Bob Hawke and Peter Cleland. 1985. Photo: Ash Long

Prime Minister Bob Hawke and McEwen MHR Peter Cleland posed for my photograph in August 1985, when I was owner-editor of The Yea Chronicle (1984-1993).

As PM (1983-1991), Bob Hawke did not normally do “product placement”, but we had enjoyed a few laughs at a press conference in the morning, and at an electorate function at Seymour that afternoon … so he agreed to promote my paper.

The last time I saw Bob Hawke in person was at the Canberra Casino in 1994, when I was Publisher of The Canberra Weekly. He was gambling and drinking. I was watching and drinking. It was about 3.30am, he was no longer PM and he appeared happy.

Around that time, Hazel Hawke gave an interview to Text Media (publishers of The Canberra Weekly) and she was asked if Bob helped around the home with household chores. She gave a cryptic answer of “not applicable”; it masked that the Hazel/Bob marriage was already over.

Bob Hawke continued two love affairs: one with Blanche D’Alpuget, who he later married; the second with the Australian public. He was Labor’s longest serving Prime Minister. Vale Bob Hawke.

– Ash Long, Editor