Historical information

Prime Minister Bob Hawke had a strong trade union leadership background. A member of the Australian Labor Party, he became Prime Minister after only two years in Parliament, serving in that role from 1983 til 1991. He established an "Accord" between Government, business and unions. After winning four elections he lost a caucus ballot in favour of his treasurer, Paul Keating.

Sculptor Peter Nicholson was born in Melbourne in 1946. He become known for his cartoons, and in 1985 the "Rubbery Figures" TV puppets. When sculpting the busts, of Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, John Howard and Kevin Rudd he has imparted an expression of the character of the individual

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Physical description

A plaster marquette of the bust of Prime Minister Bob Hawke used for the bronze bust in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.