Oakman, Patricia

A community activist, Patricia Oakman was an ALP candidate in the 1973 elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Clarence. She had better luck in local politics being elected to the Bellingen Shire Council in 1969. She held the position of Shire President from 1971-73 and 1976-80.

• O’Connell, Patricia (maiden name)

Patricia Oakman was born in Coffs Harbour and educated at Urunga Public School and the Paddington Domestic Science School.
She was first elected to the Bellingen Shire Council in 1969 and became the first woman to be a shire president in 1971.

Patricia Oakman became the first woman director on the executive of the Hospital Contribution Fund of Australia in 1970, and the first woman president of the Hospital Association of NSW 1973-75, 1981.She was a director of the Bellingen Hospital Board from 1965, treasurer 1969-79, chair 1980. She was a member of the Sydney Farm Produce Marketing Authority in 1978.

Patricia Oakman received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1977 and was awarded an A.M. in 1978. She is married to William John Oakman (died July 2005)