Hazel Hawke - a Brief Biography

Mrs Hawke has become a strong and active leader in issues relating to the community, family, the environment and the arts.

While perhaps achieving greatest prominence during the period of her ex-husband's prime ministership, Mrs Hawke had always worked independently and become involved in important social issues. Her profile today remains high.

Mrs Hawke was born in Perth in 1929 and educated at Mt Hawthorn State School and the Perth Central Girls School. In 1956 she married and worked at the Indian High Commission in Canberra. The Hawkes lived in Melbourne from 1958 to 1983. During this time Mrs Hawke pursued a Diploma of Welfare Studies.

Mrs Hawke lived in the prime minister's Lodge from 1983 to 1991, actively pursuing her interest in community work, women's and children's issues, music and the arts. In January 1992 the Hawkes moved to Sydney to live and in December her autobiography, My Own Life was published. She was divorced in 1995.

Among her numerous positions across a broad range of organisations, Mrs Hawke is Chair of the NSW Heritage Council, a Board member of the Australian Children's Television Foundation and Patron of the World Wide Fund for Nature.