• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0016

Read, Robyn

  • BA, MTCP
  • Occupation Journalist, Parliamentarian, Political candidate, Politician, Public servant, Tutor, Writer

Summary

Robyn Read was an independent member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in the seat of North Shore from 1988 until 1991. She failed to gain re-election in the 1991 by-election. Prior to her parliamentary career, Robyn was a successful local councillor and was Alderman for the North Sydney Municipal Council from 1970-77 and 1987-91 and was also Deputy Mayor from 1974-75.

Details

Parliamentary and Local Government Career

Local Government
  • Alderman, North Sydney Municipal Council, 1970-77, 1987-91
  • Deputy Mayor 1974-75
State Government
  • Independent Member, North Shore, 1988-1991
  • Party: Independent

A lifelong resident of Sydney’s lower north shore, Read completed her BA and MA in Town and Country Planning at the University of Sydney.

From 1971 to 1977 and 1987 to 1991 she was Alderman of North Sydney Council, including periods as Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor. During this time the Council introduced innovative programs such as public participation in precincts and the first New South Wales neighbourhood centre at Kirribilli. North Sydney became an acknowledged leader in the local government industry because of programs such as these.

The mother of three children – James Hamilton, Sophie Read-Hamilton and Cassandra Read-Hamilton – Read has also held positions with the Byron Shire Council, the New South Wales Water Resources Commission, the New South Wales Department of Environment and Planning and the Universities of Sydney and Macquarie.

Read

Events

  • 1988 - 1991

    NSW Legislative Assembly

    Member
  • 1988 - 1991

    North Shore

    Member

Published resources

  • Book
    • The more things change, Read, Robyn, 1995
  • Report
    • Report on prisons following visits to Bathurst, Goulburn and Parklea gaols, Read, Robyn... [et al.], 1990
    • Burnside : Just twenty six suburbs, Read, Robyn, 1977
    • Burnside needs study, research & data document : Part 2., Read, Robyn, 1977?
  • Newspaper Article
    • Writer Read Takes a Leaf Out of Her Own Book, McNicoll, D D, 1995
  • Site Exhibition
  • Resource

Archival resources

  • ACT Heritage Library
    • HMSS 0039 Robyn Read Papers
  • National Library of Australia
    • [Biographical cuttings on Robyn Read, author, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
  • State Library of New South Wales
    • Robyn Read further papers, 1972-1998
    • Robyn Read - further papers, 1974-1991
    • Robyn Read - papers concerning the Water Resources Commission of NSW, 1983-87
  • Stanton Library
    • Oral history interview with Robyn Read [sound recording] / by Margaret Park

Related entries


  • Related Concepts
    • Women in Politics: Independents