The Australian Women's Register

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.