Kevin Rudd has again proved himself king of the kids during a visit to a Cairns school, where he was mobbed by students keen for a photo.
The prime minister dropped in at the St Mary's Catholic College on Wednesday to announce $210 million to build new trades training centres for students to learn skills such as carpentry and joinery.
Mr Rudd and wife Therese Rein toured the school's trades workshop, led by 19 year-old Lachlan White.
But it was when he was escorted to the school's oval that more than 100 screaming students swarmed around Mr Rudd, all desperate for a "selfie" with Australia's celebrity PM.
"We love you," a number of students yelled out, as he shook hands and posed for photos.
"Kevin Rudd, yeah!" another yelled, showing a level of enthusiasm usually reserved for sporting idols or rock stars.
The students organised themselves into a giant peace sign to be filmed from a remote-controlled helicopter flying above the oval.
Addressing the students, Mr Rudd urged each of them to go out that day and look after someone who needed a helping hand.
"When it comes to manifesting peace in our lives, it's really important we do it locally, we do it nationally, we do it right across the world," Mr Rudd said.
"In everything you do today, become a bridge for peace," he added.
Mr Rudd is now en route to Brisbane, where he plans to spend the afternoon at the Ekka.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Rudd announced a re-elected Labor government would establish a new National Centre for Extreme Weather to help Australia better respond to natural disasters.
