“Like parts in an old car”: Bob Hawke’s moving letter to a young girl on dying
A mother-of-three has shared a heart-warming letter she received from former prime minister Bob Hawke when she was just seven years old.
Tracey Corbin-Matchett was a young girl trying to cope with the loss of her grandmother when she wrote to Mr Hawke, who died at the age of 89 at his Sydney home on Thursday.
“As a child struggling with my Nan's death, I wrote to PM Bob Hawke, to help my young mind understand why we die,” she wrote on Thursday evening.
“His letter back to me is my most treasured childhood memory!”
Now Tracey works in communications and shared the stunning reply that has struck a chord all throughout Australia as the letter has gone viral.
“The question you asked me about dying is very hard to answer and I think most of us have different ideas about why we do eventually all die,” Mr Hawke replied on July 23, 1985
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 pic.twitter.com/kqpEIYZKmq
— TraceyCorbinMatchett (@traceycm74) May 16, 2019
“Some people die because of unfortunate accidents, sometimes they become so ill that doctors are unable to help them to recover.
“Perhaps when we grow very old, our bodies get worn out, or certain parts break down, like parts in an old car.
“None of us can be sure of how long we will live. Because this is so I think you should try not to think too much about dying but think about all the nice things around you that make life so precious to us all.”
On Twitter, Amanda Perram also shared a heart-warming letter she had received from Mr Hawke after she had written about her fears of a nuclear war as a child.
She said his letter made her realise he “truly cared” and “had listened” to her concerns.
“He was a true leader,” she wrote.
The reply dated September 26, 1983 was written by a senior adviser on behalf of Hawke who agreed with her.
“The Prime Minister was pleased to hear that you are taking an active interest in this very important matter,” the letter said.
ABC journalist Connor Duffy received a letter that went on for two pages on behalf of the prime minister in 1991, who shared his concerns about the environment, poverty, the economy and recycling.
“I remember being so chuffed they made time for a know it all 9-year-old!” Duffy said.
The lengthy reply said the government was sending foreign aid to countries’ in need and had waved a sales tax on products made from recyclable materials.
It also detailed the government had “tried very hard” to create enough jobs for everyone despite the recession.