I trained as a Home Economics Teacher. Through contact with International Congress Home Economics, I saw how women with cooking, nutrition and money management skills would best keep families out of poverty and care for children. Sadly many new mothers today have to learn these skills as adults. Others recovering from drugs and alcohol abuse discover these life skills in rehabilitation.

My political ideals have been formed in the co-operative and Labour movement. I campaigned against apartheid and led boycott of South African goods. Today that commitment to social justice drives me to support Traidcraft through co-op promotions.

I married John McMaster (1975) and continued my career as a Senior Lecturer at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, until 1986 when I returned to Glasgow.

As a Consultant and trainer with voluntary organisations I delivered life skills programmes, courses for Food Hygiene (REHIS), Nutrition and food preparation in residential care for elderly. During this period I began to take an interest in Tourism and through my consultancy work became a member of the Tourism Society.

I was active in the Labour Party as a branch secretary for Mount Vernon and stood for the Regional Council 1994. I was elected for Wellhouse in 1995, and for Garthamlock in 1999 and again in 2003.

I have found that people are willing to challenge and confront issues of regeneration. Community involvement makes demands on volunteers to give time and energy in decision making and problem solving. Regeneration is about building the future for our children. As a nutrition and family life specialist I support projects in Nursery and childcare, which deliver improve Healthcare services for our children and elderly.

Greater Easterhouse has set the pace with social inclusion, bringing local people into active participation, through credit unions, money advice, community arts where music, dance, design and heritage enrich the quality of life. Sports and leisure services are part of healthy living open to all. Tourism can become the base for many new jobs because of the links between culture and locality based community arts. Heritage and Retailing at Auchenlea is a major economic centre for regeneration.

As a Councillor I am committed to the process of Community planning, and have led in the formation of three Community Planning Groups (Craigend/Garthamlock, Provanhall and Gartloch/Cardowan) within Garthamlock Ward. I hope that as Chair of the Bishop’s Wood Area Committee I will be able to encourage similar developments throughout Greater Easterhouse.