Aussies should smile for Hawke: d'Alpuget

Bob Hawke's wife Blanche a'Alpuget says Australians should no longer be grieving but smiling and celebrating the life of the former Labor prime minister.

The time for grieving former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke is over with Australians urged to smile in the wake of his death, his wife has declared.

Widow Blanche d'Alpuget told mourners to "smile again" at his joyous state memorial service at Sydney Opera House on Friday.

"This memorial service marks the transition from the grief of loss to the celebration of a life triumphantly well lived," Mr Hawke's widow told the crowd.

"With today's transformative service, we smile again, we glow with pride for the presence among us for almost 90 years of a great human being."

The 89-year-old ex-Labor prime minister died peacefully at his Sydney home on May 16.

Ms d'Alpuget was joined by Mr Hawke's children and grandchildren, and a swag of dignitaries and the public.

Five former prime ministers -- Paul Keating, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull -- joined current PM Scott Morrison, federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in the audience.

Footage of the "larrikin" PM skolling a beer, wearing his iconic America's Cup jacket, and meeting Nelson Mandela were met with applause from those gathered.

A private family funeral for Mr Hawke was held shortly after his death.


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2 min read
Published 15 June 2019 3:36am
Source: AAP


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