The city of Sydney stood together with the 1,600 guests at the Sydney Opera House as the city paid its final respects to the now deceased prime minister's wife. Though a solemn affair, the heartfelt performances and moving speeches served as a silver lining to the pall that overshadowed the city.

More than 1600 people packed the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House this afternoon to pay tribute to the woman credited with refining the role of prime minister's wife.

Mrs Hawke died on May 23 aged 83 after succumbing to dementia.

Julia Gillard was joined by former prime ministers John Howard, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd at the public memorial.

Mrs Hawke's former husband Bob arrived at the service with his daughter Rosslyn Dillon.

Broadcaster Margaret Throsby remembered Mrs Hawke as a champion of many causes and endeavours and a lover of music as well as an accomplished musician herself.

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