"Our bodies get worn out." Bob Hawke's letter to a girl who asked him about her nan's death.

When she was a young girl, Tracey Corbin’s grandmother passed away.

It was an understandably confusing time for the seven-year-old from Peakhurst, NSW, so she looked around for someone to help her understand death.

She settled on Bob Hawke, the prime minister at the time, who passed away on May 16, 2019, aged 89.

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

Now Tracey Corbin-Matchett, she described receiving Hawke’s personal reply as her most treasured childhood memory.

“The question you asked me about dying is very hard to answer,” Hawke wrote.

“I think most of us have different ideas about why we do eventually die.

“Some people die because of unfortunate accidents, sometimes because they become so ill that doctors are unable to help them to recover. Perhaps when we grow old our bodies get worn out, or certain parts break down, like parts in an old car.”

Side note: Here is Mia Freedman’s chat with Bob Hawke’s wife Blanche. Post continues after podcast.

He went on to offer young Corbin some advice:

“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.”

Hawke was a prolific letter writer. He regularly responded to children who expressed their concerns about everything from rubbish and recycling to nuclear war, and asked his team to apologise on his behalf if he could not personally write back.

Since news broke of his death, those who received letters from the former PM have dug them out of drawers and boxes to share on social media, showing just how much of an approachable leader Hawke was.

I can’t remember why on earth I was so worried at such a young age about nuclear war to write a letter to the PM about it, but I sure remember getting this letter back from Bob Hawke. I felt like he truly cared. I felt like he had really listened. He was a true leader. RIP ???? pic.twitter.com/gylCIEVWTM

— ???????? Amanda Perram (@AmandaPerram) May 16, 2019

My letter from Mr Hawke, 1988 pic.twitter.com/bcf2kLSJUP

— Penelope Modra (@pennymodra) May 16, 2019

Vale Bob Hawke – woke up to the news via text from mum who sent me this letter I got back from his office after I’d sent him one asking about recycling, the environment, poverty and the economy! I remember being so chuffed they made time for a know it all 9 year old! pic.twitter.com/VfTFMlxZHG

— Conor Duffy (@conorduffynews) May 16, 2019

36 years ago, as a young kid from the country, I wrote to PM Hawke after meeting him at the Adelaide Test and giving him one of my lifesavers.

A couple of years ago I showed him the letter he wrote back to me #ValeBob #riphawkie pic.twitter.com/91ZVbCY7Qo

— Jessica Adamson (@JessAdamson7) May 16, 2019

As a kid I got angry about rubbish in my local park, so I decided to write to Bob Hawke. Probably my first act of political engagement. I drew him a picture too of my dream park. Got the best signed letter back, despite my clear confusion about levels of Government. #ValeBobHawke

— Joy Kyriacou (@joykyriacou) May 16, 2019

I wrote a letter to Bob Hawke when I was 7 years old. He wrote back to me.

I made everyone stop talking when I saw him on the tv.

I’m saddened to hear of his passing today. #RIPBobHawke

— AJ (@itsArnaNotAnna) May 16, 2019

Somewhere in a cupboard I have a letter that Bob Hawke sent me when I was about 10. I wrote and asked him to help the children who were starving overseas and he promised he would do what he could #RIPBobHawke

— Gayle McNaught (@GayleMcNaught) May 16, 2019

one of the highlights of my young life was getting a reply to a letter i’d written to Bob Hawke because i was worried about the Gulf War (normal 10yo things). it wasn’t from him personally, but it was signed off with “Mr Hawke sends his very best wishes to you.” i treasured it.

— Jen (@fordtippex) May 16, 2019

Hawke’s final letter came just the day before his death, when he wrote an open letter to Australians endorsing Bill Shorten in tomorrow’s election.