Sophie Conlon
Visitors to the Tatiara will be able to rest their heads in history, as Hawke House opens for tourist accommodation this week.
Hawke House was the childhood home of 23rd Australian Prime Minister Robert “Bob” Hawke and was purchased with federal government funding with the intent to create a museum.
Though that plan evolved into creating a unique tourist attraction, a historic accommodation site.
Tatiara District Council mayor Liz Goossens has seen the project bloom from beginning to end and said it had been rewarding.
“Everybody’s aware of Hawke House and where it is,” she said.
“It’s just nice to see it in beautiful pristine condition, ready to let the community and everybody come and stay and sleep in Bob Hawke’s house.”
Ms Goossens said even though the region was “very much a Liberal safe seat” and “Bob was a Labor man” everybody knew him and would have a story about him.
“I think there is that real connection,” she said.
“He was a true Aussie, and whether you love him or hate him, you’re happy to claim him.
“He’d be proud to think that the house has been restored.”
The house has gone through a complete renovation, including the instillation of a disabled access bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen.
Designed by Adelaide’s Mulloway Studio, Ms Goossens said the renovation was next level, keeping the historic aspects with a modern style.
“I think they’ve made some really smart choices and ones that I don’t know that we would have been game enough to do, or have the ability to do,” she said.
“The work they’ve done has really done the house justice.”
She was excited to see history would be literally embedded in the walls, with the use of infographic wallpaper detailing Hawke’s life.
“I think is a far more interesting with the interpretive wallpaper, rather than the traditional museum,” she said.
“This will be really exciting new way of looking at things.”
Local tradespeople completed most of the renovation and Ms Goossens said they had done a great job.
She said most people in Bordertown would have a connection to Hawke House, with it previously housing Centrelink and other local services, and would be glad to see it returned to it’s original glory.
“We’re now proud to be able to open the doors to the community and to people coming that need an accommodation,” she said.
“It can become a tourist attraction within itself.”
The community is invited to the official opening of Hawke House, which will take place on Friday, May 10, from 11am and Ms Goossens expected excitement with senator Don Farrell set to make an appearance.
