Cade Lucas
Former Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter has been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, just months after her shock death.
The 45-year-old councillor was found dead at her home on August 6.
Ms Carter was one of 21 women inducted into the honour roll at a ceremony at the Arts Centre Melbourne on October 16.
Retired Federal Court judge Judy Small, trailblazing television and radio broadcaster Libbie Gorr, chairperson of the East African Women’s Foundation Dr Fartun Farah and women’s health expert professor Jane Gunn, were among the other women inducted across five different categories.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins congratulated the 2024 inductees.
“The Victorian Honour Roll of women recognises remarkable, intelligent and determined women who have paved the way for countless others, contributed to their communities and become leaders in their fields,” Ms Hutchins said.
“It’s an honour to announce 21 new inductees to the Honour Roll – they join more than 730 remarkable women who have helped to build Victoria into the state it is today.”
Considered a rising star of the Victorian Labor Party, Ms Carter was chosen as an honorary ministerial inductee.
After first being elected in 2008, Ms Carter spent the 16 years as a Maribyrnong councillor, becoming the first women to serve as mayor on three separate occasions, in 2011, 2020 and 2022.
She was returned for her fourth consecutive term in 2022 and died less than three months before the 2024 council elections.
Outside of local government, Ms Carter worked for humanitarian organisation Save The Children, was a passionate supporter of the Western Bulldogs Foundation and was renowned for her love of Melbourne’s west and her advocacy for the area.
Following her sudden death, the annual Sarah Carter Memorial Award was established in her honour, recognising outstanding women on behalf of the Australian Workers’ Union.
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women was established in 2001 by Victoria’s first female premier, the late Joan Kirner AC.
