The incredible letter Jason Warne sent big brother Shane in 1992

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Friends, family, fans and superstars have farewelled Shane Warne at a special memorial service at the MCG.

Among the tributes and tales were some wonderful heartfelt stories told by those who knew him best, many never heard before.

We have compiled just a few of those below.

'Don't let the chance slip by': The letter sent from Jason to his big brother 30 years ago

"We wanted the best for each other, which is highlighted in a letter I sent Shane after his breakthrough Test here (at the MCG) in 1992 against the West Indies. Dad happened to keep that letter," Jason told the crowd.

The letter sent from Jason to Shane Warne

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The letter read: "Shane, so I hear you're in love. Tell me about Simone.

"Congratulations on taking 7-21 against the Windies in Melbourne. Me and Finn were going wild telling everyone you were my brother and I can't tell you how proud of you I was when I first saw it on teletex.

"Well done, keep it up. Loads of hard work at the nets could set you up for the rest of your life. Don't let the chance slip by enjoying the limelight and resting on your laurels. That comes in 10 years time when you have rewritten all the record books.

"Now is the time to put everything, and I mean everything, into it and make it work for you. So, come on, make some more sacrifices and give people the opportunity in 20 years' time to say remember Shane Warne? We'll never get another leggie like him. He was the best spinner Australia has ever had."

'Shane stayed until the lad was starting to fall asleep'

"I remember I picked Shane up at Melbourne Airport when he arrived home after an extensive overseas Test series. He asked me, 'What's been happening, Dad?'

"As soon as I mentioned a little boy who had terminal cancer had been hanging on, hoping to meet Shane, he had me contact the father and see if it was OK for him to pop in and say hello.

"We got the OK and went directly to the boy's home. Shane stayed until the lad was starting to fall asleep which was a good two hours later. Then I drove Shane home to see his own children. This is who he was. This summed up Shane's character as a man who took great responsibility in using his profile and privilege to bring good into the lives of people less fortunate than himself.

"We are grateful the world loved our son as we did and thankfully touched so many lives in so many ways." Keith Warne, Shane's father.

Summer Warne's heartfelt tribute

'When I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever'

As Shane's children Summer, Brooke and Jackson took to the stage, the Bryan Adams hit Summer of '69 played

"That song, Summer of '69, played on Wednesday, March 2, two days before your passing. And the last time I saw my dad.

"You were coming to pick up your bag you needed for Thailand. And as I opened the door you came inside and had your car door wide open blaring that song. You started dancing and singing with true happiness all around you.

"With the smile that lit up the whole room. We both started dancing with room. We both started dancing with not a care in the world, and couldn't stop laughing with each other.

"Looking back on that memory now, and it is so incredibly special as you, as the year you were born was 1969 and a verse in that song is When I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever. And if I had a choice I'd always want to be there. Those were the best days of my life.

"You will always be with us, Dad, just not in the way we had hoped." – Summer Warne, Shane's daughter

Cheers, little man

"Like most of you here tonight, I too have memories of Shane. When I was eight years old I was at the MCG test with my grandfather. I was sitting in the members' section where the Aussies would run down the race.

"We were batting at the time and we had a rare batting collapse. When it was Warnie's turn to bat, I remember him walking past me.

"His batting stint, though, was quicker than the walkout to the ground.

"But what happened when he got back was just amazing. It was dead silent, as Warnie walked up the ramp. I stood up on my chair and within earshot I said, 'Well batted, Warnie.'

"The crowd giggled. Warnie came up to me, rubbed my hair and said 'Cheers, little man.'

"Ten minutes later, Warnie came back down and asked me how would I like to spend the rest of the day with the team. Of course I said yes. That was an experience that I'll never forget." Wurundjeri man Alex Kerr during the Welcome to Country

Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Merv Hughes and Nasser Hussain

In one word ….

"Bogan. Deadset bogan. King. Genius. Entertainer." – Merv Hughes, Brian Lara. Nasser Hussain and Mark Taylor asked to describe Shane Warne in one word.

Buying cigarettes so you could capitalise at Duty Free

"How do I encapsulate 35 years of loyal friendship? So many big moments on the field but the little moments off the field I'll cherish most of all.

"Sitting on the team bus singing Aussie Crawl or Springsteen, telling you to slow down in our cars, buying cigarettes so you could capitalise at Duty Free, our love and passion for the St Kilda Footy Club and the thousands of text messages we exchanged.

"So many fond memories, mate. My heart is broken. My soul is crushed. I miss you, mate. And I love you." long-time friend Darren Berry.

And Shane being Shane, he pulled out two passports

"I remember the day clearly and you need him around in those moments. A few emotional moments that go with it.

"But I remember one particular moment that he came in, gave us a hug, because he didn't mind a bit of affection. He liked a hug every now and then. And he whispered 'Mate, it's not too late'. And Shane being Shane, he pulled out two passports.

"He managed to get his hands on my passport as a bit of a gag. But he was like that. He always had that, just that willingness and want to see people happy and he brightened up the mood. – Former St Kilda great Aaron Hamill, who had Warne as joint-Best Man at his wedding.

Source: 9News