Canterbury-Bankstown Councillor, Linda Downey, has been honoured with the ‘Elected Representative’ award at the NSW Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government.
Cr Downey, who has served 16 years as a councillor, received the honour at a special ceremony at Parliament House yesterday, saying she was grateful to be recognised for the work and effort that goes into being a local councillor.
The lifelong Canterbury-Bankstown resident and local high school teacher has decided to call it quits, but will continue to inspire and mentor young women to follow in her footsteps.
“It’s not just an award for me, it acknowledges the work of women in general across the state who contribute their time and effort to their local community,” Cr Downey said.
She was elected to the former Bankstown City Council in 2008 – the first woman elected to represent the South Ward (which is now Reves by Ward).
“I wanted to represent the views of ordinary people and there weren’t very many women on Council at the time,” she said.
She served eight years on the Bankstown City Council, before being elected to the merged City of Canterbury Bankstown in 2017. She also served as Mayor between 2014-15 and later Deputy Mayor in 2021 for Canterbury-Bankstown.
Among her many achievements, Cr Downey played a significant role in the City’s commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli and chaired the ANZAC Commemoration Committee.
“I had a great uncle who died on the Western Front, so I’ve had a bit of an interest of Australians who served there,” she said.
“It was a real highlight to be in Gallipoli for the centenary.”
Other achievements during her time on Council included advocating for the redevelopment of Revesby pool, as well as improved traffic in the area and town centre upgrades.
Cr Downey says her decision not to contest the next election wasn’t an easy one but said she will still play an active role in the local community.
“I’m stepping down as a Councillor, but that doesn’t mean I’m stepping out of the community,” she said.
“I’m the careers advisor at East Hills Girls Technology School and I will continue to illustrate to young girls that there’s really rewarding career paths in Local Government.”
Mayor, Bilal El-Hayek said Cr Downey was a shining example for all women in Local Government and the award bestowed upon her was most deserving.
“As a long-time resident of our City, she has been a staunch and tireless advocate for her community and has fought and won many battles on their behalf,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
Cr Downey was joined at Parliament House by her husband and former long-serving State MP, Alan Ashton, her daughters, Gemma and Breanna, and East Hills MP Kylie Wilkinson.
“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do in the community without the support of my family,” she said.
The award, which recognises the achievements and celebrates the collective significance of women in Local Government across NSW was presented by NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig and NSW Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison.
