Born

20 June 1889
Leyton, Essex, England

Died

25 June 1970
Mornington, Victoria, Australia

Occupation

Local government councillor and Mayor

Alternative Names

• Pugh, Nellie Grace (maiden name)

Summary

Nellie Ibbott was the first woman to be elected to the Heidelberg Shire Council in 1928. Heidelberg became a city in 1934 and Ibbott served as mayor from 1943-44, becoming the first woman in Victoria to hold mayoral office. In 1950 she was defeated at the council elections after serving for 22 years. In addition to her council work, she was active in the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia. In 1949 she was nominated as a candidate for pre-selection for the Senate, but was unsuccessful. She became involved in charity work, establishing the Heidelberg Benevolent Society. She was appointed MBE in 1954.

Sources used to compile this entry: Baker, Jean, 'Ibbott, Nellie Grace (1889-1971)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140606b.htm.