The National Steering Committee for the Year of Women in Local Government has announced 21 ambassadors for its 2010 celebrations.  Over the next 18 months these ambassadors will undertake the role of champions and role models for the advancement of women in Local Government and will each make a valuable contribution to the success of the Year of Women in Local Government 2010.

The ambassadors are:

In Western Australia
• Vicky Small – Manager Customer Service and Information Services – Shire of Augusta – Margaret River
• Kat Pinder– Community Development Officer – access and inclusion – City of Swan
• Councillor Elizabeth Re – City of Stirling
• Jonathan Throssell – CEO – Shire of Mundaring

In Queensland
• Sharon Solyma – Community Grants & Research officer – Gold Coast City Council
• Councillor Joyce Crombie – Diamantina Shire Council
• Michelle McFadyen – CEO – Longreach City Council

In New South Wales
• Neryl East – Manager Media and Communications – Shellharbour City Council
• Councillor Bruce Miller – President NSW Shire’s Association
• Dr Maree Smith – Laboratory Manager – Port Macquarie/Hastings Council
• Councillor Karen McKeown – Penrith City Council

In the Northern Territory
• Sandra Cannon – CEO – Victoria Daly Shire
• Ms Pam Robinson OAM – Manager Climate Change and Environment – Darwin City Council

In Tasmania
• Abyilene McGuire – Senior Environmental Health Officer – Kingborough Council

In Victoria
• Councillor Yvonne Jennings – Swan Hill Rural City Council
• Fiona Hodges – GM Community Wellbeing – Cardinia Shire
• Noelene Duff – CEO – City of Whitehorse

In South Australia
• Jane Fetherstonhaugh – Director of Finance and Community Services/ Dep. CEO – District Council of Grant
• Tanya Hook – Project officer – City of Tea tree Gully
• Councillor Angela Keneally – City of Charles Sturt
• Rebecca Thomas – General Manager City Services – City of Holdfast Bay.
Steering Committee Chairman, Mr. Ray Pincombe, said “The task before the selection panel was a very difficult one, with over 60 outstanding nominations received. These ambassadors provide a great representation of the varied roles and responsibilities that exist within local government. Each ambassador is committed to promoting the advancement of women within the sector, both in management and at the council level and they have great stories to tell about their own personal journeys in local government”.
The topic of women in local government and in particular women in management and leadership positions in local government has been around for a long time. All levels of government are acutely aware of the barriers facing women, yet nationally only a handful of councils are addressing the issue.   Currently women in senior management roles represent only 20% of the local government workforce; a representation that has not changed since 1996.  Only 5% of chief executives or general managers are women, and women represent less than 30% of all elected members.

For more information contact Roni Beauchamp on + 61 3 9682 9222 / 0448 810 660