Joy Baluch, Mayor Extraordinaire
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (335361)
Rockingham, Australia
November 21, 2016 8:24pm CST
We saw this eye-catching statue in Port Augusta, South Australia, on our recent trip in that area. The woman depicted is Nancy Joy Baluch who served as Mayor of the town, over two periods, for a record 29 years. Joy as she was known was born in 1932 and later married a Ukrainian who had been held captive in Dachau concentration camp during World War II. She owned a motel from 1961 to 1981.
She became involved in politics, campaigning for improved health services. This was prompted by the severe asthma that affected her son. After being elected mayor in 1981, she banned drinking in public places and later imposed a night-time curfew on the town to reduce violence.
Following the death of her husband around 1997 from lung cancer attributed to working in power stations, she campaigned for solar-thermal energy as a replacement for coal-fired power. She died in 2013, still mayor, after a long battle with breast cancer.
Joy Baluch was awarded several honours in her lifetime. The statue captures the essence of a strong, vibrant woman, don't you think?
15 people like this
15 responses
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
22 Nov 16
What an inspiring woman! .. thanks for sharing this .. ;) ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
22 Nov 16
@JudyEv traveling really educates us doesn't it?..
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 16
@epiffanie I was picking up new information every day while we were away.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Nov 16
I love that the hat and scarf are blue
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
22 Nov 16
most certainly 't does. the sculptor did a most 'xcellent job 'f portrayin' such a pioneerin' lady. she fought fer that which she t'was passionate 'bout 'n the townsfolk supported her efforts. what a beautiful thing!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
22 Nov 16
@JudyEv someone i'd loved to've met :)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 17
It's beautifully done, isn't it? And she looks a quite flamboyant, self-assured lady.
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
22 Nov 16
It is great seeing things like that honoring peopel who did the most with their lives!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 16
To be mayor for so long she must have been a strong yet popular person.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
22 Nov 16
And now you have made her famous all over the world! Awesome!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 16
I love the outfit she is wearing. And she was obviously keen on rings.
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Nov 16
The statue certainly captured her in a thoughtful pose.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 16
I love the outfit she is wearing too. Looks like she was very much her own person.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Nov 16
Our Mayor is a soccer mom trying to turn our laid back hippie town into a soccer mom town. It's not going well. She only won by five votes, and the word "recall" is being bandied about.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
22 Nov 16
She sounds like an amazing woman and the statue does her justice.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335361)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 16
I love seeing sculptures like this. Thanks for reading.
