Sample of realia
The BHPML has a diverse collection of realia from the Hawke era. Bob Hawke’s term as Prime Minister is known for the impact he had on the social fabric of the society he governed. No Australian Prime Minister has been the subject of various political, pop cultural and populist memorabilia to the extent of Hawke, from political campaign badges spanning his union days to government, to tea towels, teaspoons and t-shirts. Add to this the various items that represent the public image of Hawke, for example, a replica of the iconic America’s Cup jacket, and Bob Hawke and Blanche d'Alpuget’s wedding outfits, and a rich collection of the realia surrounding the life of Bob Hawke emerges.
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Panther motorcycle 1947 The model as owned by Bob Hawke at the age of 18 when he was a student at the University of Western Australia. Bob had a near fatal accident whilst riding through King’s Park, which he later credited as a turning point in his life, providing the motivation to live life to the fullest, and ultimately follow a political career. |
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Hawke 83 campaign badge 1983 Campaign badge as used in for the 1983 Federal election – the first to install Bob Hawke as Prime Minister. Hand-pressed plastic encasing cream-coloured paper with ‘Hawke ‘83’ printed in blue ink. Metal pin on reverse. 3.6 cm diameter. |
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ALP Commemorative Plaque 1983 A limited edition Commemorative Plaque issued in Hawke’s first year as Prime Minister. The ceramic plate features the names of other ALP Prime Ministers, including John Watson, Andrew Fisher, J. H. Scullin, John Curtin, Ben Chifley, and Gough Whitlam. 23cm x 23cm. |
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Bob for Jobs campaign badge c.1983 Badge with 'Bob for Jobs' slogan, featuring a black and white portrait of Bob Hawke. Text below the image reads 'Authorised by C. Schacht, 11 South Tce. Adelaide.' Hand-press plastic construction with metal safety pin. Reverse of badge features 'B.A.M.' (Badge-a-Matic) logo. 5.7cm diameter. |
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Give Bob the Job t-shirt c.1983 White cotton t-shirt, with printed colour graphic, ‘Give Bob the Job’ on a map of Australia. Approximately 56cm x 63cm. |
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Put Australia First campaign badge c.1984 Campaign badge for Federal election, featuring colour photographic portrait of Bob Hawke. Circular metal badge, 7cm diameter, with safety pin on the back. Includes ‘Patrick Bros Melbourne’ logo on reverse. |
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Leather ranch belt 1987 An official gift presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke from President Reagan during his overseas visit to Washington in 1985. The belt is tooled leather featuring botanical motifs, with a silver buckle inset with six turquoise cabachons, and a laser etched hand crafted ivory inset of the Australian Coat of Arms, by silversmith Don Swasey (1949-2003), Utah. 115cm in length, buckle 7.5cm x 6cm. |
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Australian Constitutional Convention Brisbane 1985 badge 1985 Metal lapel badge, red and cream enamel with gold detail. |
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Let’s Stick Together campaign badge 1987 Australian Labor Party campaign badge for the 1987 Federal election. Circular badge; 5.5cm diameter. |
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Australian Labor Party Anniversary Port 1984 1984 Customised ceramic port crock with colour print. Front features a printed graphic of Bob Hawke. Reverse text: ‘This tawny port, specially selected from the vineyards of All Saints at Wahgunyah, Victoria, commemorates the 1st Anniversary of the Hawke Labor Government elected March 5 1983.’ Base features Elischer Australia manufacturer’s stamp. Cork-sealed with original contents intact, 19.5cm x 10cm (750ml). |
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Bob Hawke teaspoon c.1998 Silver-plated collector’s teaspoon, with plastic inset of Bob Hawke portrait. 12cm x 2.5cm. |
The Archival Database (opens in new window) contains a growing range of digitised original documents, speeches, photographs and audio from the Hawke era. The database can be searched using various fields including keywords.