Mary Batchelor
Mary Dorothy Batchelor, QSO (7 January 1927 – 12 March 2009) was a Labour Member of Parliament for the Avon electorate in Christchurch for 15 years from 1972 to 1987.[1]
Biography
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1972–1975 | 38th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1975–1978 | 39th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1978–1981 | 40th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1981–1984 | 41st | Avon | Labour | |
| 1984–1987 | 42nd | Avon | Labour | |
Batchelor was divorced by the time she entered Parliament in 1972.[2]
She also served on the Christchurch City Council for six years between 1971 and 1977 and was active with trade unions.[2] She was awarded a QSO in 1987 for public service, a New Zealand 1990 Medal, and the Women's Suffrage Medal in 1993.
After Parliament, Batchelor owned a second house on Australia's Gold Coast, so that she could avoid the Christchurch winters and be near her daughter and granddaughter. She took up painting and was a member of the Royal Queensland Art Society.[2]
Mary Batchelor died on 12 March 2009.[3]
"She advocated firmly for equality of women in work, and for women generally, without being anti-male".[4]
References
- ↑ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
- 1 2 3 Bryce, Fiona (1 April 2005). "Where are they now?... Former MP Mary Batchelor". The Star. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- ↑ "Obituaries — Mary Dorothy Batchelor QSO". New Zealand Parliament. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
- ↑ David Close quoted in The Press, 28 March 2009
External links
- Photo of Dorothy Jelicich and Mary Batchelor playing pool in the parliamentary Members' lounge
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Mathison |
Member of Parliament for Avon 1972–1987 |
Succeeded by Larry Sutherland |