Australians are sharing their memories of Bob Hawke, the nation's 23rd prime minister, who died yesterday aged 89.
This woman wrote to Hawke after her grandmother died and he responded with this letter, which encouraged her to "think about all the nice things" that make "life so precious".
As a child struggling with my Nan’s death, I wrote to PM Bob Hawke, to help my young mind understand why we die. His letter back to me is my most treasured childhood memory! #RIPBobHawke #votesoutforBOB
"Mr Hawke is pleased you are taking an interest in such important matters," his office wrote back to a concerned nine-year-old in 1991.
Vale Bob Hawke - woke up to the news via text from mum who sent me this letter I got back from his office after I’d sent him one asking about recycling, the environment, poverty and the economy! I remember being so chuffed they made time for a know it all 9 year old!
Responding on behalf of Hawke in 1988 to this woman when she was a child, the PM's private secretary Jean Sinclair said the idea that there should be "no money in Australia or even the world" was an "interesting one", but that "it would be very difficult for countries ... to function".
My letter from Mr Hawke, 1988
Somewhere in a cupboard I have a letter that Bob Hawke sent me when I was about 10. I wrote and asked him to help the children who were starving overseas and he promised he would do what he could #RIPBobHawke
When this woman was a child anxious about the threat of nuclear war Hawke sent back a letter of reassurance.
I can't remember why on earth I was so worried at such a young age about nuclear war to write a letter to the PM about it, but I sure remember getting this letter back from Bob Hawke. I felt like he truly cared. I felt like he had really listened. He was a true leader. RIP 💔
I wrote to Bob Hawke when I was starting school. He was the Prime Minister at the time. I asked him to save the trees and told him I like his name because I go for @HawthornFC. I got a response not long after, thanking me for my letter. I thought that was awesome #ValeBobHawke
There have been grateful tweets about Medicare, Australia's first affordable, universal system of health insurance, which Hawke's government introduced in 1984.
My favourite memory of Bob Hawke...
Look in your wallet, we all carry a piece of green plastic as a permanent memory of the Hawke years - a Medicare card.
Many were quick to post footage of Hawke, who once held the world record for the fastest drinking of a yard of beer, knocking back a cold one.
Icon.
Hawke downed a yard of ale in 11 seconds as part of a traditional Oxford college penalty.
I remember making the pilgrimage to the Turf Tavern in Oxford so I could have a drink at the place Hawke broke the world record. Vale. #auspol
These Chinese-Australians tweeted about their parents, who Hawke allowed to stay in Australia after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Vale #BobHawke. Will be drinking at the Carlisle tonight. My parents were able to stay in Australia after he offered asylum to Chinese students post-Tiananmen Square. Many Chinese-Australians will be saluting him tonight, see this message from my mum:
Bob Hawke let my parents stay here after Tiananmen Square, when they were students. Something many Chinese-Australians will be talking to their children and families about tonight. Vale.
I never knew Bob Hawke as Prime Minister, but his decision to let Chinese students like my father to stay in Australia after the Tiananmin Square massacre ultimately gave my family and I the chance to be Australian. Thank you and farewell to a great man.
A prime minister who helped out with a raffle.
I remember selling raffle tickets with my daughter for our local primary school at Castlecrag shops and Bob Hawke came up to us and helped us to sell them for a little while, wish I had a photo #RIPBobHawe
One who returned Uluru to the traditional owners, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people.
I’m at Uluru hearing of the passing of Bob Hawke. Amongst much, Bob handed back Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the T.O’s. He did it to the chagrin of the CLP NT Gov, pastoralists & the tourism industry who fought tooth and nail against the Anangu land claim. Vale Bob Hawke
One who welcomed refugees and immigrants.
There was never any question. Tamil refugees in the 1980s, our Greek neighbours, our Lebanese colleagues...we all supported a Hawke government. We all loved Bob. It was under this man’s leadership that my family and I found refuge, and thousands of others like us. #ValeBobHawke
One who loved a crossword and a cigar.
August 2014; Bob Hawke at home, on a Sudoku/cigar/bird life break from filming Kitchen Cabinet. He and Blanche were so hospitable to us that day. I’ll never forget it.
And one who traded ice-cream for political allegiance.
FUCK YEAH BOB HAWKE CAME TO MY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND BOUGHT US ALL ICE CREAMS AND MUCH TO MY LATE FATHER’S CHAGRIN I’VE BEEN A LABOR VOTER FOR LIFE VALE MISTER WHIPPY I LOVED YOU
Many were inspired by the love he had for his second wife Blanche.
I went to Bob Hawke's home last year. His wife, Blanche, said she fell in love with him straight away; that he was a man of "absolutely good character" who gave her the happiest 25 years of her life. I just remember thinking... damn, find someone who makes you feel this way.
Some people reflected on Hawke's ''yes'' vote for marriage equality in a postal survey he said was "the worst economic decision made by any Australian prime minister".
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Even rock legend Jimmy Barnes shared a pic.
R.I.P Bob Hawke. A great Labor Prime Minister. A great Australian. “A working class hero is something to be”