Barbara Abley

Barbara Abley is a third term Brownbill Ward Councillor, first elected to council in 2001.

She previously served as Deputy Mayor (one year), and two years as Mayor, the first female to hold this senior position on the City of Greater Geelong Council, and in the history of the City of Geelong.

Cr Abley’s community service recognitions include a Paul Harris Fellow; investiture as a Dame of Grace Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller; Lions International Medal of Merit and Geelong 2003 Zonta Woman of the Year.

She is President of United Way Geelong; Immediate Past President and Number One Ticket Holder of the Geelong Rugby Union Football Club; a Past President of the Rotary Club of Geelong Central and current member and Director of Rotary Club of Corio.

Cr Abley holds Tertiary and Graduate Qualifications in Health, Management, Nursing and Internal Auditing, and is a Fellow, Royal College of Nursing Australia.

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

She is the Council’s Arts and Culture Portfolio