Margaret O'Rourke

Margaret O'Rourke
OAM
Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo
In office
2016–2020
Deputy
Preceded byRod Fyffe
Succeeded byJennifer Alden
Councilor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Eppalock Ward
In office
2016–2024
Personal details
Bornc.1962
East Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Political partyIndependent
Children2

Margaret O'Rourke OAM is an Australian former politician who served as Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo from 2016 to 2020 and as a councillor from 2016 to 2024.

Early life and career

O'Rourke was born in East Bendigo and attended St Mary's College. After completing year 12, she got a job at Telecom Australia as a typist.[1] In 2000, she became the Area General Manager for Telstra Country Wide for Hobart and Southern Tasmanian. She left Telstra returned to Bendigo in 2006.[2]

After leaving Telstra, O'Rourke served on various committees, including as Chair of Bendigo TAFE, Chair of Bendigo Business Council, Director of Bendigo Health Care Group, Director of Aspire Cultural and Charitable Foundation, and Director of TasPorts.[3]

Political career

O’Rourke was first elected to the City of Greater Bendigo Council in the 2016 election, where she received 16.1% of the primary vote in Eppalock Ward. She was elected by the council to serve as mayor with former Bendigo mayor Rod Fyffe serving as deputy mayor. This marked the introduction of the position of deputy mayor within the City of Greater Bendigo.[4]

In 2017, the council reelected O’Rourke as mayor, with councillor Jennifer Alden serving as deputy mayor.[5] As mayor, O'Rourke advocated for the establishment of the Galkangu state government services hub which streamlined public services in Bendigo.[6][7] During O'Rourke's tenure as mayor, Qantas opened passenger transport flights between Bendigo Airport and to Sydney commencing in March 2019.[8]

In 2018, the council once again reelected O’Rourke as mayor, with Fyffe returning as deputy mayor.

O'Rourke was elected mayor for a final time in 2019, with councillor Matt Emond serving as deputy mayor. As mayor of Bendigo at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, O'Rourke led the council in managing the city's initial response.[9]

In the 2020 election, O'Rourke was reelected to the council with 28.41% of the primary vote.[10]

In 2024 O'Rourke received the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community in the King’s Birthday Honours List.[11]

O'Rourke did not contest the 2024 election.

Post-council career

O’Rourke was appointed as the Head of La Trobe University's Bendigo campus in January 2024 [12]

References

  1. ^ Grant, Jan, ed. (2013). The Local Heroes: City of Greater Bendigo. Vol. 3. Photography by Simmon Pang. Shepparton: Local Heroes Publications. pp. 10–15, 350. ISBN 978-0-9806160-2-6.
  2. ^ Scicluna, Angela (31 May 2018). "Interview with: Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke". Regional Capitals Australia. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Ports not as profitable, but the directors are doing OK. Labor and top jobs". Tasmanian Times. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  4. ^ "City congratulates Cr Margaret O'Rourke OAM | City of Greater Bendigo". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Past Councillors". City of Bendigo. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  6. ^ Staff Writers (10 June 2024). "Former mayors recognised in King's Birthday honours". Government News. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  7. ^ Victoria, Regional Development (1 September 2023). "Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub". Regional Development Victoria. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  8. ^ "New Qantas service to fly from Bendigo to Sydney six days a week". Bendigo Advertiser. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Bendigo mayor calls for more detail about COVID-19 infections in regional areas". Bendigo Advertiser. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Greater Bendigo City Council election results 2020". Victorian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  11. ^ "City congratulates Cr Margaret O'Rourke OAM | City of Greater Bendigo". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Bendigo Campus Head appointed". La Trobe University. Retrieved 27 November 2024.