Lionel Bowen

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Postmaster-General
In office
19 December 1972 – 12 June 1974
LeaderGough Whitlam
Preceded byLance Barnard
Succeeded byReg Bishop
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Kingsford Smith
In office
25 October 1969 – 19 February 1990
Preceded byDan Curtin
Succeeded byLaurie Brereton
Personal details
Born(1922-12-28)28 December 1922
Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
Died1 April 2012(2012-04-01) (aged 89)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyLabor
SpouseClaire Clement
Children8
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
OccupationSolicitor
Military service
AllegianceAustralia Australia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army
Years of service1941–1945
RankCorporal

Lionel Frost Bowen

deputy prime minister of Australia in the Hawke government
from 1983 to 1990.

Bowen was born in Sydney to a working-class family. He served in the

Minister for Trade (1983–1984) and Attorney-General (1984–1990) until his retirement from politics in 1990, and was later chair of the National Gallery of Australia
.

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

Whitlam cabinet
.

Bowen played a relatively quiet role in politics, preferring to work behind the scenes.

Kim Beazley Senior), when he managed to split the opposition and win National Party support in the Senate for needs-based funding for non-government schools.[6]

When Whitlam resigned as Labor leader after his defeat at the

, losing the Trade portfolio.

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

Companion of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to the community and politics."[8] In 2001, he received a Centenary Medal.[9]

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

Federal Magistrates Court are located in the Lionel Bowen Building in Goulburn Street, Sydney.[citation needed] The City of Randwick main library is known as the Lionel Bowen Library.[13] Lionel Bowen Park is situated in the suburb of Mascot.[14]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b "Lionel Bowen: the model deputy". ABC News. Australia. AAP. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Bowen, Lionel Frost". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen (1922–2012)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b Benson, Simon (2 April 2012). "Vale Lionel Bowen: a true working class hero". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Humphries, David (3 April 2012). "Labor's anchor through turbulent era". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  6. ^ Steketee, Mike (2 April 2012). "Legend of Labor Lionel Bowen never lost the touch". The Australian. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. .
  8. ^ "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen, Companion of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2008.
  9. ^ "Mr Lionel Frost Bowen, Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  10. ^ Herbertson, Lisa (26 September 2012). "Tony Bowen elected as new mayor of Randwick Council". Southern Courier. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  11. ^ Wroe, David (2 April 2012). "Death of Labor elder Bowen, who remained an everyday bloke". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  12. ^ "'Unique' Bowen farewelled at Sydney funeral". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Lionel Bowen Library and Community Centre, Maroubra". www.randwick.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  14. ^ Hoenig, Ron (2 September 2013). "Ron Hoenig Member for Heffron: Lionel Bowen Park dedication". ronhoenig.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
Civic offices
Preceded by Mayor of Randwick
1951
Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Randwick
1955
Succeeded by
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Kingsford Smith
1969–1990
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Postmaster-General

1972–1974
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
1983–1990
Succeeded by
Minister for Trade

1983–1984
Succeeded by
Preceded by Attorney-General
1984–1990
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
1977–1990
Succeeded by