Cr Downey honoured with ‘Elected Representative’ Minister Award win

In a special ceremony at Parliament House, Cr Downey said she was grateful that people had recognised the work and effort that went into being a local Councillor.
A lifelong resident and local high school teacher, she has decided to call it quits but will continue to inspire and mentor young women to follow in her footsteps.
“It’s not just an award for me, it acknowledges the work of women in general across the State who contribute their time and effort to their local community,” Cr Downey said.
Elected to the former Bankstown City Council in 2008, she was the first woman elected to represent the South Ward (which is now Revesby Ward).
“I wanted to represent the views of ordinary people and there weren’t very many women on the council at the time,” she said.
She served eight years on the Bankstown City Council, before being elected to the merged City of Canterbury Bankstown in 2017, as Mayor between 2014-15 and later Deputy Mayor in 2021 for Canterbury Bankstown.
Among her many achievements, Cr Downey played a significant role in the City’s commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli and chaired the ANZAC Commemoration Committee.
“I had a great uncle who died on the Western Front, so I’ve had a bit of an interest of Australians who served there. It was a real highlight to be in Gallipoli for the centenary,” she said.
Other achievements included advocating for the redevelopment of Revesby pool, as well as improved traffic in the area and town centre upgrades.
Cr Downey’s decision not to contest the next election wasn’t an easy one but said she would still play an active role in the local community.
“I’m stepping down as a Councillor, but that doesn’t mean I’m stepping out of the community,” she said.
“I’m the careers advisor at East Hills Girls Technology School and I will continue to illustrate to young girls that there’s really rewarding career paths in Local Government.”