CANBERRA Raiders Chairman and local icon Allan Hawke passed away last night (August 31), aged 74, after a three-year battle with cancer.

Throughout his career Hawke served as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Paul Keating, secretary of three federal government departments, High Commissioner to New Zealand, Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) and most recently, Chairman of the Canberra Raiders.

In an interview with “CityNews” in 2020, Hawke said “I’ve had a most fortunate life, with opportunities to serve Australia’s national interests in ways that I could never have imagined.”

Hawke was born in Canberra on February 18, 1948, attended Queanbeyan High School, graduated from ANU in a Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) and as a Doctor of Philosophy.

Raiders CEO Don Furner paid tribute to Hawke – who had been on the Canberra Raiders Board since 2002 – and highlighted his many years of service and contribution.

“He led an extraordinary public and private life and was on many Boards, but I can say that the Board he loved being on the most was the Canberra Raiders,” said Furner.

“He was still watching us win against Manly on the weekend and was wearing his Raiders jersey in his hospital bed.

“On behalf of the whole Club we would like to pass on our deep condolences to his wife Maria, daughter Stephanie, his brother Phil, and their extended family. I know how much care and comfort Maria and Stephanie provided Allan during his health battle and it was fitting that they were by his side when he passed.”

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