The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Pauline St George Barnes was the fifth woman to be appointed as a commissioner of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, a position she held from 1 July 1978 until her retirement in 1985. Although she had completed the Barristers’ Admission Board course, she did not practise as a barrister after she was admitted to the New South Wales Bar. Instead, she worked as an industrial officer in local government and shire organisations before becoming a research officer with the Association of Professional Engineers (Aust.). An involved member of the Women Lawyers’ Association of New South Wales, she was honorary secretary and also convenor of the Association’s Research Committee.