options, from traditional ceremonies to unique celebrations of life, tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community and their families. Our dedicated and fabulous LGBTQI+ Funeral Directors and team members are committed to guiding families through all the way from time of death to the funeral celebration of life.
For more information go to www.overtherainbowfunerals.com.au and speak Scott Duncombe - Owner.
Media Enquiries
For any media inquiries, please contact info@overtherainbowfunerals.com.au or call them on
+61272054130 between 9am and 5pm Sydney time. The family appreciates your understanding during
this difficult time and requests any media request comes through Over The Rainbow Funerals Co. All
photographers will be briefed on what is allowed or not allowed, as some people will request not to be
photographed or in any video footage for personal reasons, and we need to respect this. These beautiful
people will be identified with a lanyard.