Judith Adams facts for kids

Judith Anne Adams (born Bird; 11 April 1943 – 31 March 2012) was an important Australian politician. She was born in New Zealand. Judith Adams was also a midwife, a nurse, and a farmer. She served as a member of the Australian Senate from 2005 to 2012. She represented the state of Western Australia.

Judith Adams' Early Life

Judith Adams was born in Picton, New Zealand. She trained to be a nurse and a midwife. She had special training for working in operating rooms.

In 1963, she joined the New Zealand army reserves as a nursing sister. Later, she went to Vietnam as a civilian nurse. This was part of the Colombo Plan, a program to help other countries. She served there during the Vietnam War.

Moving to Australia

In 1968, Judith Adams moved to Australia. She worked for the Medical Department of Western Australia. She was part of the Emergency Nursing Service. This meant she worked in different regional towns across Western Australia.

She met her future husband, Gordon Adams, in Meekatharra. Gordon was a pilot for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They got married in 1970.

Life as a Farmer

Judith and Gordon first leased a farm in Quindanning. In 1972, they bought their own farm in Kojonup.

While living in Western Australia, Judith was very involved in health groups. She was a leader in the Healthcare Association of Western Australia. She also worked with the Australian Healthcare Association and the National Rural Health Alliance. She was part of a group that looked at health in the countryside.

From 2000 to 2004, she was a leader in the Liberal Party of Australia. Her husband, Gordon, passed away in 2008.

Political Career

In 2001, Judith Adams ran for a local election in Western Australia. She was a candidate for the seat of Wagin but she did not win.

Joining the Senate

Judith Adams was elected to the Australian Senate in the 2004 federal election. Her time in the Senate started on 1 July 2005. She became one of the oldest women to enter the Australian parliament.

While in parliament, she was a deputy opposition whip. This meant she helped organize her political party. She also helped change rules about farming (wheat laws) and the army (defence force policy).

Later Life and Legacy

Judith Adams was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. The cancer returned in 2008. She passed away from the disease in March 2012 at Kalamunda Hospital. She was 68 years old.

After her death, another person named Dean Smith took her place in the Senate. He was appointed by the Parliament of Western Australia on 2 May 2012.

See also

• Women in the Australian Senate