Robyn Walmsley Explained

Robyn-Lyn Walmsley [1] (known as Robyn Walmsley) is an Australian former politician. She was an Australian Labor Party member of the former Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly from 1979 to 1985.

Early life

Walmsley was born in Canberra.[2] At the time of her election to the House of Assembly in 1979, she was 32, a qualified biochemist, a graduate student in politics at the Australian National University, and married with two children.[3]

Community activism

Prior to election to the ACT House of Assembly, Walmsley was active in the Abortion Counselling Service.[4] and a vice-president of the Family Planning Association.[5] She was also an active member of Women Against Rape.[6] In 1981 she was elected vice-president of the ACT Council of Social Service.[7]

Career

Walmsley was elected to the ACT House of Assembly in 1979, for the Division of Canberra.[8] Peter Vallee was Labor leader from 1977 to 1982. He resigned, in order to allow a woman to lead Labor into the 1982 election.[9] Walmsley then became the acting leader,[10] but, as it turned out, a woman was not elected leader. The new leader was Ken Doyle, but he resigned after a year, in 1983, and Maurene Horder was elected leader in his place.[11]

Walmsley resigned as a MHA in 1985, and was replaced by Rosemary Follett.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL, TERRITORY HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS—DIVISION OF CANBERRA . . S113 . Australia, Australia . 20 June 1979 . 25 May 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: ACT economy heads ALP concerns . . 53 . 15,957 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 June 1979 . 25 May 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: ACT economy heads ALP concerns . . 53 . 15,957 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 June 1979 . 25 May 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: LETTERS to the Editor The abortion issue . . 53 . 15,740 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 October 1978 . 25 May 2022 . 17 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: ACT economy heads ALP concerns . . 53 . 15,957 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 June 1979 . 25 May 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: LETTERS to the Editor . . 56 . 16,999 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 April 1982 . 25 May 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: IN BRIEF Kings Cross vice blitz nets 11 . . 55 . 16,611 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 March 1981 . 25 May 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Candidates declared elected . . 53 . 15,969 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 June 1979 . 25 May 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: MHA blames feminists as he quits ALP . . 56 . 17,015 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 29 April 1982 . 12 April 2021 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  10. News: ALP leader . . 56 . 17,016 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 30 April 1982 . 12 April 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: CORRECTION . . 58 . 17,523 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 September 1983 . 12 April 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: Canberra agrees to link with French district . . 60 . 18,244 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 12 September 1985 . 25 May 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.