Gillian Aldridge

Gillian Mary Aldridge OAM (born 11 November 1946)^{[ citation needed ]} is the current mayor of the City of Salisbury, South Australia. Aldridge was first elected to council in 1988. She was deputy mayor from 2001 to 2008. Since 2008, she has been mayor, ^[1] winning a fifth term in 2022 14,661 votes against 11,496 for former councillor Graham Reynolds. ^[2]

Aldridge has made numerous public statements in support of multiculturalism, including condemning racist behaviour ^[3] and calling for the City of Salisbury's website to acknowledge the African heritage of its founder, John Harvey. ^[4] She has stated that she is an "advocate for diversity". ^[5] Aldridge was supportive of the controversial Drag Storytime event in 2023 and praised the attendees as "amazingly strong, wonderful people" for attending despite the abuse from protesters. ^[6]

Aldridge defended the councils plans for use of smart city technology during the Salisbury smart cities controversy. ^[7]

When a statue gifted by sister city Mobara was stolen from Mobara park, Aldridge described it as "the saddest thing that's happened since I've been mayor". ^[8]

In recognition of her service, Aldridge received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018, celebrating her outstanding contributions to local government. ^[9]

Aldridge received $41,490 in gifts during the 2022 Council Election ^{[10] [11]}

Declaration of gifts during 2022 Council Election

Date	Donor	Amount	Notes
28-Feb-2022	Vater Eltrak Unit Trust	$2,500
08-Mar-2022	Tyrone Electrical	$2,500
11-Mar-2022	Solidstate	$2,000
17-May-2022	M Calbabro MC	$5,000
23-May-2022	Paulumbo Building	$2,500
22-Jun-2022	Moveyourself	$1,200
22-Jun-2022	Tyrone	$1,200
22-Jun-2022	In2Development	$720
23-Jun-2022	RPNSA	$920
24-Jun-2022	KNT Pacific	$1,200
04-Jul-2022	Martin Real Estate	$1,200
14-Jul-2022	Vater Corporations	$4,050
03-Aug-2022	Highway 1	$10,000
05-Sep-2022	Basetec Services Pty	$500
19-Sep-2022	MMH Allied Invest	$5,500
14-Jul-2022	Wolf Bass Galery and Museum	$500

Personal Life

Aldridge resides in Mawson Lakes with her husband Robin and their two toy poodles. In interviews, she's mentioned she enjoys community events, home cooking, live music and spending time on her balcony overlooking the lake. ^[12]

Aldridge is the mother of failed independent and Pauline Hansons One Nation political candidate, Mark Aldridge. ^[13]

References

1. "Council". City of Salisbury. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
2. "Gillian Aldridge OAM to lead City of Salisbury for fifth term". Mirage News. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
3. "Police investigating 'very disturbing' racist sign on bridge over major Adelaide road". ABC News. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
4. "'It's about time it changed': Pioneer's African descent left out of South Australia's history books". ABC News. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
5. Smith, Leah (22 December 2024). "Lizzie Flaherty reveals how grief led her to be part of Salisbury library's city-first social worker program".
6. Feldhoff, Brought to you byABC ADELAIDEPresented bySonya; Schiller, Jules (15 July 2024). "Salisbury's Drag Story Time attracts complaints & 'frightening' protests". ABC listen. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
7. Shepherd, Tory (25 January 2023). "Protesters against South Australian council's 'Big Brother' tech invoke Liberal Alex Antic's video". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 September 2025.
8. "Angle grinder used to steal special bronze sculpture from Adelaide Park". 9News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
9. "Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge shows us around her townhouse - realestate.com.au". www.realestate.com.au. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
10. "Large gifts return". 21 September 2022.
11. "Large gifts return". 21 September 2022.
12. "Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge shows us around her townhouse - realestate.com.au". www.realestate.com.au. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
13. "'I'd shoot them all': Tribunal finds failed political candidate threatened hoons". ABC News. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

Civic offices
Preceded by Tony Zappia	Mayor of the City of Salisbury 2008–present	Incumbent