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Read, Robyn

B.A., M.T.C.P.
Archival/Heritage ResourcesPublished Resources
Politician, Public Servant, Writer, Journalist and Parliamentarian
Born: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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.


Career Highlights

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.

 
Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf (accessed 10 December 2004); Dianne Decker, Women in Australian Parliament and Local Government: An updated history 1975-1992. 1992.
 
Published Resources

Books

  • Read, Robyn, The more things change, Random House Australia, Milsons Point, N.S.W., 1995, 283 pp. [ Details... ]

Newspaper Articles

  • McNicoll, D D, 'Writer Read Takes a Leaf Out of Her Own Book', The Weekend Australian, 18-19 November 1995, p. 12. [ Details... ]

Reports

  • Read, Robyn, Burnside needs study, research & data document : Part 2., [Burnside City Council], [Adelaide], [1977?], 68 pp. [ Details... ]
  • Read, Robyn, Burnside : Just twenty six suburbs, Burnside (S. Aust.). Corporation, [Burnside, S. A.], 1977, 77 pp. [ Details... ]

See also

  • Read, Robyn... [et al.], Report on prisons following visits to Bathurst, Goulburn and Parklea gaols, [Sydney : s.n.], November 1990, 59 pp. [ Details... ]

Google
Structure based on ISAAR(CPF) - click here for an explanation of the fields.Prepared by: Elle Morrell
Created: 23 August 2000
Modified: 28 September 2006

Published by National Foundation for Australian Women on Australian Women's Archives Project Web Site
Comments, questions, corrections and additions: awap@womenaustralia.info
Prepared by: Acknowledgements
Updated: 14 November 2008
http://womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0016b.htm

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