Top 10 Interesting Facts about John Howard

Top 10 Interesting Facts about John Howard

Former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. Author: Helene C. Stikkel. WIKIMEDIA

John Winston Howard is an Australian former politician who previously served as the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007. Howard was born on 26th July 1939 and raised in Sydney’s suburb area of Earlwood.

The family of John Winston Howard were Methodists. Howard’s father was known as Lyall Howard and his mother was Mona McKell of English, Scottish and Irish descent.

The father of John Howard and his paternal grandfather were veterans of the First AIF in World War One. His family also ran two Dulwich Hill petrol stations where John Howard worked while he grew up.

The mother of John Howard was an office worker who left her job after she got married to Lyall Howard. John Howard had three siblings; Stanley, Walter, and Robert.

His childhood name was Jack and grew up as a great admirer of Winston Churchill who was his mentor. John Howard grew up intending to become a great future leader which he became.

He is the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia in his eleven years tenure in office. This is after Sir Robert Menzies who served for eighteen non-consecutive years.

Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts about John Howard:

1. Howard Worked at His Family’s Petrol Stations as a Young Boy

John Howard as a boy. Photo Sourced from WIKIMEDIA

John Howard’s father and his paternal grandfather, Walter Howard were very hardworking businessmen. The two served in the First AIF in World War One, then went ahead to open and run two Dulwich Hill petrol stations.

As a young lad, John Howard was at the family’s petrol stations before his father passed away. At the age of 16 in 1955, the father of John Howard died and was left under the care of his mother.

2. Howard Suffered a Hearing Impairment that Affected his Academic Performance

During his youthful life, John Howard suffered from a hearing impairment that threatened his academic performance. Not much is known about the hearing impairment but he continues wearing the hearing aid.

The hearing impairment that Howard suffered in his youth left him with a slight speech impediment. Other than that, this condition limited his early academic performance.

However, he relied largely on his excellent memory. He ruled out becoming a barrister as his likeliest career.

3. Howard’s Hobbies were Cricket and Rugby

John Howard attended Earlwood Primary school and later joined Canterbury Boys’ High school. During his high school period, Howard discovered his interests and hobbies in various sports.

Howard participated in Debating and his hobbies were cricket and rugby. He presented Canterbury Boys’ High school in several competitions.

Cricket has always remained to be a lifelong hobby for John Howard. While in primary school, John Howard won the citizenship prize which was presented to his local politician Eric Willis.

4. Howard Completed Studying Law and Decided to Tour Around the World

After completing his secondary school education, John Howard joined the University of Sydney to study law. In 1962, John Howard graduated with a Bachelor of Laws.

He began working for a renowned firm of Stephen Jaques and Stephen as a junior solicitor. This is where he got the urge of travelling across the world.

In 1964, John Howard decided to make a trip across the world and explore. He visited Britain, Europe, Israel, India and Singapore before returning to Sydney.

5. Howard Served as Federal President of the Young Liberals

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Author: R D Ward. WIKIMEDIA

John Howard grew up as a great admirer of Winston Churchill and had an interest in politics. In 1957, he joined the Liberal Party.

John Howard became a member of the party’s New South Wales state executive. He, later on, served as the federal president of the Young Liberals from 1962 to 1964.

During this period, John Howard supported Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. However, he believes that some aspects could have been handled and explained differently.

6. Howard’s Mother Sold their Family House to Support his Political Ambitions

Philip Wollen and John Howard. Author: BravoCharlie. WIKIMEDIA

In 1967, John Howard decided to get involved in politics. He received the support of party power brokers John Carrick and Eric Willis.

John Howard was endorsed as the candidate for the marginal suburban state seat of Drummoyne. His mother had to sell their family home to support his ambitions.

Howard’s mother sold the home to rise money and rent a house for him at Five Dock within the electorate. In February 1968, John Howard lost the elections narrowly even though he campaigned vigorously.

7. Howard Became Australia’s Youngest Treasurer at the Age of 38

John Howard at USS Kitty Hawk. Photo Sourced from WIKIMEDIA

John Howard got involved more in politics even though he lost his first election. At the age of 38 in December 1977, John Howard was appointed as the treasurer by Fraser in his government.

Howard became the youngest treasure since Chris Watson in 1904. Fraser defended his decision by claiming that Howard was bright, got across a brief well and was a good manager.

During his five years tenure, John Howard was an adherent of free-market economics. He was in favour of tax reforms that included broad-based taxation and a freer industrial system.

The freer industrial system majorly supported dismantling the centralised wage-fixing system, abolition of compulsory trade unionism, privatisation and deregulation.

8. Howard Served as an Opposition Leader from 1983 to 1996

Policy Forum – John Howard – 20 March 2014. Photo Sourced from WIKIMEDIA

The Fraser government was defeated after the economic crisis that lead to his resignation from parliament. John Howard lost in the Liberal leadership contest but was re-elected as the deputy leader.

Liberal Party was defeated by the Labor party, but Howard’s popularity rose as Peacock’s sank. Peacock did not accept John Howard as his deputy after his profile rose.

Howard was given an option of assuring that he will not challenge the leadership of Peacock which he refused and got replaced. However, he was later on elected as Leader of the Opposition after beating Jim Carlton on a leadership ballot.
He served as an Opposition Leader from 1983 to 1996.

9. Howard Became Prime Minister with Second Biggest Seats Majority

Howard-Cheney 2007 shake. Author: David Bohrer. WIKIMEDIA

After serving as the opposition leader of Australia for some years, John Howard finally vied for the Prime Minister seat. This time round the liberal party won the seat easily.

He entered office with a 45-seat majority which was the second biggest majority win in Australian History after Fraser’s 55-seat majority. John Howard was sworn into office as Prime Minister on 11th March 1996.

10. Howard was against the Same-Sex Marriage in 2017

John Howard in a previous meeting. Author: Alex Bakharev. WIKIMEDIA

After John Howard served as Australian prime minister for two terms, he began engaging in several other activities related to politics. In 2017, John Howard endorsed the No vote for the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

He, later on, joined the campaign that was against same-sex marriage in the same year.

John Howard will always be a remarkable figure in Australia who is looked upon by other generations because of his major achievements in the country.