From that tragic night in 1980, his memorial service on Monday was told, he began to see the shades of grey.

The world around him was imperfect - and so was he.

Hundreds of people packed Avondale College's Seventh Day Adventist Church to farewell Cooranbong's most famous citizen, Dr Chamberlain, who died aged 72 last week after a battle with leukaemia.

Among those attending was his first wife Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, his children and step-children, all those who fought alongside him on that long and bitter road to justice, and wife Ingrid - who gave him a new lease on life.

Mourners were told Dr Chamberlain's life could be split down the middle - the “36 years pre the rock, and 36 years post”.

Mrs Chamberlain, who suffered a stroke six years ago, paid emotional tribute to her husband from her wheelchair.

She said she was “so proud” of her “darling man” who gave their marriage “so much passion”.

“He was not a perfect man - but he was perfect for me,” Mrs Chamberlain said. “I'll never forget him.”

Parked outside the church was the striking yellow Torana used in the 1988 film Evil Angels. Proudly on display on the stage inside were some of Dr Chamberlain's possessions - from his books to work boots.

Halfway through the nearly three-hour service was a photo tribute which painted a picture of a happy man who spent his time swimming in Lake Macquarie; the intellectual man who pursued an academic career at the University of Newcastle after being appointed adjunct professor; and the man who spent half his life in the public eye as he battled to overcome a grave miscarriage of justice.

All speakers acknowledged the strain the disappearance of Azaria, and the legal fight that followed, put on Dr Chamberlain's life, including son Aidan, who called it the “pinch point” that couldn't be ignored.

Mrs Chamberlain-Creighton sat in the second row and did not speak.