Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

I wish to inform Council of the passing of community leader, Susan (Sue) Margaret Barker, on 27 August 2025.

Sue, a proud Wiradjuri woman, was born at the Women and Children's hospital at Camperdown on 25 November 1952. Her early life, being raised by a single mother along with her 6 siblings in the Yennora and Guildford areas, was tough. Yet these early struggles meant that she would go the extra mile for others.

She studied at Ultimo Tafe NSW and the University of Western Sydney, becoming a Youth and Social Worker advocating for women and children living with mental illness, young people in crisis, women escaping domestic violence and women adjusting to life after prison. She dedicated her adult life to building communities, supporting individuals who struggled to support themselves, and challenging the bureaucracy that stifled support for those that need it most.

Sue ran the Glebe Community Drug and Alcohol support groups out of Glebe Town Hall for many years, becoming a much-loved local identity. She led conferences on supporting women escaping domestic violence and supporting people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions and helped countless women and children to rebuild their lives, find community and be proud.

The Glebe community came to know “Auntie Sue” through Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings at Glebe Fire Station, on the streets of Glebe or through chats over her front yard fence.

Sue is survived by her children, Melissa, Natasha and Brett, 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom she greatly impacted.

the Rt HOn CLOVER MOORE AO

Lord Mayor of Sydney

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)      all persons attending this meeting of Council observe one minute's silence to commemorate the life of Susan (Sue) Margaret Barker and her significant contribution to the Glebe community, survivors of domestic violence and drug dependence, and Indigenous youth;

(B)      Council express its condolences to Sue's children, Melissa, Natasha and Brett, her 7 grandchildren and her 17 great grandchildren; and

(C)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Barker family to convey Council's condolences.

Carried unanimously.

S051491

Note – All Councillors, staff and members of the public present stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect to Sue Barker.