SUE Smith never planned for a career in state and local government which turned into three decades of service to the community.
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But the former president of the Legislative Council and mayor has today become a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Mrs Smith, from Abbotsham south of Ulverstone, was recognised for her significant service to local government and the Parliament of Tasmania through leadership roles, and as a role model for women in politics.
She says she had never been a planner or someone with ambitions for a political career.
‘‘I used to walk to the end of the road to collect my newspaper and an older gent we called the Mayor of Abbotsham stopped me,’’ Mrs Smith said.
‘‘He told me there was a vacancy on the Ulverstone Council and because I had the biggest mouth in the community I should go and represent the country areas.’’
She was duly elected and then turned up for her first council meeting, and that became 30 years in public life.
Mrs Smith said the experience and opportunities she gained in local government were wonderful, but this changed a little when she was elected to the Legislative Council.
‘‘It was different in Hobart when you are an independent and you have to do a lot of work on your own,’’ she said.
Through both roles she endured and survived major changes, with amalgamations of councils and the shake-up of the upper house with the reform of the State Parliament.
‘‘Change happens but it seemed to follow me,’’ she said.
When she was asked to consider taking over the role of president of the Legislative Council she decided to nominate as it was up to her fellow upper house members.
‘‘I decided it was a vote from my colleagues and if they think I can do it they will say yes, and if it’s no then I have to ask myself what is missing from my character and I can go and do something about it,’’ she said.
Mrs Smith said she had been fortunate in her career in government that she had been able to mix her free time with her work.