Born

c. 1951
London, United Kingdom

Occupation

Unionist and Parliamentarian

Alternative Names

• Herlihy, Noreen (maiden name)

Summary

Noreen Hay was an active ALP member even before her election to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Wollongong in 2003. Noreen Hay was born in London, to Irish migrant parents Tadg and Nora Herlihy.
She married Christopher Martin Hay, and with their two daughters and two sons, they emigrated to Australia c.1982. She worked for Home Care Service, joined the Miscellaneous Workers' Union, and became a delegate, official, and sub-branch secretary of Wollongong MWU. In 2002, she defeated the sitting member Colin Markham for ALP preselection. She is the first woman elected for the seat of Wollongong

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf (accessed 11 November 2004); http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20030521038 (accessed 11 November 2004); Sydney Morning Herald 16 December 2002; http://www.emilyslist.org.au/news/editorial.asp?id=163 (accessed 11 July 2005).