Sunrise presenter James Tobin reflects on meeting Bob Hawke

James Tobin shared his memories of Bob Hawke in a touching post on Instagram on Thursday.

The 40-year-old Weekend Sunrise weather presenter revealed it had been exactly seven years since he’d first met the former Prime Minister.

‘I’m glad we got such a dignified photo… although Bob Hawke knew how to have fun,’ he captioned a photo of himself dressed in a lion costume while crouching down alongside the late politician.

James revealed the photo had been taken at a charity event for The Jack Newton Celebrity Classic, which raises money for diabetes and up-and-coming pro-golfers.  

‘The photo is from fancy dress day at @thejackcc. Bob was the patron and every year he’d turn up to support The Jack Newton Foundation, junior golf and diabetes,’ he continued. 

‘The highlight was always at the official dinner when he’d delight the crowd by whole heatedly [sic] singing Waltzing Matilda… to rapturous applause.’

James said he’d even driven Hawke back to Sydney after the event, which was held in the Hunter Valley. 

‘A moment I’ll treasure was the year I gave Bob a lift home from the Hunter Valley to Sydney. Three hours of one on one conversation with the great man,’ he revealed. 

‘I had a million questions and he was happy to answer them all but he was more interested in my opinions, not talking about himself. 

‘When we got to his place he invited me in for a coffee and we chatted on his balcony while he smoked a cigar. Vale Bob Hawke.’

Hawke died in May last year at the age of 89 following a short illness, and was farewelled with a state memorial at the Sydney Opera House.

He served as Prime Minister of Australia from 1983 until 1991, winning three consecutive elections, and was responsible for creating Medicare and initiating superannuation.