Born in Newcastle,New South Wales,she received a Bachelor of Arts (Diploma of Education) from the University of Newcastle,Australia and became a high school teacher from 1974 to 1978 and 1983 to 1986. She had joined the Liberal Party in 1968,and served on the State Executive 1982-1991 and 1993–1995. After a period as a public affairs manager from 1987 to 1988,she was Executive Officer to the Minister for Local Government and Planning from 1988 to 1991.[1]
Political career
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In 1991, Forsythe was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council as a Liberal member. During her period in the Legislative Council, Forsythe spoke against moves by the Federal party and student Liberal organisations who were promoting voluntary student unionism[citation needed] In 2005, Forsythe expressed concern over the "extreme religious right" in the Liberal Party after the resignation and suicide attempt of then Liberal leader John Brogden. Forsythe named David Clarke as leader of the religious right.[2]
Forsythe was challenged for preselection by Matthew Mason-Cox for the 2007 state election. However, she resigned on 22 September 2006 and took up appointment as Executive Director of the NSW Business Chamber. She was replaced by Mason-Cox in the Legislative Council.
On 1 March 2019 it was announced that Forsythe had been appointed the post of High Commissioner to New Zealand,[4] despite having no previous diplomatic experience and the role being typically held by a career Department of Foreign Affairs officer.[5] Forsythe served concurrently as non-resident High Commissioner to the Cook Islands and Niue until 2020, and completed her term as High Commissioner to New Zealand in March 2022.
Forsythe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for significant service to business, and to the people and Parliament of New South Wales.[6]
On 4 October 2023 the University of Newcastle announced the appointment of Forsythe as the university's next chancellor, replacing Paul Jeans. Forsythe's term as chancellor commenced on 1 January 2024.[7]
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