FORMER Australian prime minister Bob Hawke has lived up to his legendary status and sculled a beer in front of delighted fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the second Test between Australia and India.
The 82-year-old South Australian born Labor icon, famous for setting a world speed drinking record at Oxford University in the 1950s by downing a yard of ale (a yard glass – 2 and a half pints) in just 11 seconds, was offered a glass of beer by a SCG spectator on Wednesday at the cricket.
“One for the country, Robert,” someone yelled as Mr Hawke, without hesitation, sculled the glass in one gulp.
Australian prime minister from 1983 until December 1991, Mr Hawke is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most popular leaders and as well as his beer drinking exploits, is fondly remembered for his quote, “any boss who sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum”, after Australia II famously won the America’s Cup sailing race for the very first time in 1983.
It seems even now, in the twilight of his years, ‘Hawkey’ is still living up to his legendary reputation.
