WA Premier Mark McGowan unrecognisable in childhood photograph

A popular Aussie politician is almost unrecognisable in a childhood photograph taken long before he started enjoying rock star fame.

Wildly popular West Australian Premier Mark McGowan is currently enjoying a rock star level of fame and sex symbol status — and it turns out he was a cute child too.

A photograph from his primary school years shows the Labor leader slightly squinting and smiling.

His buttoned shirt is tucked into his shorts and his hands are by his side.

The Premier’s hair also appears lighter — and longer — than it is today.

WA Premier Mark McGowan as a young boy in primary school. Picture: Supplied

The Premier’s office could not say exactly how old Mr McGowan was in the photograph.

Mr McGowan and his younger brother were raised in regional NSW, with their parents Dennis and Mary running a small business.

The 53-year-old was later educated at the University of Queensland, where he studied law and arts.

Mark McGowan pictured with his parents Dennis and Mary in 1995. He was aged in his 20s at the time. Supplied: WA Labor

He then moved to Western Australia with the Royal Australian Navy in 1991, becoming a lieutenant and serving as an legal officer at HMAS Stirling until 1996.

After rescuing an unconscious driver from a burning car, Mr McGowan was awarded the Governor-General’s Commendation for Bravery in 1997.

Having served the Rockingham community as the deputy mayor, he was later elected to state parliament in December 1996.

Mark McGowan was often seen wearing glasses in his younger years.

Mr McGowan became the Premier in 2017 and during the COVID-19 pandemic his popularity has soared.

The Liberal Party was decimated at the state election last weekend, with Labor snatching many blue-ribbon seats.

On Wednesday, the Labor caucus was forced to squeeze into parliament’s dining room because no other space was big enough to accommodate their first meeting.

Premier Mark McGowan took selfies with the public as he walked along the boardwalk with his family in Rockingham on the morning after the state election. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

The Premier met his wife Sarah at the 1993 federal election when she was working part-time for the Electoral Commission.

They married in 1996 and are raising three children — Samuel, Alexander and Amelia.

Mr McGowan’s family were by his side on election night and the following morning when he held a press conference in Rockingham and took selfies with members of the public.