The Prime Minister Julia Gillard is celebrating her 50th birthday and today she received some unusual gifts.

Ms Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson bought her a Cavalier Poodle puppy and a group of youngsters came up with their own red-headed tribute.

Kieran Rooney reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Despite the latest poll results, it was a popular day for the Prime Minister.

Celebrations kicked off with a bouquet of flowers at her front door.

But there were more surprises in store, most notably a new puppy for the lodge.

Julia Gillard, Prime Minister: “We are getting a cavoodle, a puppy, but the puppy’s turning up in a few weeks time, but I am sporting some new jewellery which i got for my birthday so very happy with that.”

The RSPCA would’ve preferred it if the new pet had been adopted from one of its shelters.

Michael Beatty, RSPCA Spokesperson: “It would have been nice if she had decided to actually adopt an animal from the RSPCA but I mean the good thing for the animal is I’m sure it’ll be well taken care of.”

Ms Gillard is one of Australia’s youngest elected Prime Ministers, still the National Seniors Association says her membership form is in the mail.”

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the Prime Minister will only get wiser with age.

But Psychologists say that’s not necessarily the case.

Hannes Zacher, UQ Psychologist: “Generally we’ve found no relationship between age and wisdom, young people are as capable of being wise as older people.”

Taking this advice to heart, Ms Gillard spent the rest of the day getting to know the younger members of her electorate.

Kieran Rooney, QUT News.