A career that has included five years on Wingecarribee Shire Council, 17 years as the Federal Member for Gilmore and nine years on Shoalhaven City Council, including four as mayor, (with one year crossover where she was also federal member), Mrs Gash has announced she won't be seeking re-election at the September Shoalhaven council elections.

"I just feel it's time," Mrs Gash said.

"I've pulled the pin, it's time to let someone else have a go."

She said there are a number of reasons behind her decision.

"First of all, the last few months on council have not been pleasant," she said.

Read more: 'Misogynistic bullying': Four women walk out of Shoalhaven council meeting

Cr Gash and three of her fellow female councillors walked out of a recent Shoalhaven Council development meeting.

"I don't know how to get people working together," she said.

"That was definitely one reason - the constant sniping.

"Perhaps if I went some of the others might go and free up spaces for new people to come on board, which is what I believe the council needs.

"The staff do an excellent job, the city is going gangbusters, it's just councillor personality clashes that are causing the angst."

Cr Gash was also diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and said her health is another factor in her decision.

"I was recalled again recently for a couple of biopsies, which were benign but I still have to go back every three months," she said.

"And stress is not good and that's what is certainly around council at the moment.

"I'm happy to move on and go on my own terms."

But Cr Gash has encouraged anyone considering standing for council to "go for it" and "have a go" - she even said she would be "happy to help any prospective candidates".

As for the future? "Fishing is always good," she joked.

"But seriously I have three great grandchildren now and it will be nice to spend time there and do something I enjoy doing - hopefully I might even get back to golf, which was a favourite."

But she says she won't be lost to the political game as it "gets in your blood".

"Sure I will keep an eye on politics," she said "I don't think you would ever get that out of my blood - 31 years has been a long time.

"It will be interesting to see who puts their hands up at state, federal and local levels and see what the outcome is."

She said it has been a career of many highlights, "too numerous to mention".

"Being Shoalhaven Mayor was always something I wanted to be, it's why I left federal politics to work for the local community," she said.

"We had some excellent people on board but also copped a lot of criticism and many of those are now doing the same thing.

"Too many highlights, I've always said one day I would have to put them down - but rest easy there is no book, at this stage."

Turning 77 this year, which she said she has made no secret of, it was "simply time".

"I don't think you ever really retire, I'm sure I'll find another project to work on," she said.

"I have always been working for the community, be it as a tourist officer, working in hospitality or politics - people and the community have always been my life.

"And I must thank all those who supported me over many years. All those thousands of people who handed out Gash brochures over the years.

"I'm extremely grateful to Australia for giving people like me a chance. I came out here in 1952, couldn't speak English, I left school at 15 became a sole parent and went on to join the Australian Parliament.

"It's been an Incredible journey."

She said she could see another nasty election campaign coming.

"I could see the Gash Gone campaign coming out again,"she said.

"People always get anxious around elections - there are people in council who should know better and should not allow this to happen.

"I've never been there for personal power, I've been there to help people - helping people that has always been my motto."

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