The Australian Women's Register

A once-only candidate in the unwinnable seat of Wakehurst in 1995 for the ALP.

A distinguished health professional, Margaret Atkin was also recognised for her service to the Australian Labor Party. She ran as their candidate for Gordon in 1976.

Agnes Bannon was a committed Democratic Labor Party member who ran for election three times: for Burwood in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in1973 and for Lowe in the House of Representatives in 1969 and in 1972.

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.

A lifelong political and social activist, Evelyn Barron served a full 12-year term in the Legislative Council of New South Wales (1964-76) as a member of the ALP. Prior to this she had unsuccessfully run as an ALP candidate for Collaroy in 1953.

Ann Barry has taken an intense interest in politics at all levels. She ran as an Australian Democrats member in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Gordon (1995) and in the House of Representatives for Bradfield (1996) and for Throsby (1998). She also ran as an Independent for the Ku-ring-gai Council in 1995 and 2003.

Thelma Bate was unsuccessful in her attempts to enter State and Federal Parliament, but worked for the community and for equality regardless of gender, race or creed throughout her life. She ran as a member of the Country Party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Dubbo, 1947 (known as Harvey), in the Senate in 1951 and 1953 for Gwydir (now known as Kirkby) and in Kirkby’s 1953 by election for the House of Representatives.

A prominent unionist and social justice campaigner, Aileen Winifred Beaver ran as a Communist Party of Australia candidate for Auburn in 1978, for Elizabeth in 1981 and for the seat of Sydney in the House of Representatives in 1977, 1983 and 1984.

Gladys Berejiklian is the first Armenian descendant to be elected to the NSW Parliament. As a member of the Liberal Party she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (Willoughby seat) in 2003. She was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Her positions in 2016 included Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations.

Veronica Black stood as an ALP candidate in the unwinnable Legislative Assembly seat of Ballina in the New South Wales election in 1995.

Olive Boundy is an activist in local government and politics. She is a member of the ALP and was a candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (Clarence seat) in 1991. She later was elected to the Ulmarra Shire Council from 1987 and later served on the Pristine Waters Council until 2004.

A once-only candidate, Jean Pollock Braithwaite stood as an Australia Party candidate in the 1973 Fuller elections.

A committed member of the Democratic Labor Party, Doris Edna Brauer ran for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Eastwood in 1965 and as a candidate in the House of Representatives for Parramatta in 1972. She was married to Frank Brauer (died 1992) and the mother of seven children.

In 1999 Cherie Burton was a successful ALP candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Kogarah. This was the start of her solid parliamentary career, culminating in her appointment as Parliamentary Secretary in 2003 and Minister for Housing and Minister assisting the Minister for Health in 2005, positions she held until 2007. She retired from the State Parliament before the 2015 election.

An idealist, Peggy May Cable ran for election twice. She was Australian Democrats candidate in the 1978 Wentworthville and 1981 Seven Hills elections.

Eileen Cammack was an outstanding citizen, active in local government, health and community organisations. She was a Liberal Party candidate in the Penrith elections of 1973 and 1976, and was appointed Alderman to the Penrith City Council in 1972 (to 1991) and Mayor from 1975 to 1978.

Millicent Christian was a once-only candidate who was a lifetime activist for equality, peace and freedom. She ran for the Raleigh seat in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1947 as an Independent Labor candidate.

Anne Conlon was an outstanding activist and scholar whose career was cut short by her untimely death. She was an ALP candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Mosman by election in 1972.

Beverley Crane was a once only candidate for Parliament who ran for the ALP in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Vaucluse in 1988.

Angela D’Amore was a Union official and a dedicated party worker before her election to Parliament as the ALP candidate for Drummoyne in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (2003). She served in the Parliament from 2003-2011.

Mary Day was a well known alderman (North Sydney Council, 1980-92c) but an unsuccessful candidate for parliamentary election as an Independent candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for North Shore in 1988.

Marilyn Dodkin was an Australian Labor Party activist and historian who contested the New South Wales Legislative Assembly elections for Middle Harbour in 1988.

Adele Doust is a committed environmentalist, whose career has continued to centre on environmental management. She was an Australian Greens candidate in the House of Representatives for Macquarie (1998), in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Blue Mountains (1999) and for the Blue Mountains City Council in 1999.

Sally Dover is a practised campaigner who has run campaigns for three parties in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Port Stephens: Call to Australia candidate in 1995, Christian Democrat Party candidate in 1999 and a Liberal Party candidate in 2003. Sally also ran for the Port Stephens Council, she missed out in 1995, but was elected in 2004 and served on the Council until 2017 including six years as Deputy Mayor.

Ruby Duncan was a social and political campaigner, particularly for women and children. She stood as an Independent candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Drummoyne in 1932.

Margaret Ferrara is a high achieving scientist who ran for election only once. She was an Australian Democrats candidate in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Baulkham Hills in 1999.

Marie Ficarra has had extensive and successful careers in business and politics. She was a member of the Hurstville City Council from 1980-1995, which included stints as Deputy Mayor (1983-84) and Mayor (1990-1991). As a Liberal Party candidate, Marie was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for George’s River in 1995, but failed to gain re-election in 1999. In March 2007, she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council. She became Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and was appointed to the Social Issues Standing Committee and General Purpose Committee Number 2. She left Parliament in 2015, after serving as Parliamentary secretary from 2011-2014. In April 2014 she stood down from parliament as she was accused of soliciting donations for the Liberal Party in contravention of NSW election campaign funding laws. She denied the claims. Marie was the first female member of the Liberal Party to serve in both Houses of the New South Wales Parliament.