An initiative of The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) in conjunction with The University of Melbourne
Skip to content
A once-only candidate for State Parliament (Liberal Party candidate for Bankstown in 1950), Blanche Barkl instead became a successful local councillor. She was Alderman for the Bankstown Municipal Council from 1948-54 and 1959-62, and was Bankstown Mayor from 1951-53.
Blanche Barkl was the first woman elected to Bankstown Municipal Council (1948), and the first woman elected Deputy Mayor (1949) and Mayor (1951-53). She also served as Divisional Commissioner, Girl Guides Sir Joseph Banks Division. She and her husband, Jim, had two daughters.
Sources used to compile this entry: Smith, A. Viola, Women in Australian Parliaments and Local Governments, Past and Present, Australian Local Government Women's Association; Australian National Advisory Committee on International Women's Year, Australian Local Government Women's Association, Canberra, 1975, 148 pp; Sydney Morning Herald, 28 May 1950 & 14 August 2001.
Annette Alafaci
Created: 6 December 2005, Last modified: 12 June 2009
http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE1348b.htm