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Bob Hawke’s childhood home subject of $750,000 sale and renovation

The government will buy and renovate the childhood home of former Labor PM Bob Hawke.

Bob Hawke’s childhood home will get a renovation.
Bob Hawke’s childhood home will get a renovation.

The Morrison government will spend $750,000 buying and renovating the childhood home of former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke, who died two days before the May 18 election.

Hawke was born at the property – known as Hawke House — at the regional South Australian town of Bordertown in 1929.

Scott Morrison said the purchase would protect the heritage value of the property and commemorate the life of Labor’s longest serving prime minister.

“Bob Hawke made an extraordinary contribution to Australian life and holds a special place in the hearts of Australians,” the Prime Minister said in a statement this morning.

“Australians loved him and he loved them back. Every Australian felt connected to him, regardless of their politics, and he was big enough that we entitled an era after him — the Hawke era.

“His childhood home is a significant part of our national story and preserving it will enable current and future generations to celebrate his life, achievements and substantial role in our democratic history.”

It will join a list of former prime minister’s homes that are preserved by the government, including Ben Chifley’s, John Curtin’s and Joe and Enid Lyons’s.

Hawke was Australia’s 23rd prime minister and lead the nation from 1983 to 1991. He died aged 89.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/bob-hawkes-childhood-home-to-get-750000-renovation/news-story/bbfa7be1ae60c2008aa2df8163b6b6f7