Labor luminary Barry Cohen has been remembered for his inimitable wit and irrepressible advocacy during an upbeat memorial in Canberra.
The state service at Old Parliament House - where the former Hawke government minister spent all but three years of his more than two decades in office - honoured a man who dedicated his life to the community.
Past and present political leaders, family and friends gathered to pay their respects to the former arts, heritage and environment minister who died in December aged 82 after battling Alzheimer's disease.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Cohen's lasting appeal lay in his ability to blend frivolity with deep and heartfelt sincerity.
"Behind the laughter was a man who felt acutely and cared profoundly," Mr Turnbull said on Monday.
In 1969, Mr Cohen won the NSW Central Coast seat of Robertson, which had been Liberal for 20 years, and held onto it until his retirement in 1990.
His most lasting achievements involved protecting some of Australia's greatest natural wonders.
Mr Hawke praised his colleague's "marvellous contribution" in protecting the Tasmanian wilderness, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Kakadu National Park.
He too reflected fondly on Mr Cohen's trademark good humour.
"I can assure you what wasn't hilarious was his taking my money consistently on the golf course," Mr Hawke said.
"I should have known better than taking on a challenge of someone who once dreamed of being a professional golfer."
The celebratory Jewish folk song Hava Nagila filled the Members Dining Room mid-service, much to the delight of Mr Hawke, who waved along with his walking stick held aloft.
"I've got to say that's the first time I've sung a joyous song as a memorial service - I'm quite happy with how it went," Rabbi Shmueli Feldman said.
Labor legend Fred Daly once warned Mr Cohen, then a young backbencher: "Cut out the comedy. You're a very funny young man, but it won't help you."
"Just how lucky we are that Barry ignored that advice," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.
When his time in public life ended, and as he developed dementia, Mr Cohen became a tireless campaigner for finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
"When we find the cure, when every older Australia and their family can enjoy a life of greater dignity and security, Barry Cohen will be due a measure of great credit," Mr Shorten said.
Stuart Cohen said his father was a "funny bastard" and an ordinary bloke - "not a lawyer, a party hack or a union rep" - who fought relentlessly to improve indigenous rights.
"Barry Cohen, my dad, was a passionate man in just about everything and anything he pursued," he said.
"Nothing by half measure, nothing left undone, he never took a step back."
He concluded: "I love my dad, with and without his flaws. I'm very proud of his achievements."
