BOB HAWK. PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA (1983 - 1991)

Bob Olley created a large sculpture of John Simpson Kirkpatrick the Shieldsman who became the hero of Gallipoli in the 1914 -18 war. Simpson (better known as the man and his donkey) joined the Australian Army Medical Corpse and saved the lives of many ANZAC soldiers during the ill fated campaign. The sculpture, commissioned by the Town Council to mark Australia's Bicentenary 1990, stands in Ocean Road, South Shields.

A limited edition of 200 small statues were produced and the first one was presented to the people of Australia. It was Bob's wish that it be presented to the Prime Minister by one of the Gallipoli veterans.

In accepting the statue on behalf of the nation, Mr Hawke said how the sheer guts shown by men like Simpson has helped to-days Australians develop a deep and abiding appreciation of the ANZAC tradition.
Prime Minister Hawke is on the left of the photograph

Click thumbnail for larger image

Back