Kath Anderson
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Harris "Kath" Anderson AM
, née Hough (1 November 1921 – 19 September 1996) was an Australia
n politician. She was a Labor
member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
from 1973 to 1981. Her husband, Keith Anderson
, was briefly a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
(1961–1962), while her son, Peter Anderson
, was a minister in the Unsworth Government
(1986–1988).
She was born Kathleen Harris Hough in Canowindra
to carpenter Tom Hough, later secretary of the Bridge and Wharf Carpenters' Union, and his wife, who was matron of Canowindra Hospital. She attended Sydney Girls High School
, and joined the Australian Labor Party
in 1963. In that year she became the first woman appointed to Sydney County Council
, and served as chairperson from 1966 to 1970. She was active in the women's movement within the Labor Party, and was ultimately elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
in 1973. She became the first woman to serve as Government Whip in 1976.
Anderson left the Council in 1981, and in 1982 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
. She became a member of the Local Government Boundaries Commission in 1981, and a member of the Zoological Parks Trust in 1990. Anderson died in 1996 in Sydney
.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, née Hough (1 November 1921 – 19 September 1996) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician. She was a Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
from 1973 to 1981. Her husband, Keith Anderson
Keith Anderson (Australian politician)
Keith Anderson was an Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1961 until 1962. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party....
, was briefly a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
(1961–1962), while her son, Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson (politician)
Peter Thomas Anderson , a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Nepean between 1978 and 1981, Penrith between 1981 and 1988, and Liverpool between 1989 and 1995 for the Australian Labor Party...
, was a minister in the Unsworth Government
Barrie Unsworth
Barrie John Unsworth was an Australian politician, representing the Australian Labor Party in the Parliament of New South Wales from 1978 to 1991. He served as the 36th Premier from July 1986 to March 1988.-Early years:...
(1986–1988).
She was born Kathleen Harris Hough in Canowindra
Canowindra, New South Wales
Canowindra is an historic township located near Cowra in the central west of New South Wales, Australia in Cabonne Shire. Canowindra is on the Belubula River. The curving main street, Gaskill Street, is partly an urban conservation area. At the 2006 census, Canowindra had a population of 1,499...
to carpenter Tom Hough, later secretary of the Bridge and Wharf Carpenters' Union, and his wife, who was matron of Canowindra Hospital. She attended Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Girls High School is an academically selective, Public high school for girls, located at Moore Park, in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
, and joined the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
in 1963. In that year she became the first woman appointed to Sydney County Council
Sydney County Council
The Sydney County Council was the authority responsible for electricity supplies in Sydney, Australia. The entity was created in 1936, and was elected and controlled by the municipal councils of Sydney. Between 1936 and 1952, it was responsible for electricity generation and distribution...
, and served as chairperson from 1966 to 1970. She was active in the women's movement within the Labor Party, and was ultimately elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
in 1973. She became the first woman to serve as Government Whip in 1976.
Anderson left the Council in 1981, and in 1982 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
. She became a member of the Local Government Boundaries Commission in 1981, and a member of the Zoological Parks Trust in 1990. Anderson died in 1996 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.