In 1949 Dorothy Edwards CBE became the first woman elected to local government in Tasmania and in 1955 became the first woman to serve as mayor of an Australian city.
Several more trailblazing women were elected to our councils in the 1950s and 60s.
The inaugural meeting of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Tasmania Branch) was held in August 1978 at the Town Hall in Launceston.
By 2006, the number of women elected to local government in Tasmania had reached 20% and from 2014 ALGWA’s WomenCan program and active mentoring saw the numbers steadily rise.
At the 2022 elections, 106 women (42.5%) were elected across 29 councils, including 15 mayors and 18 deputy mayors.
L-R: Clr Meg Darwin, Clr Mabs Doherty, Clr Doreen Goss, Mary Duniam, Ron Excell, Clr Flora Fox, not recorded
[Goss family collection]
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association had formed in Canberra on 15 October 1951, at the Women’s Convention convened by Dame Enid Lyons during the Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee Year celebrations.
The first branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) was formed in Sydney in 1952. In 1963 ALGWA adopted a constitution which emphasised the non-party political nature of the organisation which continues in branches across Australia. Tasmanian Branch delegates serve on the national board.
The records of ALGWA Tasmania are held in the Tasmanian Archives.
Life Members
ALGWA Tasmania life membership honours a person who has given outstanding service to the association. Life members are nominated by ALGWA Tasmania members, endorsed by the committee and presented at the next Annual General Meeting. Life members retain the same voting rights as financial members.
Mary Binks OAM (dec)
Born 1934; librarian and community advocate; inaugural President of the Devonport Branch of the National Council of Women in 1983. Elected to the Devonport Council in 1989, serving two years as Deputy Mayor and four years as Mayor. State convenor of the Tasmanian Women’s Consultative Council, vice president of the Tasmanian Local Government Association and president of ALGWA Tasmania. Inducted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2005 for service to the community.
Pru Bonham
Born 1948; marine biologist; Hobart City Council Alderman from 1990 to 2002 and Deputy Lord Mayor between 1994 and 2002. Inducted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2013 for service to the community, Local Government and Science.
Flora Fox
Kingborough Councillor and ALGWA Tas member since 1988. A constant advocate for community and the environment. In 2025 Flora was recognised by the Local Government Association of Tasmania for 37 years of dedicated service to her community as councillor.
Sandra French AM
Burnie City Council 1985 to 2009; the second woman elected to the Council and in 1990 became the first woman elected Mayor. Inducted to Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2009 for service to the community.
Annette Rockliff
Former councillor and Mayor of the City of Devonport.
Served on the ALGWA Tasmania committee as Treasurer 2018 to 2024.
Helen Scott
Southern Midlands Council; ALGWA national delegate 2002 to 2006.
Margot Smart OAM
Born 1936; Launceston City Council Alderman from 1992 until 2007 and respected mentor to women in local government. Inducted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll for Women in 2015 for service to Business or Industry, Community Service and Local Government.
Joan Walters
Launceston City Council 1998 to 2005. ALGWA national delegate and officer bearer 1998 to 2006.
Dr Joan Webb (dec)
Born 1926; teacher, tourism pioneer and writer; elected to the West Tamar Council in the early 1990s. Inducted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll for Women in 2011 for service to the Arts, service to the Community. Awarded a PhD in 2016 at the age of 90, Dr Webb’s thesis examined the impact of creative stimulation – “making the brain work” – among the residents of two Tasmanian aged care facilities.
