Australia's Finest cheer Tony Abbott as he leaves office and makes his way home to Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Moving tribute for ousted PM Tony Abbott before last hurrah at Kirribilli House

Ben McClellan
The Daily Telegraph
September 19 2015.

AS he boarded his Royal Australian Air Force VIP jet for the last time, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was given a round of applause by the crew in military uniform.

The touching gesture to a man, known on board as down to earth and polite, at Fairbairn air base in Canberra yesterday afternoon started Mr Abbott’s short trip to Sydney where he joined wife Margie to finish packing up their prime ministerial lives at Kirribilli House.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull departed in another RAAF jet an hour later.

Mr Abbott greeted his wife with a hug in the doorway before changing out of his suit and trademark blue tie and donning a blue jumper and jeans before packing his car.

Strapping his kayak to the top of his 1995 Mercedes-Benz 280, which he famously claimed in 2010 did not make him a “silvertail” because it was 15 years old, the former prime minister appeared like any 

other man moving home.

Margie Abbott scooped up their family dog Maisie as she carried flowers and a tennis ball thrower for the dog,

Why Abbott had to GO

Speaking publicly for the second time since his ousting on Monday, Mr Abbott told reporters outside the iconic waterfront property it had been a “tremendous honour” to serve his nation.

“Shortly, Margie and I will be driving out of Kirribilli House for the last time as residents,” he said.

“To the people of Australia, it has been a tremendous, a tremendous, honour to be your prime minister and I thank you very, very much indeed,” he said.

The Abbotts left in separate cars with Mr Abbott waving to the media as he drove off.

Despite driving off , he later returned to host a 40-year reunion for his former St Ignatius College classmates at Kirribilli House.

The swanky party for about 60 people was to celebrate a Saint Ignatius College, Riverview school reunion.

Mr Abbott could be seen swigging a beer as he eagerly awaited the class of 1975.

The first busload of guests arrived at 7.15pm on a Murrays Coach.

Mr Abbott barely showed his face outdoors except to meet and greet former school mates.

From beyond the gates of Kirribilli House, loud laughter, cheers and the rattling of bottles could be heard.
Just before 8pm a Murrays coach full of Mr Abbott’s former classmates arrived at the gate of the lodge.

The event had been planned a while ago and is being privately funded. Funds raised will go to charity, The Australian reports.

After two years at Kirribilli House, with its charming period setting and stunning harbour views, the Abbotts are set to return to their suburban home in the northern beaches suburb of Forestville.