Watson, Rose

Rose Watson is a once only candidate, a successful Councillor and a stalwart community worker. In 1987 she was elected Alderman Woollahra Council and held that position until 2003. In 1991 she stood for election as an Independent to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Vaucluse. She has been very active in campaigns for better aged care facilities in her area. She was vigorously opposed to the closing of the Strickland House Nursing Home by the Greiner Government in 1989 and fought to open its grounds to the public. She also led the campaign against the proposed closure of the Post Office in Watsons Bay, taking the case to the Federal Court and winning. She founded the Watsons Bay Society, a resident action group and was instrumental in the re-establishment of the State Emergency Services in Woollahra municipality.

Rose Watson was educated at Coogee Public School, Sydney Girls High School and the University of Sydney from which she graduated B.Sc. and Dip.Ed. She taught mathematics at Vaucluse, Dover Heights, Marrickville, Crown Street and Randwick High Schools. She is married to a medical practitioner, whose practice she managed after her retirement from teaching.