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In the end, it came down to the helicopter.
The mode of transportation that led to Bronwyn Bishop's downfall also led - perhaps inevitably - to digitally-altered pictures of the former Speaker standing on the steps of a helicopter doing the iconic Richard Nixon salute.
Mrs Bishop announced on Sunday she would be stepping down from the Speaker's chair after weeks of coverage surrounding her seemingly extravagant use of travel entitlements.
In an abrupt press conference called by Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Sunday afternoon, she was officially sent on her way. She had done her duty for the country, he said, in stepping down.
But the official line was never going to satisfy social media.
Within minutes of the announcement, she was boarding a helicopter through the power of Photoshop.
@BernardZuel pic.twitter.com/yrBTl1Lnwh
— Lucy Carter (@lucethoughts) August 2, 2015
By some, her farewell was imagined from a familiar vantage point: the air.
Exclusive: Image released showing Bishop's view from chopper after resigning as Speaker. #auspol pic.twitter.com/n0PTktyvU9
— Adam Spence (@AdamSpenceAU) August 2, 2015
Another trend was the hashtag "#PutYourWalletsOut", which played on the widespread memorial after cricketer Philip Hughes' death.
#PutYourWalletsOut #choppergate #auspol pic.twitter.com/pRgf5U9rLS
— Steve Lopez (@slopezAU) August 2, 2015
In the end she took just one helicopter flight too many. Vale Bronwyn Bishop. #putyourwalletsout #choppergate pic.twitter.com/p9Kuwp5TgT
— Andrew Braskic (@braskic) August 2, 2015
#putyourwalletsout pic.twitter.com/NA9piEc3sH
— Sir John of Rabbit (@Bunnyboi007) August 2, 2015
But perhaps the most mesmerising goodbye was from Clive Palmer, who released a video that wished the Speaker adieu four days before she actually stepped down.
The video inspired its own social media reactions.
#Choppergate may be dead but it lives on in our hearts.Image inspired by this classic Clive Palmer moment: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iX1A0UfEcdUImage credit: Heather#auspol #BronwynBishop Posted by The Simpsons against the Liberals on Sunday, 2 August 2015
While Mrs Bishop's departure offered a chance to poke fun, for some it signalled the end of an era - and inspired only sadness.
I miss Bronnie. Twitter was heaps of fun during #Choppergate.
— oneplanetmikey (@oneplanetmikey) August 2, 2015
Fairfax Media