Joy Baluch AM
Mayor, City of Port Augusta
President of the Local Government Association
Joy Baluch is a successful self-employed businesswoman and one of the most dynamic and energetic leaders of Local Government in Australia. Born and brought up in Port Augusta she was first elected to the City Council in 1970 and in 1981 she became Mayor. She has served Port Augusta in that capacity for twenty two years, facing elections on thirteen occasions.
In addition to the decades of outstanding service to her community, where her fierce loyalty, outspokenness and refreshingly frank views have made her name a household word in the Upper Spencer Gulf area, she has given her astonishing talent for leadership and guidance to the wider Australian community. She has been involved in, among many other things, the Legal Services Commission, Australian Airports Association, the SA Regional Development Task Force, the SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Australian Local Government Women's Association and the Flinders Ranges Area Consultative Committee. Other commitments have included fisheries, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, Outback Areas Community Development Trust, and much else. She was responsible for the establishment of a Women's and Children's Emergency Shelter, Child Care Centre, Homeless Persons Hostel and Remote and Isolated Children's Exercise. This is a remarkable record of accomplishment.
Her service has extended to the broader footing of Local Government organisations at the Provincial, State and Commonwealth level. This a Board Member and Past President of the Australian Local Government association, and is the current President of the Local Government Association of South Australia.
Mayor Baluch is an outstanding Australian with an exemplary record of devoted public service.
I Back to Speakers I