Hazel: My Mother's Story

by Sue Pieters-Hawke

Hazel Hawke is one of our most loved and respected Australians. As the wife of a prime minister she brought a down-to-earth warmth to Canberra that influenced everyone she came into contact with. Whether it was working to improve life for the disadvantaged, supporting the arts community or passionately advocating her belief in equality and social inclusion, we all felt her energy, her practicality and her immense capacity for humour and enjoyment.

From the age of eighteen Bob Hawke was the love of her life, yet their journey from youthful idealism to the political realities of Canberra was at times far from easy. The very strengths that made Hawke one of Australia's longest-serving and most successful leaders - his passion and comittment, his gregariousness and his drive - created their own tensions and issues within the family. After leaving the Lodge, their marriage famously fell apart.

But Hazel's life was undiminished, as she continued to build her role as an advocate for tolerance and fairness in the broader community and as a mother and a grandmother within her own family. Public love and support for Hazel reached a new peak eight years ago when she publicly announced she'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

This intimate, beautiful biography of an extraordinary woman is written by Hazel's eldest daughter, Sue Pieters-Hawke. Candid, revealing and fascinating, it explores Hazel's life as she navigated personal challenges and profound social changes, and celebrates her value as a mother, wife, role model and tireless worker for the rights and welfare of others.

Genres: Nonfiction

429 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm probably not alone in thinking that if I had to name the most inspirational Australian woman of my time I'd name Hazel Hawke. She had spirit, she had dignity, she had empathy, she had intelligence and she had courage in spades. This book delves wonderfully into Hazel's life, in a personal way only a daughter could have done. I loved it and I loved and miss Hazel Hawke. She was one of us and she showed by example how much women could achieve.

[Susan Belperio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was wonderful to get to know this most inspirational of Australian women and public figures, even better due to the sensitive way in which her loving daughter bought her story to us. In particular, the courage and honesty with which they faced her dementia journey together, then finding a way in which to 'come out' with 'the big A' in order to destigmatise this dreadful disease. The book was perhaps a little long, but so too were Hazel's many impressive achievements.

[Kellie Penfold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Pieters-Hawke did her mother a wonderful service with the writing of this beautiful book. You come out admiring Hazel for the woman she was and the way she and her friends and family managed her journey through this disease.

[Daryl Edmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for those of us who are starting in the role of carer for someone with Alzheimer's.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed 'getting to know' Hazel from those who knew her best.