Labor heavyweights from Bob Hawke's government have gathered in Adelaide to mark the upcoming 80th birthday of the former prime minister.

Current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also paid tribute to the former Labor leader in a video message at a function on Thursday in the Hawke Centre, part of the University of South Australia.

Mr Rudd described Mr Hawke as still the "star attraction" in the Labor movement and praised his government for opening up the federal economy to form the basis of a fairer society.

"You moved Australia into the modern era of a global society," Mr Rudd said.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann said Mr Hawke had inspired generations of Australians with his words and actions, while former federal opposition leader Kim Beazley said he was Australia's greatest peacetime prime minister.

Another former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam sent a written tribute describing Mr Hawke as one of Labor's greatest leaders while current federal Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong reflected on her memories of the election of the first Hawke government.

"It felt like a new era, a more hopeful Australia, a confident Australia," she said.

As a host of his former parliamentary colleagues looked on, Mr Hawke said he was fortunate to have, "without question" the most talented cabinet and ministry of any federal government.

He said when he came to power he felt the country was at war with itself, with no sense of common purpose.

"Australia had to become reconciled, we had to move together," Mr Hawke said.

The former PM turns 80 on December 9.