Blanche allows public into home she shared with Bob Hawke
She had just attended a church service marking the 100 days since her former husband Bob Hawke’s passing. So the sight of strangers inspecting the entire contents of her Northbridge home today was a bit too much for Blanche d’Alpuget.
NSW
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The emotion of throwing open the doors of her North Sydney property to the public allowing them to inspect the entire home’s contents before auctioning them off wasn’t lost on Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget.
“Bob … was my favourite item but he’s gone so everything else can go,” Ms d”Alpuget told The Sunday Telegraph.
Hundreds of items — from art pieces to furniture — will be sold at auction on Tuesday August 27 with the public today given the chance to inspect them in person.
Ms d’Alpuget arrived at the home shortly after 12.30pm, having earlier attended a church service commemorating 100 days since Mr Hawke’s death.
Ms d’Alpuget was overcome with emotion, later retreating to the home’s kitchen as strangers wandered through inspecting once treasured items.
She revealed in July she was selling the home in a bid to “down size”
“I’m just amazed the home was open, how elegant, the design is very modern and the paintings are absolutely lovely, I especially like the horse racing ones,” Ruth Rock, 76, said.
For Susi Curtis, 58, the furniture what brought her to the viewing.
‘We have a few of the couches for sale here, and we are looking to replace them so that’s the big ticket item for me’
Shapiro Auctioneers and Gallery’s managing director Andrew Shapiro said the most expensive items to go under the hammer were the couple’s impressive art collection.
“In particular, The Drover’s Wife by Hugh Sawrey has been popular because it always hung in his office, and is always a famous piece,” Mr Shapiro said.
The other is a painting by Euan Macleod.
Mr Shapiro said they are both expected to fetch between $15,000 and $20,000 each.
His personal favourite item is Mr Hawke’s “lager chest” complete with beer.
“It’s my favourite because it’s just a great piece of Australiana,” he said.
Doug Kelly, 41, was most interested in the cigar collection.
“Seeing all his cigars and cigar-related items has been fascinating,” he said.
The family home at 3 Minimbah Road, Northbridge will be open to the public for viewing again on Sunday — ahead of Tuesday night’s auction.