Priscilla (Zillah) Crawcour first woman to become a mayor in Australia.
Priscilla (Zillah) Crawcour had strong connections to the Former Jewish synagogue in Geelong (South-east corner of Yarra & McKillop Streets) & has played a huge role in the Geelong community. Zillah was the first woman to become a mayor in Australia & also served as a councillor for the City of Newtown from 1957 until 1975. Zillah founded the Australian Local Government Women’s Association. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire for her contribution to the community. A park adjacent to the Queens Park Bridge was named after Zillah.
Mt name is Priscilla Pescott, and I am the daughter of Zillah Crawcour.
ReplyDeleteI would like to correct a few entries on my mothers biography.
She was not the first woman mayor in Australia, but was for the Barwon Region. The first woman mayor of Australia was from Newtown, New South Wales, which was probably how the mistake occurred.
She served as councillor from 1957 - 1977, and died in office as mayor in March 1977, I was her mayoress.
She did not found the Australian Local Government Women's Association, but was a foundation member.
And finally, she had a hall named in her honour, The Zillah Crawcour Hall at Matthew Flinders Girls High School.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Pescott, O.A.M.