Sarah Tiffen has paid tribute to her mother after being elected to Leeton Council. Photo: Camille Whitehead/Western Riverina Arts.
Writer and poet Sarah Tiffen has been elected to Leeton Council some 54 years after her mother Robin became the first woman to run for political office in the shire.
Sarah’s success was confirmed last week after the results of the September 2024 local government elections were published by the NSW Electoral Commission.
“I’m very honoured to have been elected to Leeton Council through the recent elections. Local politics encapsulates the adage that ‘every vote counts’,” she said.
“My mother was the first woman to run for council in 1970 – ‘attractive married brunette with an Arts degree’ is how they labelled her in [local paper] The Irrigator in March 1970. ‘Petticoat Policies Perhaps?’ was another headline they used.
“I am led by the example of my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – who all demonstrated a life of service.”
Sarah grew up in Leeton, where she was heavily involved in the arts and theatre scene, before moving to Canberra to work as a speechwriter for government ministers. She returned to her home town in 2020, when she formed the Leeton Writers Collective, which helps give local scribes the chance to share and develop their work and get published.
On 1 October, she became one of four new councillors elected to the revamped local government body, alongside Stephen Tynan, Nicholas Wright and Boston Edwards. These individuals will serve alongside the re-elected Sandra Nardi, George Weston, Michael Kidd, Tracey Morris and Krystal Maytom.
Only 10 councillors contested nine spots at this year’s election, making Sarah’s path to success easier than that of her mother.
“It was such a big thing for a woman to run for council in 1970, the general commentators couldn’t believe it – the old boys’ club stepped in at the last minute and put someone up against her so she didn’t get in,” Sarah said.
“Robin Tiffen went on to a life of community service anyway. She drove Leeton Preschool projects and ran the annual Ricebowl Festival, eisteddfod, and the Phoenix Club … she started her own political movement – the Women’s Rural Action Committee – to protect farmers from banks. She appeared on Ray Martin’s TV show and on the front cover of The Bulletin magazine.”
Robin Tiffen ran for council in 1970 under the slogan “Let’s Have a Lady”. Photo: Supplied.
Like her mother, Sarah says she hopes to also be a voice to all members of the community, to bring people together to find solutions and create a stronger sense of community belonging.
“I think Leeton Shire could be a leader on many challenges facing the world in the years ahead, such as progressing to renewable energies, protecting both our natural environment and world-class agriculture – both critical to our future – and innovative social housing and healthcare approaches,” she said.
“Other issues on the agenda will be fighting for water rights for family and small farmers, driving the ambition to have Leeton as a hub of culture and the arts – through our literary heritage, our Roxy Theatre, our pipe and town bands, and our eisteddfod and dance schools – and the idea of local reconciliation and deeper understanding of Wiradjuri culture and knowledge to help us move forward to a more mature understanding of our place in the world.
“On a personal note, I hope very much that we can put the issue of mental health and suicide on the agenda – and to champion whole-of-community action to save lives.”
Loading ...
