- Entry type: Person
- Entry ID: AWE0016
Read, Robyn
- Occupation Journalist, Parliamentarian, Political candidate, Politician, Public servant, Tutor, Writer
Summary
Robyn Read was an independent member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in the seat of North Shore from 1988 until 1991. She failed to gain re-election in the 1991 by-election. Prior to her parliamentary career, Robyn was a successful local councillor and was Alderman for the North Sydney Municipal Council from 1970-77 and 1987-91 and was also Deputy Mayor from 1974-75.
Details
Parliamentary and Local Government Career
Local Government
- Alderman, North Sydney Municipal Council, 1970-77, 1987-91
- Deputy Mayor 1974-75
State Government
- Independent Member, North Shore, 1988-1991
- Party: Independent
A lifelong resident of Sydney’s lower north shore, Read completed her BA and MA in Town and Country Planning at the University of Sydney.
From 1971 to 1977 and 1987 to 1991 she was Alderman of North Sydney Council, including periods as Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor. During this time the Council introduced innovative programs such as public participation in precincts and the first New South Wales neighbourhood centre at Kirribilli. North Sydney became an acknowledged leader in the local government industry because of programs such as these.
The mother of three children – James Hamilton, Sophie Read-Hamilton and Cassandra Read-Hamilton – Read has also held positions with the Byron Shire Council, the New South Wales Water Resources Commission, the New South Wales Department of Environment and Planning and the Universities of Sydney and Macquarie.
Events
-
1988 - 1991
NSW Legislative Assembly
Member -
1988 - 1991
North Shore
Member
Published resources
- Book
- Report
- Newspaper Article
-
Site Exhibition
- Putting Skirts on the Sacred Benches: Women Candidates for the New South Wales Parliament, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2006, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/pssb/home.html
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Resource
- Trove: Read, Robyn, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-468228
Archival resources
- ACT Heritage Library
- National Library of Australia
- State Library of New South Wales
- Stanton Library