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Late Hazel Hawke was not only a first lady that such a lady was left who looked after a P.M.and brought suc- to mind her own busi- Hazel Hawke earned the respect and admi- cess to him. She was the real strength ness late in life. Is it a ration of a nation for her genuine interest and and the anchor that depended tradition witn Australian generosity in working with a variety of disad- on for his long career as Prime Minister of politicians to give up vantaged persons including Ahstralianothr Ausrtralia. their wives when they social gruops. Aborigenes and other social have done their duty ? groups. When Bob Hawke decided to procced to In any caes Hawke was England to study at Oxford, his fiance followed by his succes- She must be admiresd as a lady whon did Hazel tok the bold decision to give up her sor in not want to enjoy the glory of being the work and go with him perhaps aware of the dumping his wife soon P.M.'s wife, but was keen to use that position nature of the man she had become after losing his job. as a lever to reach out to the needy and the attached to. Anita Keating was some- helpless. None of her children wanted to one he met in the air, bask in the glory of their father. In fact, one Hazel Peterrson, a young girl from , when she was working son, who went to the Northern Territory to met the young .an at a church function. for a Dutch Airline. The work for the Aborigines even refuesed to use Miss Peterson was perhaps the second other notable politician the father's surname because that gave him such girl to give up everything and accom- to dump his wife was an unwanted advantage. pany her man to England. The otherper- John Hewson, who how- For her social work and dedication Hazel Hawke was honoured by the nation and praised by all irrespective of their political dif- ferences. This was obvious when Opposition Leader Toony Abbott spoke in Parliament on the motion of condolence moved by the P.M.

With all the work done by Australian femi- nists and activists, women in still lag behim most developed countries in the son I can think of is Mrs. Dhypna Clarke, ever did not get the job avenues and recognition that they have already married to Dr. Manning Clarke, he wanted, before them. One must not forget the way , She was an educated woman who knew a Dr.Carmen Lawrence number of languages in addition to My mind goes back to my and even Cheryl English,with bright future prspects, but all motherland, where wives Kernot were pulled of politicians have done far HAZEL THE FIRST LADY down from their that did not matter when it came to the future of her man. better. Therevwerev three pedestals. If they P.M.s who did not have a power, except pedrhapds the almost dead were men they would Hazel too was such a woman giving up wife of his own. Sir John has had a wife, but have been excused easily. everything for the sake of her future hus- dynasty of E. Premadasa. His son has was a bachelor when he bacame P.M. messed up his chances, while all the band. Not only did she tolerate him when Dudley and W.D. were confirmed bachelors The accusations and attacks that are a con- he went for contests like the beer drinking Senanayakes and Bandaranaikes have though of two different kinds. D.S., SWRD, exhausted their stock. stant feature as regards the current P.M, also show which he won, she even stood by him J'R', and Premadasa had their wives wth oes tom prove this tendency very popular when he was notb fiaithful to her. It is not a them right through their political life and one Coming back to,our subject, the lady who with the local press. Even her dress rare thing for a woman to do, but in the went on to take the job held by her husband. becomes a target for attack; whereas no man case of Hawkes it was in broad day light. I accompanied Bob Hawke to England She in fact, created a political dynasty which came back with him and is ever attacked for what he wears unless, of feel the whole country admired the lady for ended with her daughter becoming the first course, it is something horribly wrong. that. saw him becoming the P. M. of the county. woman President of Sri Lanka. She stood with him all the way until he Some of these critics fail to understand that a Although I have no right to criticise a man decided to give her up, of course. woman has to think of her appearance all the for giving up his woman, I feel rather sad Sri Lanka now has no dynasty to look for time. In this regard, I think, does Her childern were all behind her when she pretty well. developed alziema and still continued to work for the commnunity. Just like Jim The nation's admiration and respect should styne later, she used her illness as a go to this lady who did serve her motherland source of inspiration to offer comfort and up to her last moment, bringing the position advice to others who needed help. This is of woman respectabilty and recognition that it a rather rare Australian quality which I find deserves. lacking even in my own motherland.

10 JUNE 2013 www.sannasa.net - www.sannasa.com