Commencing work at the Lands Titles Office as a draftsman, at the age of 17 Hawkins became the youngest person in the state to qualify as a licensed land broker (now licensed conveyancer). Hawkins subsequently joined the established real estate firm of KJ Powell as a land broker.
Hawkins established his real estate business in Adelaide in 1958.[2] Aside from activity in Adelaide, his business established a presence on Kangaroo Island, South Australia from 1963[3] and is the longest established real estate business on the island.[4] In 1966 he became the youngest ever councillor in the Real Estate Institute of South Australia,[5] and in 1981 its youngest ever life member.[6] In June 1988, he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the real estate industry and the community.[7]
In 2007, Hawkins was recognised by the Real Estate Institute of Australia, being conferred the President's Award honouring outstanding performance, commitment and contributions
to the real estate profession.[8]
Hawkins received government appointments to the Land Agents' Board, Commercial Tribunal and the board of the State Transport Authority in South Australia.[9] Outside of real estate, Hawkins was President of Sturt Football Club from 1985 to 1986 and is a life member of the council of Westminster School, Adelaide.[2]
Kangaroo Island... The First 200 Years (Instalment 16) Neville Cordes (2007) Statewide & Global ISBN0-909630-37-2
Real History - The Real Estate Institute of South Australia 1919-1989 Peter Donovan and Alison Painter (1990) Real Estate Institute of South Australia ISBN0-646-02056-0
Prime Property - Success Secrets from Australia's Real Estate Leaders Tony Hall (2001) Navigator ISBN0-957874-20-0