 joan elizabeth kirner ac (born 20 june 1938), australian politician, was the 42nd premier of victoria, the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat. ==early life and career== kirner was born joan hood in essendon, melbourne and was educated at state and private schools and at the university of melbourne, where she graduated in arts and completed a teaching qualification. she taught in state schools and became active in school and parents' organisations. in 1960 she married ron kirner, with whom she had three children. she was president of the victorian federation of states school parents' clubs, an influential education lobby from 1971 to 1977 and its executive officer from 1978 to 1982. she was appointed to several government advisory bodies on education. ==entry into state politics== kirner joined the australian labor party in 1978 and became a member of its socialist left faction. in 1982, she was elected as a labor member of the victorian legislative council, the upper house of the victorian parliament. in 1985, she was elected to the cabinet of [[john cain ii|john
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