Rosemary Follett
Encyclopedia
Rosemary Follett AO
(born 27 March 1948), Australia
n politician, was the first Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
. She was the first woman to become head of government in an Australian state or territory
.
Follett was born in Sydney
, New South Wales
in 1948, and moved with her family to Canberra
in 1952 where she was educated at Canberra Catholic Girls' High School
. She joined the Public Service after leaving school, but was made to resign when she married, as was the policy at the time. She studied stenography, and worked as a secretary for various politicians over the next ten years.
The dismissal of Gough Whitlam
's government in 1975 inspired Follett to join the Australian Labor Party
. In the meantime, she returned to university, studying arts and administration at the Canberra College of Advanced Education
, and rejoined the Public Service.
Follett became the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT) on 11 May 1989 following the Australian Labor Party
's victory in the first ACT election. She was deposed as Chief Minister in 1990, but returned to office in 1991. In 1995 she was defeated by the Liberal Party of Australia
under Kate Carnell
. Follett resigned from the ACT Legislative Assembly
in December 1996 and was replaced by Simon Corbell
.
Follett was the ACT's Sex Discrimination Commissioner from 1996 to 2004.
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"...
(born 27 March 1948), 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, was the first Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
The Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory is the head of government of the Australian Capital Territory. The leader of party with the largest representation of seats in the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly usually takes on the role...
. She was the first woman to become head of government in an Australian state or territory
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
.
Follett was born 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...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in 1948, and moved with her family to Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in 1952 where she was educated at Canberra Catholic Girls' High School
Merici College
Merici College is a Catholic girls' high school located in the suburb of Braddon in Canberra, Australia. It caters for secondary years 7 to 10, and college years 11 and 12. The Principal of the school is Mrs Catherine Rey.-History:...
. She joined the Public Service after leaving school, but was made to resign when she married, as was the policy at the time. She studied stenography, and worked as a secretary for various politicians over the next ten years.
The dismissal of Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
's government in 1975 inspired Follett to join 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 the meantime, she returned to university, studying arts and administration at the Canberra College of Advanced Education
University of Canberra
Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded...
, and rejoined the Public Service.
Follett became the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
The Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory is the head of government of the Australian Capital Territory. The leader of party with the largest representation of seats in the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly usually takes on the role...
(ACT) on 11 May 1989 following 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...
's victory in the first ACT election. She was deposed as Chief Minister in 1990, but returned to office in 1991. In 1995 she was defeated by the Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
under Kate Carnell
Kate Carnell
Anne Katherine Carnell AO was the third Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, serving from 1995 to 2000. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.-Pharmacy career:...
. Follett resigned from the ACT Legislative Assembly
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
in December 1996 and was replaced by Simon Corbell
Simon Corbell
Simon Corbell is an Australian politician in the Australian Capital Territory, and is one of the seven members of the Legislative Assembly electorate of Molonglo, representing the Australian Labor Party...
.
Follett was the ACT's Sex Discrimination Commissioner from 1996 to 2004.