It was the final day of campaigning few could have ever predicted.
Condolences were offered, flowers laid and memories recalled.
But as Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten paid tribute to the nation's 23rd prime minister, hovering above them was uncertainty about who would hold that title come Sunday morning.
The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader were effusive in their praise of the legacy Bob Hawke leaves behind.
The legacies they might create have been central to the vision they've spent the last five weeks pitching to voters.
Remembering Bob Hawke
Both leaders offered initial thoughts in the late hours of Thursday night after news about Mr Hawke's death broke.
For Mr Shorten, it meant a change of campaign plans.
He started the morning with a visit to Mr Hawke's wife, Blanche d'Alpuget.
"It's been very, very sustaining and energetic — and I think it's been wonderful for Australia to remember that love is what you need," she told the media through the gate of her home.
It proved just the beginning of Hawke-related events for Mr Shorten, visiting the Sydney Opera House, home to where the former PM launched his own federal election campaigns, and a Melbourne pub synonymous with the former Labor leader.
"He was my inspiration. Then he became my friend," Mr Shorten said.
"Now the nation owns him and his legacy."
The Opposition Leader laid flowers on the steps of the Opera House with a card that read:
"Australians loved you. We will remember you. Solidarity forever."
Though keen to allow for reflection on a past prime minister, the incumbent and the man seeking his job knew all too well the stakes before them.
Mr Morrison used his last day of campaigning to barnstorm through seats he'll likely need to win if he wants to remain PM.
He started his whirlwind trip with a stop in Longman, his first of the campaign, which Labor currently holds by 0.8 per cent.
Neither leader nor their deputies had visited Longman this campaign, perhaps surprising giving its ultra-marginal status.
What came next this morning was the Labor-held Herbert, 0.02 per cent, Liberal-held Leichhardt, 3.9 per cent, and Nationals-held Flynn, 1 per cent.
And that was just by lunchtime.
"We're going to continue to campaign every single second between now and when the polls close tomorrow," an energised Mr Morrison declared.
The afternoon brought with it a trip to Nowra and the seat of Gilmore in NSW as the PM made a last-minute pitch to get his captain's pick, the former Labor Party president Warren Mundine, elected.
The seats shaping the election
Both leaders ended their campaign returning to where it began.
For Mr Morrison, the offer is more of the same.
He's arguing he'll guarantee a strong economy, tax cuts and assistance to first-home buyers.
Mr Shorten, meanwhile, says a Labor government will create a fairer society that supports all Australians across the socio-economic spectrum.
He's hoping billions for healthcare, particularly cancer, and greater budget surpluses will help him become the PM.
The final judge of their promises will come when the nation heads to the polls on Saturday.
There's one day to go.
