Wendy Chapman

For the American research scientist, see Wendy W. Chapman.

Wendy Jennifer Chapman AM (born 3 June 1942) is a former Australian politician. She served on the Adelaide City Council as an alderwoman between 1981 and 1983 before becoming the first woman Lord Mayor of Adelaide in 1983. Chapman held her mayoral position until her defeat in the 1985 Adelaide mayoral election by Jim Jarvis. The following year, Chapman became a Member of the Order of Australia at the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours. After her mayoral career, Chapman was a property developer with her husband during the mid 1980s and was part of the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy in the 1990s.

Early life and education

Chapman was born on 3 June 1942. For her education, Chapman attended a Presbyterian school before going to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South Australia.^[1]

Career

Chapman began her political career as an alderwoman for the Adelaide City Council between 1981 and 1983.^[2] In October 1983, Chapman became the first woman ever to be elected as the Lord Mayor of Adelaide.^[3] After holding her position for two years, Chapman ran for mayoral re-election in 1985 but was defeated by Jim Jarvis.^[4] After her mayoral career, Chapman and her husband were development planners for a proposed marina at Hindmarsh Island in the mid 1980s. Years later, the Chapmans were part of the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy when objections to a connecting bridge from Hindmarsh to Goolwa were brought up by the Ngarrindjeri people in the 1990s.^[5][6]

Awards and honors

Chapman was named a Member of the Order of Australia at the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours.^[7]

Personal life

Chapman is married to Tom^[8] and has four children.^[6][3]

References

1. Cadman, Kerith A., ed. (1988). "CHAPMAN, Wendy Jennifer". Who's who in Australia. The Herald and Weekly Times Limited. p. 185.
2. Mosler, Sharon (2011). "Appendices". Heritage Politics in Adelaide. University of Adelaide Press. pp. 166–171. ISBN 9780987073044. JSTOR 10.20851/j.ctt1t30522.15.
3. "Woman elected Lord Mayor of Adelaide". Canberra Times. 3 October 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
4. "Adelaide mayor loses". Canberra Times. 6 May 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
5. Partington, Geoffrey (2013). Making Sense of History. Xlibris. p. 90. ISBN 9781483629209. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
6. Chamberlin, Paul (16 February 1995). "Court tells minister: disregard black law". Canberra Times. p. 1. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
7. "Queen's Birthday Honours". Canberra Times. 9 June 1986. p. 10. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
8. "Court tells minister: disregard black law". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 16 February 1995. p. 1. Retrieved 24 July 2019.