Cr Barbara H. Abley AM DSJ   Ward: Brownbill Portfolio for Infrastructure Portfolio for Parks Portfolio for Gardens   Telephone: 0419 358 223 Fax: (03) 5222 4281 Email: councillor@geelongcity.vic.gov.au On November 2004, Councillor Abley was re-elected to represent the Brownbill Ward, which covers part of South Geelong and Geelong central, Chilwell, Newtown, Geelong West, Geelong North, Drumcondra, Western Beach and Rippleside.   She formerly served the City as Deputy Mayor (2001) and Mayor for two consecutive terms from April 9th 2002 to 30th March 2004, being the first woman to hold this position since amalgamation, and the first in the preceding 134 years history of the City of Geelong Council.

Cr Abley, born in the Southern Mallee, has been a Geelong resident since she was a teenager and lives with husband Barry in Chilwell. She holds several tertiary qualifications in her chosen professional fields, and has an extensive health and community services background.

Cr Abley is a current member of significant community groups and Boards at local, state and national level including President of United Way Geelong and Geelong Rugby Union Football Club. She is a very active member of Rotary International being a Past President, Past Assistant District Governor, and member of the Rotary Club of Corio. She is a Director of Barwon Region Waste Management Group.

Her service to the community has been recognised with several awards including: a Paul Harris Fellow; investiture as a Dame of Grace Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller; a very rare Medal of Merit which is the highest international award bestowed upon a non-Lions affiliate by Lions International, Zonta Woman of the Year, Geelong (2003).

Cr Abley was further recognised in the 2007 Queens Birthday Honours List with the appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (A.M.) for service to local Government and Regional Development, particularly through the Geelong Region Alliance and to the community through a range of aged care, disability, health and service organisations.

Cr Abley holds the Council portfolio for Infrastructure, portfolio for Parks and the portfolio for Gardens, and represents the City of Greater Geelong on many committees including:

• Audit Advisory Committee
• Disability Street Access Advisory Committee
• Kardinia Park Steering Committee
• Geelong Major Events
• Geelong East Timor Friendship Committee
• Municipal Emergency Management
• Chair, Project Control Group Eastern Park & GBG Strategic Plan
• Waste Wise Ambassador
• G21 Transport Pillar Group

She was the inaugural Chair of the Geelong Regional Alliance known as G21, and a state government appointed inaugural chair of Communities In Action for this local government area.

In her professional life Cr Abley is the Community Relations Manager of the Life Style Funeral Company, a Geelong owned and Geelong based firm.