IT WAS A LIFE WELL LIVED
FINAL FAREWELL TO BOB HAWKE
‘I will always be proud of the spirit of optimism and inclusion’
FORMER prime minister Paul Keating – the man who toppled Bob Hawke from the top job – yesterday paid tribute to Mr Hawke’s “five star, 24 carat” legacy at an emotional memorial service.
“Bob asked me to speak at this memorial,” Mr Keating told 2000 people sitting in the main concert hall of the Sydney Opera House.
“Joining the circle on the great friendship and partnership that drove the longest reform period in the country's history.”
It also finally buried the hatchet between the former treasurer and popular PM and set the tone for an affectionate farewell to Australia’s much-loved 23rd prime minister.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes and said: “Australians all let us rejoice for the life of Robert James Hawke.”
He said there was “a passionate and affectionate relationship between Bob and the Australian people.
“Bob Hawke loved our country and we are a better nation for it,” he said.
Listening in the audience were former prime ministers Mr Keating, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. Julia Gillard sent a video message from Stockholm calling Mr Hawke an “inspiration”.
The 1800 members of the public who had been given seats in the main concert hall in a public ballot joined in prolonged applause for Mr Hawke’s wife and biographer Blanche d’Alpuget. Another 850 people watched a broadcast outside on the Opera House steps.
“Four weeks ago there has been a national outpouring of grief ... the grief has continued until today,” Ms d’Alpulget said.
“Today, this memorial service marks the transition from the grief of loss to the celebration of a life welllived.” She was joined by Mr Hawke’s granddaughter Sophie Taylor-Price, who spoke after a video screened of her, as a four-year-old, playing while her “pops” talked about climate change.
“I grew up in the shadow of a giant,” Ms Taylor-Price said. The 34-year-old added that 1989 video was one of her first memories, which would see her pursue a career in climate change.
Mr Hawke’s eldest daughter with wife Hazel, Sue Pieters-Hawke said: “I will always be proud of what Dad did and the spirit of optimism and inclusion he helped bring to our country.”
The audience erupted into laughter as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra began to play Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus while the screen showed Mr Hawke, in tails, conducting the same piece. There was footage of Mr Hawke’s most memorable moments including being hit by a cricket ball and winning the America’s Cup.
Former Hawke minister Kim Beazley said: “I loved Bob, he was my mentor, he was my friend.”
He recalled how he persuaded Mr Hawke to have a Cabinet meeting at sea. No sooner had the navy ship sailed through the heads than a storm rolled in and the Cabinet table began to move “pinning the prime minister to the bulkhead.” “F-this he said repeatedly,” said Mr Beazley. “Afterwards, pretty cross, he said to me, you know Cabinet is the heart of our government, we cannot have the Cabinet table running away and killing a couple of us on the way through.”
Master of ceremonies Craig Emerson said: “As a former economic adviser I was given the responsibility of putting on Bob’s bets.”
One of those was to put $100 each way on a hot tip for a 33-1 longshot. It came home first, and Mr Emerson passed a note into Cabinet that saw Mr Hawke delighted and spread an infectious joy through government. Even the CSIRO were happy.
But Mr Emerson said “I forgot to put the bet on”. He paced his office and worried. But Mr Hawke did not monitor his account too closely and Mr Emerson reasoned it was wrong to inflict such pain on an Australian prime minister.
“I never told Bob but I’m telling you today,” he said to laughter.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Hawke began his career after surviving a motorcycle accident that Mr Hawke believed was a second chance – and he took it.
“He dared us to be a better nation,” Mr Albanese said.
He said Mr Hawke once asked: “Do you know why I have credibility? Because I don’t exude morality.”
“Yet his moral compass did not waiver,” Mr Albanese said. “Farewell Bob. You go with the nation’s gratitude, you go with the nation’s respect and you go with the nation’s love.”