Blaze e-catalogue - Catalog - Page 23
Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders
The notion of firsts however, should not be relegated to history. Indeed, it has only been
in recent years that women have been appointed for the first time to some of the State’s
key senior leadership roles.
In 2017 Dr Deborah Dearing became President of the NSW Architects Registration Board:
the first woman appointed to the role since the Board was inaugurated in 1923. In 2016
Narelle Underwood was appointed Surveyor-General of NSW: the first woman to hold
the position which was established in 1787 (or 231 years ago), and the youngest
Surveyor-General in 200 years. In 2016 Margaret Crawford became Auditor-General
of NSW: the first woman appointed to the position in the 193 year history of the Audit
Office of NSW. In 2015 Lea Armstrong was appointed NSW Crown Solicitor: the first
woman since the position was established in 1817, more than 200 years ago. In 2014
Kim McKay AO became Director and CEO of the Australian Museum: the first woman and
first non-scientist to hold the position in the Museum’s 187 year history. In 2001, Professor
The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, became the first woman Governor of NSW,
213 years after Arthur Phillip was appointed the Colony’s first Governor.
The Parliament of NSW has also been a place of firsts. In recent times, Kristina Keneally was
sworn in as the 42nd and first woman Premier of NSW (2009) and Carmel Tebbutt became
the first woman Deputy Premier. Current and second woman Premier of NSW Gladys
Berejiklian, was appointed first woman Treasurer in 2015 and that same year, Gabrielle
Upton, first woman Attorney General. In 2011 Ronda Miller became the first woman Clerk
of the Legislative Assembly, and in 2007, Lynn Lovelock, the first woman Clerk of the
Legislative Council and Usher of the Black Rod. These and others, who pioneered roles
for women in the Parliament of NSW since Millicent Preston Stanley first took her seat
as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1925, have created a legacy that other women
will grow.
Despite these achievements of women in the NSW public sphere, the story remains
incomplete. In some cases, the firsts are yet to come and it is to the next generation
of women leaders that we now look to take up the reins.
Penny Stannard
Curator
Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders
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