Lionel Bowen
Postmaster-General | |
---|---|
In office 19 December 1972 – 12 June 1974 | |
Leader | Gough Whitlam |
Preceded by | Lance Barnard |
Succeeded by | Reg Bishop |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Kingsford Smith | |
In office 25 October 1969 – 19 February 1990 | |
Preceded by | Dan Curtin |
Succeeded by | Laurie Brereton |
Personal details | |
Born | Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia | 28 December 1922
Died | 1 April 2012 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | (aged 89)
Political party | Labor |
Spouse | Claire Clement |
Children | 8 |
Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Occupation | Solicitor |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1941–1945 |
Rank | Corporal |
Lionel Frost Bowen
Bowen was born in Sydney to a working-class family. He served in the
Early life
Bowen was born in the Sydney suburb of Ultimo. His father left the family when Bowen was aged 10 years and Bowen's mother looked after her invalid brother and elderly mother, while working as a cleaner.[1] Bowen was educated at Cleveland Street public school, Marcellin College Randwick and Sydney University where he graduated with a LLB in 1946 and became a solicitor. He served in the Second Australian Imperial Force from 1941 to 1945, reaching the rank of corporal.[2][3]
Political career
Bowen was elected to
Bowen played a relatively quiet role in politics, preferring to work behind the scenes.
When Whitlam resigned as Labor leader after his defeat at the
In 1988, Bowen sponsored four referendums to reform the Australian Constitution (see 1988 Australian referendum), but all were defeated. He retired from federal politics prior to the March 1990 election, and was succeeded as Deputy Prime Minister by Paul Keating.
Post political career
Bowen served as Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia between 1990 and 1995 and shared a strong interest in horseracing.[5]
In 1990, he was awarded the
Personal life
Bowen and his wife, Claire, married in 1953 and had three daughters and five sons. He lived in the same home in Kensington for 73 years.[5] His son, Tony, was a mayor of the City of Randwick.[10]
Bowen died from pneumonia on 1 April 2012.[11] after years afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.[5] He was given a state funeral on 11 April 2012.[12]
Legacy
The
Gallery
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Bowen with German Federal Minister of Justice Hans A. Engelhard in April 1987
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The Lionel Bowen Building in Goulburn Street, Sydney
References
- ^ a b "Lionel Bowen: the model deputy". ABC News. Australia. AAP. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ "Bowen, Lionel Frost". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen (1922–2012)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ a b Benson, Simon (2 April 2012). "Vale Lionel Bowen: a true working class hero". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d Humphries, David (3 April 2012). "Labor's anchor through turbulent era". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ Steketee, Mike (2 April 2012). "Legend of Labor Lionel Bowen never lost the touch". The Australian. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
- ^ "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen, Companion of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2008.
- ^ "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen, Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ^ Herbertson, Lisa (26 September 2012). "Tony Bowen elected as new mayor of Randwick Council". Southern Courier. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ Wroe, David (2 April 2012). "Death of Labor elder Bowen, who remained an everyday bloke". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "'Unique' Bowen farewelled at Sydney funeral". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Lionel Bowen Library and Community Centre, Maroubra". www.randwick.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ Hoenig, Ron (2 September 2013). "Ron Hoenig Member for Heffron: Lionel Bowen Park dedication". ronhoenig.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2017.