Hawke in a famous band

Press, 23 November 1983, Page 25

Hawke in a famous band

NZPA London lan Hanson could barely restrain himself as he waxed lyrically about his latest creation — Bob Hawke. Mr Hanson is not some political mastermind but the head sculptor at the world famous Madame Tussaud waxworks which has unveiled the portrait figure of the Australian Prime Minister. “The Hawke charisma which swept Australia reached here too and was the reason we decided to do a sculpture of your Prime Minister,” Mr Hanson told Australian reporters. “I personally believe Mr Hawke is someone who is going to make his presence felt on the world scene on a long-term basis.” The sculpture, which took more than three months to complete and cost an estimated sAustll,3oo, is a good resemblance of Mr Hawke although some observers felt Mr Hawke looked “a little pasty.” Dressed in a smart blue

suit, Mr Hawke stands next to the model of the late Sir Robert Menzies, the only other Australian political leader at Madame Tussad’s. The only other Australian — in a different section of course — is Dame Edna Everage, the Barry Humphries character, who is as well known in Britain as Mrs Thatcher.