#and i couldnt remember if malcolm also died in the war or not??

[sims-himbo]

Those darned landgraabs cut off the electricity so Elena's taking Lucy out for a walk!

[adelaidecity]

'Nation in mourning': Tributes flow for Bob Hawke

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has died at the age of 89. The Labor legend died in his Sydney home on Thursday evening, just two days before the May 18 federal election. All government flags will fly at half-mast on Friday in honour of Mr Hawke, who was arguably one of the most popular prime ministers in Australian history. He is survived by his wife Blanche dAlpuget, and children Susan, Stephen and Rosslyn. Labor leader Bill Shorten tonight paid tribute to Mr Hawke, making a short statement to reporters in Sydney. Tonight the nation and Labor are in mourning. We have lost a favourite son, he said. Bob Hawke loved Australia and Australia loved Bob Hawke. But his legacy will endure forever. Bob Hawke changed Australia for the better. He brought people together, he modernised our economy, he transformed our society, he protected our environment.

media_cameraBob Hawke arguably one of the most popular prime minister in Australias history. Speaking at a rainy Brisbane airport on Thursday night, Scott Morrison said what most Australians will remember about Mr Hawke was the bloke. It was his ability to connect with everyday Australians with a word, with that larrikin wit, with that connection and an understanding of everyday Australian life that we will most remember Bob Hawke, he said. One thing I remember amongst many - it was Bob Hawke who changed our national anthem to say Australians all let us rejoice and tonight ... I think we can all say as Australians all, that we rejoice in the life of Bob Hawke. We thank him for his service to our nation and we pray now that he Rest In Peace. Kevin Rudd tweet Former prime minister Kevid Rudd also released a statement calling Bob Hawke an Australian insitution. How Hawke shook the nation awake

media_cameraBob Hawke and his wife Blanche dAlpuget, who described him as the greatest Australian of the post-war era. BLANCHE DALPUGETS MOVING STATEMENT Earlier on Thursday, Blanche dAlpuget confirmed her beloved husbands death in a moving statement. Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era. He died peacefully at home at the age of 89 years. I and Bobs children, Sue, Stephen, Rosslyn and stepson, Louis, and his grandchildren, will hold a private funeral. A memorial service will be held in Sydney in coming weeks. Bob Hawke and Paul Keating and their governments modernised the Australian economy, paving the way for an unprecedented period of recession-free economic growth and job creation. Bobs consensus-style approach of bringing together the trade union movement and the business community boosted job opportunities while increasing the social wage through Medicare and extra financial support for low-income families. Together with his highly talented Cabinets, he foresaw the Asian Century and positioned Australia to take full advantage of it through a program of sweeping economic reforms. Among his proudest achievements were large increases in the proportion of children finishing high school, his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, and his successful international campaign to protect Antarctica from mining. He abhorred racism and bigotry. His father, the Reverend Clem Hawke, told Bob that if you believed in the Fatherhood of God then you must also believe in the Brotherhood of Man. Bob would add today the Sisterhood of Women. Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues. We will miss him. The golden bowl is broken.

media_cameraBob Hawke with Bill Shorten in a photo released by the Opposition Leader earlier this week. AFTER HAWKE, WE WERE A DIFFERENT COUNTRY In a statement issued after the announcement of Mr Hawkes death, Bill Shorten said Mr Hawke was a leader of conviction and a builder of consensus. In Australian history, in Australian politics, there will always be B.H. and A.H: Before Hawke and After Hawke. After Hawke, we were a different country. A kinder, better, bigger and bolder country, Mr Shorten said. The Australian people loved Bob Hawke because they knew Bob loved them, this was true to the very end. At our Labor launch I told Bob we loved him, I promised we would win for him. I said the same to him the next day at his home, when I visited. The Sydney sun was out, that famous silver mane, now snow-white. Cigar in hand, strawberry milkshake on the table, the hefty bulk of his dictionary holding down the days cryptic crossword. I gave the man who inspired me to go into politics a gentle hug, I tried to tell him what he meant to me, what he meant to all of us. I couldnt quite find the right words, few of us can, when were face-to-face with our heroes. Blanche is in our hearts today, so too are Bobs children, Sue, Stephen, Rosslyn, his stepson Louis and his grandchildren.

media_cameraFormer prime minister Bob Hawke speaks at the memorial service for former Labor minister Barry Cohen at Old Parliament House in February 2018. GILLARD, TURNBULL, REMEMBER HAWKE Former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Julia Gillard also offered their condolences. Farewell Bob Hawke a great Australian, Labor leader and reforming Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull tweeted. Australia is a better place because of him. Lucy and I send our love and condolences to Blanche and all of his family. Former PM Julia Gillard has remembered Bob Hawke as the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had. As a teenager Bob inspired me, as a PM he guided me. I will miss him. I wish so very much that Bob had been able to see one more election day. My condolences to Blanche, his children and grandchildren.

media_cameraBob Hawke speaks to graduates after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Sydney in December 2016. KEATING ON GREAT PARTNERSHIP Paul Keating, Mr Hawkes longtime adversary, paid tribute and reflected on their great partnership. It was, the former PM said, a partnership we forged with the Australian people. But what remains and what will endure from that partnership are the monumental foundations of modern Australia. In what was our last collaboration, Bob and I were delighted to support Bill Shorten last week in recounting the rationale we employed in opening Australia to the world.

media_cameraBob Hawke with then Treasuer Paul Keating in 1989. Picture: Alan Porritt Bob, of course, was hoping for a Labor victory this weekend. His friends too, were hoping he would see this. Bob possessed a moral framework for his important public life, both representing the workers of Australia and more broadly, the country at large. He understood that imagination was central to policy-making and never lacked the courage to do what had to be done to turn that imagination into reality. And that reality was the reformation of Australias economy and society and its place in the world. Mr Keating paid tribute to Mr Hawkes wife and his family. The country is much the poorer for Bob Hawkes passing, he said.

media_cameraBob possessed a moral framework for his important public life, says Paul Keating. Mr Hawkes former press secretary and ABC Insiders host Barrie Cassidy told the ABC the best way to describe him was as an intellectual knockabout. It covers all bases. He was the sort of person who was just as at ease with world leaders as the punters at the race track, he said. It was the same to him. People had the sense they could approach him at any time and have a chat with him. THE PM WHO CHANGED THE NATION Mr Hawke was Australias 23rd prime minister, leading the nation from 1983-1991. In turn, he delivered the Labor Party four consecutive electoral victories. His legacy includes the creation of Medicare, the formation of APEC, and the initiation of national superannuation. Known for his larrikin streak, he infamously held the world record for skolling beer, and in later years even had a brand of lager named after him. In the months before his death, Hawke was using a wheelchair after suffering a series of health scares. In December 2018, he spoke to The Courier-Mail at Queenslands Woodford Folk Festival, which he attended every year. Mr Hawke usually spoke at the festival but had opted out. Ive sung my last song, or last verse of Waltzing Matilda, he said. Thats been done. Asked about his plans for 2019, Mr Hawke said hed had his time. No, Im just to see ... Ive had my time, just stick around for a little while.

media_cameraBob Hawke, with then wife Hazel, on the night of his 1983 election victory. He had taken to relying on a wheelchair, and has suffered several health troubles this year. In May 2018 he was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney with the wobbles after hitting his head in a fall. During his hospital stay, it was reported that he was eager to get home to his cigars and crosswords. He battled pneumonia in 2011, and beat another serious illness in 2015 that left him so close to death. Mr Hawkes first wife Hazel died in 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimers disease, while the couples fourth child Robert junior died in infancy in 1963. LEGEND IN THE MAKING Bob Hawke was born in South Australia on December 9, 1929, but moved to Western Australia as a child. Hawke always had big political ambitions. It's believed he said, at just 15, that he would one day lead the nation. He joined the Labor Party in 1947 and led the University of Western Australias Student Representative Council, where he studies a double degree in law and arts. He graduated in 1953. He went on to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

media_cameraA Rhodes Scholar, Bob Hawke always had big political ambitions. During his time there, he befriended many overseas students, which led him to found the International Club. He described himself as a pretty haphazard student during the first two terms of his course, and was lucky he had the smarts to do little work. But during that same year he suffered a serious motorbike accident and almost lost his life. It was a turning point for Hawke, who said it prompted him to live life to its fullest. He never liked the idea of being a lawyer, and did not complete the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics he initially undertook under the Rhodes scholarship at Oxford. Instead, he penned a thesis on the history of wage-fixing in Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Letters in 1955. But they werent his only impressive accolades; the former PM was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records for skolling 2.5 pints (1.12 litres) in 11 seconds.

media_cameraThen ACTU President Bob Hawke and Ian Sykes of XL Petroleum trying to avert oil strike chaos in 1972. RISE TO POWER Hawke first attempted to enter federal Parliament by contesting the seat of Corio, Victoria, held by Liberal MP Hubert Oppermann, in 1963. Mr Oppermann had represented the division since 1949. Hawke was unsuccessful. After his failed bid, he was elected president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 1969, and ALP president in 1973. The ACTU recognises Hawke as leading the organisation through a period of significant social change, including amping up the organisations influence in areas including education, health and housing.

media_cameraBob Hawke in his ACTU days with then PM Gough Whitlam. He ran for parliament again at the 1980 Federal Election, when Labor leader Bill Hayden took on incumbent Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser. While the ALP wasnt swept into power, Hawke snapped up the Victorian seat of Wills by a hefty margin, and was then appointed Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations. Just two years later he was narrowly defeated in a leadership ballot called by ALP leader Bill Hayden. But he was given another shot at the leadership early in 1983 and was elected unopposed. He led Labor to victory at the 1983 election in a landslide with the slogan Bringing Australia Together. Against a backdrop of high inflation and unemployment, his victory ended seven years of Liberal Party rule.

media_cameraHawkes victory in 1983. TIME AS LEADER Hawke led the ALP to four consecutive victories during his time as leader from 1983 to 1991. He governed amid challenges posed by globalisation and industrial relations, and his government worked to improve economic and employment growth Arguably, Hawkes signature policy was the introduction of Medicare in 1984, Australias universal healthcare system. He introduced it after the Medibank scheme introduced by Gough Whitlam was partially dismantled during the Fraser Government. He was also known for modernising and integrating Australias economy into the global economy. Hawke deregulated the financial system and floated the dollar and reduced tariffs that Labor had traditionally relied on to protect industry and jobs. Low-income families were given greater financial assistance, and sex discrimination in the workplace was outlawed. Hawke also introduced the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

media_cameraMembers of the Hawke ministry in 1984 on the steps of Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: National Archives of Australia Bob was an absolutely brilliant prime minister. He touched every leadership base you can think of. He had a very strong sense of policy direction, he was an excellent communicator to the public, the world at large, he was charismatic to go with it and he was a terrific manager of people, Former Hawke cabinet minister Gareth Evans said, according to the ABC. But he was not without his critics. Some believed hed hijacked the party and moved it to the right through his strengthening of private enterprise. His close relationships with leading businessmen also drew ire. As a recession took hold in the late 1980s, there were doubts Hawke would win the 1990 election, which he ultimately pulled off on a tight margin. But eventually, he lost the support of the Labor Right, who threw their support behind treasurer Paul Keating in a 1991 leadership spill. Keating would go on to lead the party until 1996.

Bob Hawke says he feels genuinely sorry for Paul Keating after recently released cabinet papers shed new light on their troubled relationship.

I did my best to support Keating: Hawke Bob Hawke elevated Paul Keating to treasurer upon winning government in 1983. Their partnership was credited as helping the ALP achieve continued electoral success by moving the party toward the centre, and winning the support of Liberal-National voters. But things began to take a sour turn in 1998. A secret meeting dubbed the Kirribilli Agreement took place as opinion polls began to wane, and Hawke agreed to hand over power to Keating if he won the 1990 election.

media_cameraIn later years, Bob Hawke spoke of his famous rivalry with Paul Keating, saying he wanted the public to look at the positives. Picture: Alan Porritt But he didnt, prompting two Keating-initiated leadership spills in 1991, the second of which Hawke would lose. He would go on to sit on the backbench for a brief period, before retiring in 1992. The two traded barbs as the years went on, but Hawke said in 2014 he wanted the Australian public to remember them for what they achieved. I would like history to talk about Paul and myself in terms of the great things we were able to do together. His ambition to become leader was perfectly justified and in the end he had his opportunity and he did some good things. So I hope history will look at the positives and not the occasional tiffs, Hawke told the ABC.

media_cameraDecember 19, 1991: Keating makes his move. After quitting politics, Hawke took TV journalism in his stride, interviewing international political figures for Channel 9. He also penned The Hawke Memoirs, and became a successful businessman working as a consultant and dealing in the property market. He continued to remain involved in the Labor Party, supporting Kevin Rudd during the 2007 election and campaigning against John Howards WorkChoices. Similarly, he made appearances during the ALPs 2010 and 2013 election campaigns, too. During his time in office, Hawke was married to Hazel, and the breakup of their marriage in 1994 caused public dismay and family upheaval. After his divorce in 1995 Mr Hawke married his biographer, Blanche dAlpuget. Hawke began an affair with dAlpuget in 1976, but its believed he stayed with Hazel to preserve his prime ministerial aspirations.

media_cameraBob Hawke during a luncheon to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Australia II's America's Cup victory in 1983. Hawke wore the same jacket he wore on the day of the win. Picture: Gregg Porteous Hawke reportedly said his post-political life had been extraordinarily interesting and fulfilling. He was a keen punter, remained sport-obsessed, and even at 88-years-old was caught skolling a beer at the SCG.

Bob Hawke hasn't disappointed again, skolling a beer at the SCG during the 5th Ashes Test. Courtesy: Channel Nine

Bob Hawke skolls beer at the SCG TIMELINE 1929: Robert James Lee Hawke, the son of Arthur Hawke and Edith Lee, is born in Bordertown, South Australia 1947: Hawke joins the Australian Labor Party 1953: Graduates from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Letters and Bachelor of Arts (Economics) 1954: Hawke is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for skolling 2.5 pints (1.12 litres) of beer in 11 seconds

media_cameraBob Hawke in Perth, 1952. 1955: Graduates from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar with a Bachelor of Letters 1956: Returns to Australia to take up a research scholarship at the Australian National University 1956: Marries Hazel Masterson 1956: The couple welcome their first child, Susan 1958: Becomes a research officer and advocate with the Australian Council of Trade Unions 1963: Fails to win the seat of Corio (Victoria) in his first attempt to enter federal Parliament from Liberal MP Hubert Oppermann 1969: Becomes ACTU president 1971: Elected to the federal executive of the ALP 1973: Elected president of the ALP 1979: Honoured with the Companion of the Order of Australia 1980: Resigns from the ACTU and announces his intention to enter federal Parliament 1980: Wins the seat of Wills (Victoria) and is appointed Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Employment and Youth Affairs 1982: Challenges ALP leader Bill Hayden, but loses the caucus ballot 1983: Elected as leader of the ALP 1983: Leads the ALP to their greatest election win in 40 years after just one month as opposition leader 1983: The Australian dollar is floated after being pegged to the US dollar 1984: Hawke introduces universal health care, commonly known as Medicare 1984: He announces Advance Australia Fair as the national anthem

media_cameraQueen Elizabeth and Bob Hawke in 1988. Picture: Supplied 1984: Promotes Charles Perkins, the first indigenous person to head a Commonwealth Department, as Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs 1989: The Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) is introduced, ending 15 years of free tertiary education 1989: Hawke forms the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 1990: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission is established

media_cameraPrime Minister Bob Hawke and then wife Hazel with 1990 Young Australian of the Year Cathy Freeman and Australian of the Year, eye surgeon pioneer Professor Fred Hollows after presentation ceremony at Kirribilli House in Sydney on Australia Day, 1990. 1991: Universal compulsory superannuation introduced in the Hawke Governments final budget 1991: Hawke loses leadership to Paul Keating 1992: Resigns from parliament 1995: Bob and Hazel divorce 1995: Marries Blanche dAlpuget 2008: Attends Kevin Rudds apology to the Stolen Generations 2009: Helps establish the Centre for Muslin and Non-Muslim Understanding 2016: Awarded honorary doctorate from The University of Sydney

media_cameraBob Hawke with his wife Blanche dAlpuget.Originally published as Nation in mourning: Tributes flow for Bob Hawke https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/tributes-flow-for-former-prime-minister-bob-hawke/news-story/ffe484e93e7fff00594a545abbb1b2d9?from=htc_rss