As Fraser Grant (23), the HR rep for a mid-tier consulting company, sipped on his fifth schooner on Friday afternoon, a thought crossed his mind. A thought which would sum up his attitude to the evening’s frivolities, and a thought that has a very decent chance of leading him into the realm of alcohol poisoning.

‘Do it for Hawkie.’

Signalling to his mates that he’d get the next round, and mentioning that they ‘could be in for a big one tonight fellas,’ Fraser walked to the bar, with the inescapable thought bouncing around his head.

‘Do it for Hawkie.’

The news of the legendary Prime Minister’s death has affected millions of Australians, and none moreso than those who view Hawke as a titan of this country’s greatest pastime: having an honest beer.

For all his brilliant economic reforms, and his unparalleled capacity to reach both sides of the aisle whilst never losing his warmth and understanding for all Australians, Bob Hawke will forever be remembered as the lifelong Prince of Piss, the Emperor of the Empties, and the Tsar of Tsome beers.

And that undeniable Hawke legacy will weasel its way into the mind of Fraser tonight, as he returned to the table with four pints in hand.

‘We doing pints then, Frase?’ asked Harry du Veidt, the South African colleague who surprises everyone when he actually comes out for a beer.

‘Yeah mate, it’s what Hawkie would’ve wanted! Drink up boys, I’ve got a feeling we could be settling in for a long night.’

Whether Fraser makes it home at midnight and falls asleep on the couch in his wrecked shirt, or whether he’s found facedown in a gutter in the Valley slowly dying of alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis of the liver, we know one thing for sure.

Whenever a beer touches the lips of an Australian, Bob Hawke is always watching. And that’s the true promise for all Australians.

Vale. More to come.