From a KFC to a Centrelink: What the former homes of Australia’s prime ministers have become
In America they become monuments and museums. In Australia they can be flattened and replaced with a fried chicken outlet. American presidents’ former homes are revered but the homes linked to several Australian prime ministers have been demolished and replaced with everything from a Centrelink to a KFC.
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John Howard’s childhood home in Earlwood is now a KFC, Paul Keating’s former Bankstown residence was demolished for units after a heritage dispute, and the home where Scott Morrison grew up is a luxury mansion. Bob Hawke’s childhood home in Bordertown, South Australia, was purchased by the Federal government two years ago after it was used as a Centrelink.
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s childhood home in Bordertown, South Australia, was recently used as a Centrelink office.
Take a look at what the houses of Australia’s prime ministers have become since they once called them home:
Sir Edmund Barton — 20-24 Southey St, Mittagong and 37 White St, Balgowlah
Sir Edmund Barton once lived at the Balgowlah house known as Whitehall It is protected by Northern Beaches Council.
Two properties owned by Australia’s first prime minister are protected by local council under their Local Environmental Plans.
Built in 1886 by the headmaster of one of the nearby boarding schools, the Mittagong house went on to become the residence a decade before Sir Barton became prime minister.
The five-bedroom U-shaped homestead on 6300sqm is near the centre of Mittagong and last sold in 2018 for $2.2 million.
Barton also lived at 37 White St in Balgowlah for a number of years. Known as Whitehall, the stunning Victorian Gothic house was built in 1877 and last sold in 2015.
Scott Morrison —27 Evans St, Bronte
Scott Morrison grew up at this Bronte house.
It has now been replaced by designer home that sold for $8.425 million last year.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s family lived at 27 Evans St in Bronte for many years including when he was born in 1967.
The period home on Evans St was pulled down not long before Mr Morrison took over from Malcolm Turnbull in 2018 to make way for a luxury designer residence that received a Master Builders Award.
The stunning property sold last year for an impressive $8.425 million — well above the $2.27 million the developer paid for Mr Morrison’s childhood house in 2015.
Former Prime Minister John Howards’ childhood home was knocked down and replaced with a KFC. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian.
John Howard— 25 William St, Earlwood
The country’s second longest-serving prime minister grew up in the inner west suburb of Earlwood.
His childhood was spent living in a humble Californian bungalow house at 25 William St while his parents operated two fuel outlets in neighbouring Dulwich Hill.
While Mr Howard now lives on the north shore of Sydney, his childhood house was demolished decades ago to make way for a KFC fast food restaurant.
Paul Keating — 3 Marshall St, Bankstown
Paul Keating grew up at this Fibro shack in Bankstown.
It was demolished several years ago for an apartment block. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian.
Paul Keating, who was the last Labor leader to serve a full term as prime minister, grew up in the southwest of Sydney.
Mr Keating lived in a fibro-walled house at 3 Marshall St in Bankstown. In 2000, the local council considered buying the house where his parents Matt and Min raised their four kids between 1942 and 1966.
The house was found to have had historical value was protected by under a Local Environment Plan, but the owner protested and it was soon removed. This allowed a developer to receive approval to destroy the house in 2014 and build an apartment complex.
Gough Whitlam— 32 Albert St, Cabramatta
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The former Cabramatta house of Gough Whitlam has been saved and will be turned into a community centre.
Gough Whitlam’s former residence where he lived during his time as a politician was purchased this year for over $1.1 million by a Labor syndicate who want to save his house after three others were destroyed.
In June, the Federal government announced it would provide up to $1.3 million to purchase the house from the syndicate and restore it to its former glory. It will be operated by the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University.
The house is largely unchanged from when Mr Whitlam lived at the address.
Whitlam Institute director Leanne Smith said the Whitlam Institute was finalising plans for the property, but planned to use it to mark the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government’s election next year once the home was restored with funds provided by Canberra.
William McMahon — 18 Drumalbyn Rd, Bellevue Hill
Sir William McMahon owned a large estate in Bellevue Hill.
The Liberal prime minister might have lost the 1972 election to Gough Whitlam, but he certainly came out on top in the property stakes.
Sir McMahon owned a harbour view home in Bellevue Hill, which was purchased in the name of his wife, Lady Sonia, for $123,000 in 1968.
It sold in 2019 for $15.75 million after undergoing the home’s first major renovation and upgrade in decades to include amenities such as a tennis court.
Ben Chifley — 10 Busby St, South Bathurst
Ben Chifley’s house is now a museum. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian
Ben Chifley’s home in Bathurst is a local tourist destination along with Mt Panorama.
The property was purchased by Bathurst Council in 1972 following a public appeal after the death of Mr Chifley’s wife, Elizabeth. The couple had lived at the property from 1914 until both of their deaths in the 1960s.
Mr Whitlam opened the house as a museum in 1973 and an educational centre has since opened up next door.
It is the only property on the NSW State Heritage Register because of its connection to a former prime minister.