NSW: Lucy Turnbull named Sydney's first female Lord Mayor

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NSW: Lucy Turnbull named Sydney's first female Lord Mayor

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Lawyer Lucy Turnbull was tonight named Sydney's first femalelord mayor as Frank Sartor officially resigned after 12 years in the role.

Mrs Turnbull, a mother of two, was elected unopposed, while another female legal professional,barrister Dixie Coulton, was elected deputy by five votes to two.

Ms Coulton was elected over the city's ALP councillor, Robert Ho, who Mr Sartor hadearlier been expected to support.

After the meeting, Mrs Turnbull said she was thrilled to become Sydney's first female lord mayor.

"It's a great privilege," she said.

"I know I possibly was expecting it for a couple of months, but it was still greatto have it officially."

Mrs Turnbull said she would celebrate her election by hosting a function commemoratingMr Sartor's last council meeting.

Her position will be officially approved by NSW Governor Marie Bashir later this week.

Mrs Turnbull is the wife of former Australian Republican Movement chairman MalcolmTurnbull, and holds several board positions.

She will remain interim lord mayor until council elections in September this year.

Mr Sartor, the City of Sydney's longest serving lord mayor, stepped down after winningthe southern Sydney seat of Rockdale in last month's state election.

The successful nomination for Lord Mayor will be handed to NSW Governor Marie Bashirfor approval before the end of the week.

AAP ld/sek/brR

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