Rochelle Porteous: Death of former Inner West councillor, mayor, ‘trailblazer’

Former Inner West councillor and mayor Rochelle Porteous has died, with colleagues paying tribute to the “trailblazer” for not only the Greens, but women, in local government.

Former Inner West councillor and mayor Rochelle Porteous has died, with colleagues remembering her as a “trailblazer”.

Australian politician and Greens member Jamie Parker broke the news via social media that Ms Porteous died this week, posting a touching tribute to his “great friend and colleague”.

“I’m so sad to say goodbye to Rochelle, a great friend and colleague who was such a champion for our local community and a fighter for the disadvantaged,” he said.

“Rochelle served as a councillor on Leichhardt and inner west council for 16 years including several stints as Mayor.

“She was a powerful advocate in the disability and homelessness sector where she worked. A relentless campaigner for Callan Park, refugees and asylum seekers, accountable governments and a planing system that served people and the environment.”

She served council for more than 17 years. Picture: Keri Megelus

Porteous is being remembered as a “trailblazer”. Picture: Keri Megelus

“She will be greatly missed.”

Serving as a councillor for both Inner West and Leichhardt between 2004 to 2016, then as mayor over multiple stints from 2017 to 2021, Ms Porteous is one of the longest serving councillors across the region.

Ms Porteous was also a member of Greenpeace for two years.

Ms Porteous co-ordinated the NSW 2017 Local Government election campaign for the Greens and helped lead their social media team the year prior.

She served her community in a variety of ways including directing the Stepping Out Housing initiative, a domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse and homelessness program, and being campaign co-ordinator for Cyda, an organisation for children and young people.

Hawkesbury councillor and Greens member Danielle Wheeler also took to social media, sharing her thoughts on Ms Porteous.

“Rochelle was warm, clever, funny and fierce,” she said.

“She was a trailblazer for the Greens local government, especially for women.

“We are all richer for knowing and working with her.”