Trixie Gardner, Baroness Gardner of Parkes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Baroness Gardner of Parkes
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 23 June 1981 Life Peerage |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rachel Trixie Anne McGirr
17 July 1927 Parkes, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 14 April 2024 (aged 96) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Relations | Greg McGirr (father) James McGirr (uncle) Patrick McGirr (uncle) Joe McGirr (nephew) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Rachel Trixie Anne Gardner, Baroness Gardner of Parkes, AM, FRSA, JP (born McGirr; 17 July 1927 – 14 April 2024) was an Australian-born British dentist and a member of the Conservative Party. She served in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. She was the first Australian woman to be given a special title called a "peerage," which allowed her to sit in the House of Lords. At the time of her death, she was the longest-serving "life peer" in the House of Lords. A life peer is someone given a special title for their lifetime to help make laws.
Contents
About Baroness Gardner
Early Life and Education
Baroness Gardner was born in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. Her father, Greg McGirr, was a leader of the New South Wales Labor Party in Australia. She studied dentistry at the University of Sydney, earning her degree in 1954. She also studied cooking in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu. In 1957, she moved to the United Kingdom.
Her Political Career
Baroness Gardner was very active in politics and public service.
- From 1968 to 1978, she was a councillor for the Westminster City Council. A councillor is someone elected to help run a local area.
- She was also the Lady Mayoress of Westminster in 1987–88, when her husband was the Lord Mayor.
- She ran for Parliament for the Conservative Party in 1970 and 1974.
- In 1971, she became a Justice of the Peace, which means she could help with legal matters in her community.
- She was also a member of the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1970 to 1973 and again from 1977 to 1986. The GLC was a body that governed London.
- From 1982 to 1988, she was the UK's representative on the United Nations Status of Women Commission. This group works to improve the lives of women around the world.
On 19 June 1981, Baroness Gardner was given the title of Baroness Gardner of Parkes. This special title made her a "life peeress," meaning she could serve in the House of Lords for the rest of her life. She was given this honor because of her many years of community and local government work. She was the first Australian woman to receive such a title. In 2007, she was also made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney.
Family Background
Baroness Gardner's family had a strong history in politics. Her grandfather, John McGirr, came from Ireland. Her father, Greg McGirr, led the New South Wales Labor Party in Australia for a short time in 1923. Her uncle, James McGirr, was also a politician and served as the Premier of New South Wales from 1947 to 1952. Her nephew, Dr. Jack McGirr, is a dentist and a former Mayor in Sydney.
Personal Life
Baroness Gardner was married to Kevin Gardner (1930–2007), who was also from Australia. He was also a dentist and moved to London in 1955. They married in Paris in 1956 and made their home in London.
Kevin Gardner was also involved in public service. In 1982, he was elected to the Westminster City Council, just like his wife had been. He was the first Australian to become the Lord Mayor of Westminster. He was re-elected as a councillor in 2006 at the age of 75. Kevin Gardner passed away in 2007.
Baroness Gardner and her husband had three daughters: Joanna, Rachel, and Sarah. Joanna followed in her parents' footsteps and became the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London from 2008 to 2009. The Gardner family was very religious and followed the Catholic faith.
Baroness Gardner passed away on 14 April 2024, at the age of 96.
Images for kids
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The coronet of a British Baron
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The coat of arms for Baroness Gardner of Parkes
