By Gabriella Vukman
Publisher, director tried and true councillor and mother of three Susan Riley is a recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.
After an abundant career ranging from owning businesses in the media and publishing industries to serving as Melbourne’s first female deputy mayor, Ms Riley’s OAM recognises her outstanding service to local government and the community of Melbourne.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this,” Ms Riley said.
“When I first received the letter of nomination in November, I was surprised but I didn’t think anything would come of it so receiving this Order of Australia Medal caught me completely off guard.”
“Receiving this order of Australia in the general division for my services for the city of Melbourne pleased me because as a councillor it’s your duty to do what you have to do for the people,” Ms Riley said.
Whilst residing in the Gully area, the city of Melbourne has been a central part of Susan’s businesses and career journey.
“My soul has always been in the Gully but my head and heart were aligned with the CBD,” Ms Riley said.
“Having published ‘Lifestyle Magazine’ in the city for 20 odd years, and then going into the Melbourne town hall to serve there for 15 years my heart has always aligned with the concern, ‘what about the people of Melbourne?’”
“living in the Gully, and having a business and a unit in the city really meant that I had the best of both worlds.”
Having worked at the Dandenong journal for ten years, Ms Riley felt it was time to “tell all of the workers in the city what a fabulous city we have” and did so through her work in ‘Lifestyle Magazine’.”
In terms of giving back to the city, Ms Riley’s portfolio included taking care of small business, retail and hospitality as well as creating space for women in business.
“With my hand on my heart, I always put the city and the people first,” Ms Riley said.
“I always had this motto that when you are elected to be a councillor in the city of Melbourne, you are there because the people of the city of Melbourne have elected you to serve them and I never ever forgot that I was there for them, the people and the community.”
Ms Riley’s service as Melbourne’s first female deputy lord mayor ignited her motivation to help all womankind be able to contribute to their city.
“Walking into the Melbourne Town Hall for the first time, I really felt the lack of women in the space,” Ms Riley said.
“The portraits that were up all around the hall were of old men and try as I might, I could not find a woman!”
“I suppose I was motivated by this aspect to make a difference in the lack of women representation and I am proud to say that representing the women of Melbourne as Deputy Lord Mayor was one of my greatest achievements.”
Being taken aback by the absence of women in the Melbourne town Hall, Ms Riley took it upon herself to create the annual ‘Women in business’ lunch with the first event consisting of ten people in a boardroom to now 400 women turning up each year.
Ms Riley said, “one of my portfolios in the city was to look after the small businesses and it was terrible seeing the pandemic affect the city.”
“Working from home has changed the scale of the city. On Weekends it’s quite dead but the nightlife in the city is just coming of age again.”
Ms Riley hopes the city will soon return back to its original colourful and bustling state.
With the welfare of small businesses as part of her portfolio as Deputy Lord Mayor, Ms Riley played a pivotal role in organising Melbourne fashion week.
“Fashion week was another huge one for me seeing as no other local council in Australia actually owns and runs Melbourne Fashion week,” Ms Riley said.
“And that gives all those other designers and retailers an opportunity to express and share their wares.”
Ms Riley said, “life changes and you’ve got to roll with it and I believe I have rolled well and I am so blessed to have such an amazing working life.”
Filled with national pride at her achievement, Ms Riley insisted that whilst there are always things one can reflect upon and wish to change, she “generally could not have been happier” with her lot.
With a career filled with giving back to the city of Melbourne community in her wake, Ms Riley “could not wait” to tell her friends and family about her Order of Australia achievement.
“The reaction from my Children and family was wonderful and no-one could believe I keep it a secret for two months,” Ms Riley said.
“I have very proud children and grandkids.”
