Judith was born in Picton, New Zealand and after completing her secondary education trained as a general nurse, a midwife and gained a Diploma in Operating Theatre Nursing.

 

In 1963 Judith joined the NZ Territorial Army as a Nursing Sister, obtaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant and in 1967 was appointed to the NZ Surgical Team in Vietnam as a civilian nurse auspiced under the Columbo Plan.

 

Arriving in Western Australia in 1968, Judith was employed by the WA Medical Department as a member of the Emergency Nursing Service. This involved relieving as a Director of Nursing and midwife in rural and remote WA. She met her husband Gordon, a RFDS pilot, while working in Meekatharra and they married in 1970.

 

After leasing a property at Quindanning for 2 years they moved to Kojonup where they farmed for 36 years with their two sons. The family were very involved in the community and Judith was recognised as the Kojonup Lions Citizen of the Year in 1995.

 

Other community appointments included being a member of the PMH/KEMH Board, the Metropolitan Health Services Board, Aged Care Planning Advisory Committee and the President of the Country Hospital Boards Council (WA).

 

Elected as a Liberal Senator for Western Australia in 2004, Judith was successfully involved in securing changes to Government legislation in the areas of wheat legislation, the Australian Defence Force drug policy and the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme.

 

As well as being Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate, Judith is currently a member of the Community Affairs: Legislation and References Committees, Select Standing Committee on Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities, Selection of Bills Committee, Senators Interests Committee and the Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories.

 

Judith has worked and travelled extensively throughout WA and continues to be a strong advocate for those living outside the metropolitan area.