The recent death of Bob Hawke was a bittersweet time for those on our side of politics, and for people right across this country.

It was a time of grief for the loss of a great man, a larger than life figure who seemed ever present throughout our lives.

It was also a time of celebration.

A celebration of the man who was.

The man who changed our country for the better, who set us on a new path, who gave us a new confidence and a new place in the world.

Bob and his government opened our economy to the world, floated the dollar, saved the Franklin River, reset industrial relations, and outlawed gender discrimination in the workplace.

Bob welcomed Chinese students after Tiananmen and spoke up for human rights and human decency.

He abhorred racism - at home and overseas - and he worked tirelessly to confront poverty and address indigenous disadvantage.

When Bob entered Government 30% of Australians finished year 12 - when he left 70% did.

Bob and his Government built Medicare.

I could stand here and fill my allotted time 5 times over just by listing the achievements of the Hawke Government.

He transformed our nation.

But, even beyond his policy achievements and reforms, Bob was beloved for his empathetic common touch.

The Hawke Government was the first Labor Government that I had the privilege of voting for.

And when I first ran for office in 2001, Bob came to help.

We picked him up in Melbourne and drove him back up the highway to Ballarat.

Together we walked through Wendouree Village Shopping Centre - with Bob being mobbed every step of the way.

I may have just been the new Labor candidate - but Bob was a hero to the people of Wendouree.

Never one to stick to a schedule, he ducked off from our walk to check out the Guinness Book of Records in a bookshop - seeing if his famous record still got a mention.

Before leaving Ballarat, Bob insisted on heading up the stairs of our campaign office to have a cigar.

Surrounded by the old ovens of what used to be a bakery, Bob held court with our young, passionate volunteers - passing on his advice and stories, and giving us all a memory which we will cherish forever.

Everyone who met Bob was left with a story just like that.

The evening after his passing there was an impromptu gathering in Ballarat Botanical Garden's Avenue of Prime Ministers - in front of the statue of Bob.

That group came together to celebrate Bob's life, to share a beer, and to consider what Bob meant to them.

All those present knew that their country - and their lives - had been changed by the actions, decisions and changes brought in by the government that Bob led.

Bob said that he wanted to be remembered "As a bloke who loved his country, still does. And loves Australians and who wasn't essentially changed by high office".

It was that love that drove him to make our nation a better place - for all of us.

And that is why Australians loved him in turn.

Bob wanted to be remembered for that - but in reality he will be remembered for more.

Paul Keating as Treasurer once said "that the Labor Party makes the political heroes in this country."

Reading that quote almost 30 years later it is impossible not to think of Bob.

Bob epitomised the need to drive our country forward, that "the world will not wait for us", and that Government is the best tool with which to give Australians better lives.

All of us in this place should continually strive to live up to those standards, to be the representatives that Australians deserve, and to have the courage of conviction to do what needs to be done.

To Blanche, Bob's children and all his family and friends, I pass on my sincere condolences.

Our country was lucky to have Bob - his legacy will last long.