Helen Sham-Ho
Encyclopedia
Helen Wai-Har Sham-Ho (born 9 September 1943) is a former Australia
n politician. Born in Hong Kong
, she migrated to Australia in 1961. She studied law at the University of Sydney
and Macquarie University
. Her first marriage produced two daughters; her second marriage was to Robert Ho on 15 December 1987. In 1982 she had joined the Epping
Branch of the Liberal Party
.
In 1988, she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
for the Liberal Party. She was the first Chinese
-born parliamentarian in Australia. She continued as a Liberal MLC until 1998, when she resigned from the party to sit as an independent
. She retired before the 2003 election
.
In 1992 she became one of the eminent Australians
serving on the original Foundation Council of
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
.
Since her retirement she has been involved in various fund-raising activities in her local community.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician. Born in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, she migrated to Australia in 1961. She studied law at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
and Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
. Her first marriage produced two daughters; her second marriage was to Robert Ho on 15 December 1987. In 1982 she had joined the Epping
Epping, New South Wales
Epping is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Epping is located 18 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government areas of the City of Ryde, the City of Parramatta and Hornsby Shire and is located in the Northern...
Branch of the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
.
In 1988, she was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
for the Liberal Party. She was the first Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
-born parliamentarian in Australia. She continued as a Liberal MLC until 1998, when she resigned from the party to sit as an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. She retired before the 2003 election
New South Wales state election, 2003
Elections to the 53rd Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 22 March 2003. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
.
In 1992 she became one of the eminent Australians
serving on the original Foundation Council of
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy is a group that aims to preserve Australia's current constitutional monarchy, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia...
.
Since her retirement she has been involved in various fund-raising activities in her local community.