The death of Lionel Bowen on 1st April, brought an end to a remarkable political career. Born in December 1922, he was the only child of a single mother. He left school at fourteen to help pay the bills, going on to attend night school and eventually becoming a lawyer. He went on to become Deputy Prime Minister in the Hawke Labor Government.
Lionel was born in Ultimo, Sydney and resided in inner Sydney all his life. He was a great story teller and Bob Carr, the present Foreign Minister, said at the time of his death that ‘’he knew the politics of suburban Australia like the back of his hand’’. To Lionel’s family we extend our deepest sympathy at his passing.
Brian Smiddy