Tea Tree Gully Council’s first ever mayor Lesley Purdom dies at age 84

The first ever woman mayor in Adelaide’s northeast has been remembered as a “stateswoman” of the community and a “great mentor” after her passing.

Tea Tree Gully’s first ever female mayor Lesley Purdom has died. Picture: File.

Former Tea Tree Gully mayor, health advocate and charity worker Lesley Purdom AM has died at the age of 84.

Purdom, an elected member of over two decades between 1970 and 2006, was also the district’s first-ever female mayor, with two stints totalling more than 12 years.

First elected to the former Drumminor Ward in July 1970, the tireless community advocate told The Messenger in 2006 she had three “enforced rests” after election losses.

In fact, her council career, which would often take up to 80 hours of her week, began while soaking in the bath.

“The night before nominations closed in 1970 the sitting councillor came down and asked (husband) Keith if he would nominate for council,’’ she told The Messenger in 2006.

“I was relaxing with my coffee and book in the bubble bath when Keith ... yelled at me ‘how would you like to run for council?’, and I yelled back ‘yes’.”

Wanting to return “dignity” to council, Purdom’s last political act was an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2014. Picture: Dave Cronin.

Purdom, who moved to the area in 1961, told The Messenger her only regret was that she was beaten in a 2000 election which ruined her chances of becoming state president of the Local Govenrment Association.

Wanting to bring “dignity” back to council, her final run for mayor in 2014 was unsuccessful, losing to current leader Kevin Knight.

Mr Knight said the mother of four, grandmother of six and great grandmother of four, provided “great service” to the community.

Purdom’s history of service:

* First elected in July, 1970

* Elected alderman in 1979

* Elected mayor 1991-97

* Re-elected councillor in 1999

* Re-elected mayor 2000-06

“It was a privilege and honour to serve under her and I consider her a great mentor,” Mr Knight said.

“When I was first elected, I drew on her wisdom, experience and knowledge and appreciated her guidance with wearing the robes and chain of office.

“She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.”

Former Tea Tree Gully mayor Miriam Smith said Purdom “led by example” and had remarkable longevity.

Purdom was a tireless worker for the Modbury Hospital. Picture: Noelle Bobrige.

“She was certainly a very integral part of the community,” Ms Smith said.

“I always considered her to be a stateswoman in the Tea Tree Gully area.

“I had a high, high regard and level of respect for her. She practised what she preached.”

Longserving councillor Bernie Keane said her longlasting service should be commended.

After her 2006 election loss, Purdom said she would “have to learn how to live another life”.

And she certainly achieved that, devoting herself to the community as president of the Modbury Rotary Club and Modbury Hospital Community Support Group, a volunteer JP and patron of several local charities and clubs.

She was also a vocal opponent to a possible downgrading of Modbury Hospital’s emergency department in 2015.

Cr Damian Wyld with Purdom, Margaret Riley and then Cr Paul Barbaro who campaigned against the possible closure of Modbury Hospital’s emergency department. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Modbury Rotary vice president Otto Baumgartner said she was a “great lady” and a proud member from 1995 to her final days.

“She was always for the community, she was never home,” Mr Baumgartner said with a laugh.

“She was very instrumental in helping the club physically... she was very community minded.”

Deputy Mayor Lucas Jones said Purdom brought “kindness and dignity” to the chamber.

“The community was at the heart of everything she did,” Cr Jones said.

He said the council’s two flags at the Modbury civic centre would be flown at half-mast until her funeral.

Purdom passed away peacefully on Wednesday after a battle with ill health.