Inside former PM’s homes turned into a KFC and Centrelink

PHOTO: John Howard’s childhood home in Earlwood is now a KFC

They might have once been prime minister, but that hasn’t stopped them from seeing their former homes demolished and replaced with a KFC, Centrelink and even a museum.

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.

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