Trailblazing town clerk turns 100

A PIONEERING shire clerk who served Balranald Shire for over three decades today celebrates her centenary. 

When Norma Male was appointed as town clerk at Balranald Municipality in 1944 she was the first female to hold the position in New South Wales.

Following the municipality’s incorporation, Ms Male became shire clerk of Balranald Shire in 1957.

During her 30 years as Balranald town clerk, Ms Male oversaw the establishment of the Western Shires Dental Service, the library and the development of the rural road network.

She left Balranald in 1974, heading down to Sydney to work at the Town Clerk Society on a part-time basis for another 14 years and was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her service in 1975. 

Rob McMillan was one of Ms Male’s ‘Balranald boys’ — a group of men she mentored during her career at Balranald Shire.

Mr McMillan, who worked with Norma for over a decade, remembers a generous and kind hearted woman. 

“A lot of people thought she was like royalty in Balranald,” he told The Guardian. 

For more on this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (January 13).