Wendy McCarthy

Wendy Elizabeth McCarthy (born 22 July 1941) is an Australian businesswoman, activist and former university administrator. McCarthy has worked for reform across the public, private and community sectors, in education, family planning, human rights, public health, and overseas aid and development, as well as in conservation, heritage, and media. She was Chancellor of the University of Canberra from 1996 to 2005.

Early life and education Wendy Elizabeth McCarthy was born on 22 July 1941 in , New South Wales.

After attending Forbes High School, at the age of 16 McCarthy was awarded a teacher scholarship to attend the University of New England and began her professional life as a secondary school teacher, teaching in Sydney, London and Pittsburgh.

Career McCarthy's first experience as a political lobbyist came about in 1968 when, newly pregnant, she and her husband joined the Childbirth Education Association, campaigning for, among other issues, the rights of fathers to be present at the births of their children.

McCarthy's career as an advocate for women was advanced during a period of significant reform and change when she served as the deputy chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1983-1991), while also working as General Manager Communications with the Australian Bicentennial Authority (1985-1989).

In 1995 she was appointed to the Economic Planning Advisory Commission's four-member task force to the prime minister on Australia's child care needs to 2010.

McCarthy's leadership in the public and women's health sectors continued with her role as chair of the National Better Health for All and associated National Better Health Program Management Committee (1989–1992). A decade later she was a member NSW Health Care Advisory Council, chair NSW Health Participation Council, and co-chair of the NSW Sustainable Access Health Priority Taskforce.

Other roles McCarthy has represented Australia at conferences on women's health and leadership, education, broadcasting, conservation and heritage.

In June 2016 she stepped down after eight years as chair of headspace – the National Youth Mental Health Foundation;

she is a member of the advisory group of 1 Million Women, a group focused on climate change activism.

Publications McCarthy is the author of a number of books, including her memoirs Don't Fence Me In published by Random House in 2000

Recognition and honours 1989: Officer of the Order of Australia, for outstanding contributions to community affairs, women's affairs and the Bicentennial celebrations 2003: Centenary of Federation medal, for business leadership 2011: Featured in the International Women's Day publication The Power of 100: One Hundred Women Who Have Shaped Australia, which profiled 100 women who have shaped Australia 2013: Inaugural inductee of the Women's Agenda Hall of Fame, for her contribution to the lives of Australian women 2025: Companion of the Order of Australia, for "eminent service to children and youth, to health, to the arts, to business, to the community, and to women's leadership"

Personal life In December 1964, Wendy Ryan married Gordon McCarthy born 17 March 1940, whom she met on a blind date in September 1963. He died on 19 August 2017. Their three children are Sophie McCarthy, Hamish, and Sam McCarthy.